In an exclusive sit-down conversation with Youth Sports Business Report, GoRout CEO Mike Rolih shared the origin story behind one of sports technology’s most successful communication platforms and outlined the company’s strategic approach to serving teams from youth leagues to the NFL.
Key Takeaways
- GoRout now serves over 4,000 teams nationwide, from youth leagues to NFL programs
- Company started after CEO watched chaotic junior college football practice in 2014
- New AWRE Sports partnership provides “Big League” analytics at no extra cost to customers
- Platform eliminates sign stealing concerns through secure, real-time digital communication
- Focus remains on deepening existing football, baseball, and softball markets rather than expansion
From Sideline Observation to Sports Tech Solution
Mike Rolih’s path to founding GoRout began with a simple observation during a junior college football practice. Watching his friend coach at a local JUCO program in 2014, Rolih witnessed what he describes as chaos during the “team” portion of practice, when coaches run opposition plays to prepare for upcoming games.
“I immediately saw that the end goal was to transfer information from those who had it (the coaches) to those who needed it (the players), so they could execute more efficiently, while seeing quality repetitions,” Rolih explained in a recent interview.
The solution became clear: place visual devices on each player to display play diagrams, allowing teams to consume information quickly while maintaining practice pace. This concept evolved into GoRout Scout, the company’s practice solution, and became the foundation for the entire organization.
Scaling Across Competition Levels
From that initial insight, GoRout has grown to serve over 4,000 teams using the platform nearly every day. The customer base spans from youth leagues to major college programs including Alabama, Notre Dame, and Duke, plus NFL teams.
“GoRout is comprised of coaches who are building communication systems for coaches. We’re uniquely positioned to understand what coaches want and the value proposition these types of technologies provide them,” Rolih said.
The company’s growth accelerated significantly with the launch of its Diamond system for baseball and softball. This expansion into diamond sports opened new markets while maintaining the core value proposition of secure, real-time coach-to-player communication.
Analytics Integration Through AWRE Sports Partnership
GoRout recently announced a partnership with AWRE Sports that integrates advanced analytics into the Diamond 2.0 system at no additional cost to customers. The integration transforms simple pitch calls into comprehensive data collection and analysis.
When coaches send a pitch call through GoRout’s system, it simultaneously transmits to players’ digital wristbands and logs the information in the AWRE platform. This captures everything from pitch call tendencies to intended versus actual pitch accuracy data, spray charts, adjusted batting averages, and pitch location metrics.
“The AWRE partnership and technology integration puts a ‘Big League’ analytics department in your pocket,” Rolih explained. Teams can use this data for scouting and player development to ensure proper pitch selection and defensive positioning.
Addressing Security in Digital Sports Communication
Sign stealing has become a significant concern across multiple sports levels, making secure communication increasingly valuable. GoRout’s approach eliminates traditional hand signals through encrypted digital transmission to wearable devices.
The platform operates without requiring WiFi setup, addressing practical concerns about connectivity in various venue types. Rolih acknowledges that maintaining security while preserving simplicity presents ongoing challenges.
“From a product perspective, we focus on what our platform will look like in twelve months, how the technology is evolving and what gaps exist that could enable faster scale or pose potential threats,” he said. “Security is always a top priority, and we work diligently to protect our users’ data, play calls and network connectivity from outside threats.”
Strategic Focus on Vertical Integration
Rather than expanding into new sports, GoRout plans to deepen its presence in existing markets. Rolih sees greater opportunity in vertical integration within football, baseball, and softball rather than horizontal expansion.
“I’m a big believer in vertical integration and the opportunities it creates. If you’re always doing something new, you never truly reach the deepest parts of the product-market fit process,” he explained.
This strategy includes expanding capabilities within current verticals and integrating existing technologies into GoRout’s growing technology stack. The AWRE Sports partnership exemplifies this approach, adding analytics capabilities without moving into entirely new sports categories.
Looking Ahead in Sports Communication Technology
GoRout’s growth from a single practice observation to serving 4,000+ teams demonstrates the market demand for secure, efficient coach-to-player communication. The company’s focus on coach-built solutions and vertical integration positions it to deepen relationships within existing sports rather than chase new market segments.
The AWRE partnership shows how communication platforms can expand value through strategic integrations, providing analytics capabilities that were previously available only to professional organizations. As security concerns continue growing across all competition levels, platforms that solve both communication and data collection needs may find additional growth opportunities.
The emphasis on simplicity, reflected in the “no setup, no WiFi” approach, addresses practical venue limitations that affect teams at every level. This combination of security, simplicity, and expanded analytics capabilities suggests continued growth potential within GoRout’s target markets.
YSBR provides this content on an “as is” basis without any warranties, express or implied. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, legality, reliability, or use of the information, including any images, videos, or licenses associated with this article. For any concerns, including copyright issues or complaints, please contact YSBR directly.
