MUDSOCK YOUTH ATHLETICS LEADERS TALK REBRAND & COMMUNITY COMMITMENT Writer / Jon Shoulders Photography Provided
Residents throughout the greater Fishers area might have noticed Mudsock Youth Athletics (MYA), the primary local outlet for non-school youth sports programming, recently underwent a rebrand from its former moniker, S.P.O.R.T.S. Executive Director Scott Spillman says the rebrand decision came from a collective desire among the organization’s leaders to clarify its voice in the community as a nonprofit provider of a wide range of athletic programs. MYA was founded in 1987 by a group of locals representing various single-sport leagues with the intention of creating an organization that benefited the youth in Fishers and in the Hamilton Southeastern school district. At the time, the town population was approximately 2,000 people. Today, Fishers has nearly 90,000
people and MYA typically sees more than 10,000 registrations for its various sports programs annually.
members, collaborated with a local branding company throughout 2019 in the process of rebranding.
“Through this extensive research, it became clear that a rename and new logo was necessary to reflect how our organization has evolved and to more accurately highlight “Despite our growth, our mission has stayed the services and programs we offer,” the same since we began - to foster character Lawrence says. “While the Mudsock name development, leadership skills and physical is used more recently to highlight the yearly fitness in the youth of our community,” competitions between the two high schools, Assistant Director Beth Lawrence says. “We our commitment to the community is more are proud that Mudsock Youth Athletics about collaboration and working closely is now the largest volunteer organization with both the City of Fishers and the HSE in Fishers with more than 2,000 people School District.” investing their time over the course of the year. Every position - our coaches, Spillman says MYA leaders reached out commissioner and league boards - is filled to parents and participants for thoughts by volunteers.” on both the organization itself and any particular words or phrases that bring to mind youth sports programs. Leaders MYA board and staff members, along with decided on a new logo they felt included coaches, parents and other community Throughout the past 30 years, MYA has grown to include 11 sports options with 12 member leagues.
AUGUST 2020
