How a Former Rockstar Rebuilt the Business of Youth Sports Travel

When a former rock musician steps in to fix an $11 billion industry problem, you pay attention.

Meet John D’Orsay. Long before he became a tech founder, he spent his late teens and early twenties chasing a career in music. But when the touring life didn’t pan out, he pivoted to his other passion: building software. That shift ended up transforming one of the most overlooked sectors in youth sports.

Back in 2013, as John and his co-founder, Eric, were shuttling their kids across the country for tournaments, they kept running into the same frustrating reality: booking hotels for youth sports travel was a mess. Each event used a different system or no system at all. Families jumped between clunky websites, spreadsheets, and unofficial “group links,” all while knowing they probably weren’t getting the best rates.

So John built a solution.

What started as a simple, free tool to help organizers and families coordinate lodging has since evolved into EventConnect, a platform that centralizes hotel bookings for youth tournaments nationwide.

The model is straightforward but powerful: by aggregating demand from entire teams, EventConnect negotiates lower, guaranteed rates with hotel partners. Families benefit from better pricing, closer proximity to venues, and more reliable amenities. Hotels benefit from thousands of room nights secured months in advance. Tournament operators get real-time reporting and a smoother travel experience for every attending team.

And the market responded fast. Even in its earliest form, EventConnect signed 15 clients within a single month of launching.

But the real significance lies in what the company foreshadowed. When John and Eric started, youth sports travel was still seen as a niche side segment. Today, lodging alone in the youth sports economy represents nearly $11 billion annually a staggering figure for an industry many still underestimate.

Not bad for a former rockstar with a backup plan.

About Youth Sports Business Report

Youth Sports Business Report is the largest and most trusted source for youth sports industry news, insights, and analysis covering the $54 billion youth sports market. Trusted by over 50,000 followers including industry executives, investors, youth sports parents and sports business professionals, we are the premier destination for comprehensive youth sports business intelligence.

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About Play Up Partners

Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.

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Common Questions About Youth Sports Marketing

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