Hometown Highlights from NADC 2024
The 2024 National Athletic Directors Conference (NADC) in Austin, TX was an unforgettable experience for Hometown, packed with opportunities to connect, celebrate, and give back. Here’s a look back at the highlights from this year’s event. Celebrating Our Customers At Hometown, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. During NADC, we proudly recognized their outstanding achievements through the Hometown Customer Awards. These awards celebrate the schools, districts, and Athletic Directors who’ve made a significant impact in their communities, embracing innovation to enhance the fan experience. Trailblazer of the Year: Jeff Chaney, Allen ISD (TX) MVP: Tonisha Montgomery, Baltimore City Schools (MD) Rookie of the Year: Dr. Matthew Baltz, Easton Area High School (PA) Team of the Year: Round Rock ISD (TX) Read more about our award winners and their inspiring stories! Exciting Announcements Did you hear the news? Hometown Ticketing and Schoolfundr have come together as Hometown, a unified platform dedicated to empowering schools, students, and communities. With a shared mission to provide schools with the tools they need to promote events, raise funds, and engage their communities, Hometown combines the strengths of event management, ticketing, and fee-free fundraising and communication tools — all in one place. This partnership allows us to serve over 17,000 schools and organizations nationwide, creating an even greater impact for students, educators, and their communities. Read more about the exciting announcement here. Hometown Giveaways The excitement didn’t stop there! We held two show-stopping raffles: Apple Watch: Congratulations to Kevin Coleman, Supervisor of Student Services at Chesapeake Public Schools! Therabody SmartGoggles and $1,000 fundraising donation: Congratulations to Steve Guadalupe, Athletic Trainer at Arlington ISD! We’re excited to see your school’s next fundraiser exceed their goal soon! NADC Door Prize Winners Hometown also brought some extra cheer to the conference with top-notch door prizes. Amazon Echo Dot: Congratulations to Tammy Gunby, Assistant to the Director of Communications at Rich Township High School District 227! YETI Cooler: Congratulations to Henry Pope, Director of Athletics at Birmingham City Schools! Reflecting on an Incredible Event NADC 2024 was a testament to the incredible work Athletic Directors do every day to support student-athletes and their communities. We are honored to be part of this vibrant community and look forward to continuing to serve and innovate alongside you. If you missed us in Austin, TX and want to learn more about our latest solutions, visit our NADC page or find a time that’s right for you to meet with us. Here’s to another year of empowering athletic programs across the country!
Peach Belt Conference Championship Ticketing with Hometown
A Passion for Sports and a Journey into Athletics Cameron Wissle, the Director of External Operations at the Peach Belt Conference, has spent the last four years overseeing ticketing for 18 annual championship events, spanning men’s, women’s sports competitions. The conference has institutions located primarily in Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. His journey into sports administration is rooted in a deep passion for athletics. Growing up in an athletic family, he was exposed to sports from an early age. His mom played college basketball, and his dad played volleyball, setting the stage for Cameron to get involved in every sport imaginable — baseball, basketball, soccer, and even golf. By the time he got to college, Cameron knew he wanted to stay close to sports, but he wasn’t sure how. After some encouragement from his parents to get a business degree, he found his niche working for his university’s athletic department. Cameron’s role in the athletic department eventually led him to become the President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a responsibility that eventually brought him into the world of conference-level athletics. Simplifying Game-Day Operations Recognizing an opportunity for improvement, Cameron set out to modernize the ticketing process and enhance the overall fan experience. Cameron’s primary responsibility is overseeing ticketing for the conference’s 18 championship events each year. This involves a wide variety of tasks, from setting up online ticketing platforms to managing attendance tracking and ensuring a smooth event-day experience for fans. What’s particularly interesting about his role is that ticketing for these events isn’t just about selling tickets — it’s about managing the entire fan experience. Although some fans and schools were initially hesitant about moving away from in-person cash sales, the transition has now become a standard practice across most of the institutions in the conference. “We’re a conference that does online ticketing only, and while that transition was challenging at first, it’s made things a lot easier over the last few years. As more of our schools implemented online ticketing themselves, it made our events run much smoother.” The Technology The Powers Ticketing: Hometown To manage the conference’s online ticketing, Cameron and his team rely on Hometown, which allows event organizers to handle ticket sales, distribution, and scanning all in one place. According to Cameron, the process is simple, efficient, and saves his team valuable time. The Hometown system lets Cameron and his team create ticket sites well in advance of events. The basics — dates, times, and titles — are entered first, and as details like venue information or opponents are finalized, the ticketing site can be updated in real time. The ease of updating event details is a game-changer, especially when there’s uncertainty around things like the hosting location or final opponent. “Once we know the details, we can quickly update everything. If there’s a change — like a rain delay or a venue switch — I can update the ticket information in minutes, ensuring everything runs smoothly for our fans and staff.” For him, this seamless technology integration isn’t just about saving time, it’s also about improving the experience for attendees. Fans can access tickets quickly via QR codes or direct links shared on social media and event websites. There’s no need for complicated in-person transactions — everything can be done on their phones. Managing Challenges and Finding Solutions Cameron recalls one memorable incident occurred during a rain delay at a baseball championship event. What could have been a stressful situation was made much easier thanks to the Hometown support team. “We had to handle a rainout, and there were all these logistical questions. The game’s rescheduled, and we had to manage how to get the right tickets to the right people. We called our support rep at 7:30 at night, and he walked us through the entire process, even though it was late. That kind of support made all the difference when time was tight, and we had to get the ticketing sorted out quickly.” Using Data to Drive Improvement Another important aspect of Cameron’s job is analyzing ticket sales data. With Hometown, Cameron can track how many tickets have been sold, how many fans have scanned in, and the overall attendance rate. This data is not only valuable for reporting purposes but also helps the conference make better decisions for future events. “We’re able to use this data to track how our championships are performing. It helps us plan for merchandise sales, staffing, and even attendance expectations for future events. For example, if we see that we’re hitting a high percentage of scanned tickets early on, we can make decisions about staffing levels at the gates. Or, if we’re seeing low sales at certain venues, we can adjust our promotional strategies.” Looking Ahead: A Busy Year of Championships As Cameron wraps up another successful championship season, he’s already preparing for the spring events that are just around the corner. The first championship event of the year is slated for late February, followed by basketball in March, and a packed schedule thereafter. Cameron Wissle’s role as Director of External Operations is multifaceted and critical to the success of every championship event. From managing online ticketing to troubleshooting on the fly, Cameron’s attention to detail and commitment to improving the fan experience ensures that everything runs smoothly. With the help of tools like Hometown and a dedicated support team, Cameron and his colleagues are able to focus on what matters most: delivering unforgettable experiences for the student-athletes and fans alike. As the Peach Belt Conference continues to grow and evolve, Cameron’s work behind the scenes will be crucial to ensuring that ticketing, fan engagement, and event management remain streamlined and efficient — all while keeping that love for sports at the heart of everything he does.
Transforming Athletics with Hometown in Dorchester School District 2
Tyronee Drakeford’s journey through athletics and leadership has been one marked by a commitment to excellence, from his NFL career to his pivotal roles in youth sports and now as the District Athletic Director for Dorchester School District 2. His deep passion for athletics and youth development shines through in every role he’s taken on. Now, in his third year overseeing athletic programs for three high schools and seven middle schools in South Carolina, Tyrone credits much of his success to the partnership with Hometown, which has transformed how he and his team manage game-day operations and ticketing. From NFL Player to Athletic Director After retiring from the NFL, where he played as a standout athlete, he pivoted to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where he served as an executive director and later as the Region Athletic Director overseeing eight clubs. His transition into high school athletics was a natural one, given his vast experience coaching at every level, from youth leagues to the pros. It was clear that athletics had been woven into his DNA long before he took on the role of overseeing one of the largest school district athletic programs in South Carolina. Navigating the Challenges of COVID-19 When Tyronne joined Dorchester 2, it was just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, radically changing the way sports and events were conducted. The immediate shift to online operations presented a significant challenge for the district, particularly in the realm of ticketing and event management. However, Tyronne’s experience with managing large-scale athletic events, combined with his ability to adapt quickly, led him to find a solution that would allow his team to safely and efficiently manage the influx of spectators while maintaining the high standards expected by his community. That’s when Hometown entered the picture. As the district moved toward a more digital-first approach for ticketing, the flexibility and ease that Hometown offered were game changers. The Impact of Hometown “Having the access and the ability to do online ticketing made our jobs a lot easier and safer,” Tyronne recalls. At a time when health concerns were top of mind, the ability to transition to digital ticketing not only ensured a safer environment but also streamlined the entire process—from ticket sales to entry. Hometown provided the tools that allowed Tyronne and his staff to maintain control over large events with minimal stress. His district, with three of the largest high schools in the state, was now operating on a single platform that allowed for smooth coordination across multiple venues and teams. “It just made everything so much easier. We went from managing everything manually to having it all in one place,” says Tyronne. His team could easily upload schedules, assign staff, and coordinate ticket sales seamlessly, even if competing teams were also using Hometown for their own events. Simplifying Game-Day Operations Managing the logistics of high school athletic events is no small feat, especially in a district with over 3,500 students at each of the high schools and 1,200 students at each middle school. For Tyronne, the challenge wasn’t just in ensuring that tickets were sold and entry was efficient—it was also about ensuring that his staff, coaches, and volunteers had the tools they needed to handle the pressures of game days. iPads, card readers, and a user-friendly platform enabled his staff to scan tickets quickly and accurately, allowing the focus to stay on the athletes and the games, rather than the mechanics of managing event entry. Whether it’s a football game or a multi-team event, Hometown’s ticketing system has given Tyronne’s team the flexibility they need to run their events smoothly. “When we have a jamboree or a large event, we don’t have to worry about mailing physical tickets. Everything can be handled online, and people can pay easily through their phones or credit cards.” Fostering Community Engagement Beyond making game-day operations more efficient, Hometown also played a key role in increasing community engagement. Tyronne and his team know that getting students, parents, and local community members to attend sporting events requires more than just a schedule—it requires proactive communication. Tyronne’s team uses multiple channels to promote events, including social media, district-wide networks, and, notably, loudspeaker announcements throughout schools. “We found that promoting games over the intercom and social media makes a huge difference in attendance. It’s about making it easy and accessible for everyone,” he says. The district’s unified approach, with all schools using the same platform for ticketing, has helped streamline communications, making it easier for families to find information on games and events. The Benefits of a Streamlined, Digital System One of the most significant changes that Hometown brought to Dorchester 2 was the ease of reporting and financial tracking. “In the past, we’d have to count everything by hand, but now, the system automatically generates reports,” Tyronne explains. The automated process saves his team valuable time and ensures that everything is accounted for without manual intervention. The simplicity of using one system for all district events, from regular season games to playoffs, has allowed Tyronne to focus on what truly matters—supporting athletes and fostering a positive athletic culture. Additionally, the revenue-sharing options provided by HomeTown have proven to be a huge benefit for events like the football jamboree, where tickets are sold across multiple schools. A Future Built on Efficiency and Collaboration Looking ahead, Tyronne is focused on continuing to evolve the district’s athletic programs while ensuring that the tools his staff uses remain efficient and reliable. With the help of Hometown as a trusted partner, he feels confident that the district will continue to meet the needs of athletes, coaches, and the community. “We’ve been able to save money, reduce manual labor, and make the whole process smoother, and the best part is that it’s easy to share the success with others. I can tell another district AD, ‘Here’s what we’re doing, here’s how it works,’ and it’s as simple as that.” For Tyronne, the partnership with Hometown has been a
Hometown Ticketing and Schoolfundr Join Forces to Empower Schools and Drive Student Success Beyond the Classroom
The combined business, Hometown, will power the extracurricular programs for 17,000 schools, colleges, and community organizations with a suite of event management, ticketing, fundraising, and communication tools. COLUMBUS, OHIO and ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA – DEC. 11, 2024—(PR Newswire)—Hometown Ticketing, a Nexa Equity portfolio company, and Schoolfundr announced today that the two companies merged to create a unified platform of complementary event management, ticketing, fundraising and communication tools purpose-built for schools. The companies will unite as Hometown (www.hometown.com) with the mission of empowering their customers with resources to support extracurricular programs, build stronger connections with their communities, and generate the funds needed to create lasting impact for students. Hometown will serve over 17,000 schools, colleges, associations, and community organizations, impacting more than 50 million students and supporters nationwide while driving over $1.3 billion of impact for schools and local communities. “Our shared passion is to amplify the impact we have on the schools and communities our customers call home,” said Hometown’s CEO Nick Mirisis. “At Hometown, our goal is to help schools achieve three objectives: promote events effectively, increase revenue, and foster community engagement. Unlike one-size-fits-all platforms, we offer schools the flexibility to choose the tools that work best for them. By combining Hometown Ticketing’s event management expertise with Schoolfundr’s fee-free best-in-class fundraising platform, we’re enabling schools to raise awareness, generate revenue, and create memorable experiences for students—on their own terms.” Innovating Ticketing and Event Management for Schools Since its launch in 2016, Hometown Ticketing has become a trusted leader in digital ticketing and event management for schools. Designed specifically for educational communities, Hometown Ticketing’s seamless, paperless platform empowers schools to promote events, streamline ticket sales, and manage gate entry with efficiency and transparency. Thousands of schools rely on Hometown’s customizable tools, including real-time reporting, mobile-friendly solutions, and personalized event pages, to maximize revenue and create exceptional event experiences. By simplifying event operations, Hometown Ticketing helps schools strengthen community engagement and deliver memorable moments for students, families, and supporters. Revolutionizing School Fundraising Since its launch in 2022, Schoolfundr has rapidly become the fastest growing K-12 fundraising company. Its fee-free, purpose-built platform has disrupted traditional fundraising models by allowing schools to raise more and keep what they raise. In the past year alone, nearly 2,000 schools have adopted Schoolfundr’s tool to enable district administrators, athletic directors, and coaches to manage, approve, track and run fundraisers with ease and transparency. By generating revenue exclusively through optional donor tips and passing on only standard credit card processing fees, Schoolfundr ensures schools retain all the funds they raise, unlike competitors who often take up to 20% of donations. “Schoolfundr was founded with a commitment to transparency and simplicity in fundraising,” said Dennis Levene, founder of Schoolfundr. “Joining forces with Hometown Ticketing allows us to expand that mission while integrating our fee-free model into a broader platform that serves thousands of school communities,” “Together, we’ll help schools raise more than ever while keeping everything they raise, providing them with the resources they need to focus on what matters most: creating engaging and memorable extracurricular experiences for students.” Introducing Hometown Engage Hometown also unveiled plans to launch Hometown Engage, a new website and communication hub set to debut in early 2025. While not required to access Hometown’s event management, ticketing or fundraising platforms, Hometown Engage provides schools with tools to manage their websites and communications while integrating seamlessly with ticketing and fundraising as well as adding links to the streaming service of their choice. This creates additional opportunities to raise awareness, deepen community connections, and manage online presence—all at no additional cost to schools or districts. “It’s no secret that resources for schools are stretched thin, threatening the sustainability of athletics, performing arts, and other essential programs,” Mirisis said. “As financial pressure on schools increases, fee-free online fundraising and website tools built specifically for the education sector, and easy to use event management and ticketing solutions, will only become more essential to supporting students in their extracurricular pursuits.” Uniting Around a Shared Vision The newly formed Hometown will be led by a combination of leaders from Hometown Ticketing and Schoolfundr, bringing together their collective expertise to deliver innovative, education-focused solutions. Together, they aim to redefine how schools connect with their communities, creating impactful and lasting experiences for students, educators, and supporters. About Hometown Hometown, a Nexa Equity portfolio company, powers the extracurricular programs for 17,000 schools, colleges, and community organizations with event management, ticketing, fundraising, and communication tools. Formed through the merger of Hometown Ticketing and Schoolfundr, the platform combines best-in-class event management and ticketing tools with a fee-free fundraising platform and website management and communication tools to empower its customers to promote events, engage their communities, and raise the funds they need—on their terms. To date, Hometown has driven more than $1.3 billion in impact for schools and local communities. Learn more at www.hometown.com. ABOUT NEXA EXQUITY Nexa Equity is a San Francisco, California-based private equity firm that partners with founder-led, rapidly scaling SaaS companies that address markets underserved by technology to create enduring value for the benefit of its investors and portfolio companies. The firm has more than $400 million in private equity capital under management. The Nexa Equity team brings substantial investing and operational experience to the table and helps management teams professionalize and scale their businesses while driving long-term sustainable growth. For more information, please visit www.nexaequity.com.
Announcing the 2024 Hometown Customer Award Winners
At Hometown, our customers inspire us every day with their dedication, passion, and commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for their communities. The annual Hometown Customer Awards celebrate these achievements by recognizing standout leaders and teams who have made extraordinary strides in leveraging the Hometown platform. We’re thrilled to announce the winners of the Hometown 2024 Customer Awards and share their incredible stories of success… Trailblazer of the Year: Jeff Chaney, Allen ISD (TX) The Trailblazer of the Year Award is presented to a customer who has not only embraced the Hometown platform but has transformed the way they operate through bold, forward-thinking strategies. This award recognizes an individual that has demonstrated significant growth, adaptability, and a commitment to leveraging innovative solutions. This year’s winner: Jeff Chaney, Coordinator of Athletic Facilities at Allen ISD. Faced with a tight timeline, Jeff led Allen ISD’s transition to the Hometown Virtual Box Office just before the fall season. His forward-thinking approach transformed the entire gameday experience including streamlining entry points, reducing gate congestion, and making operations more efficient for gate workers. Jeff’s creativity and commitment to innovation have positioned Allen ISD as a model for operational success. Congratulations to Jeff Chaney! MVP: Tonisha Montgomery, Baltimore City Schools (MD) The MVP Award is dedicated to recognizing a Hometown customer who has shown exceptional commitment and impact. Awarded to an individual who has demonstrated continual success and dedication, this honor celebrates the person who has fully embraced our platform’s capabilities, driving both their program’s success and Hometown’s mission forward. This year’s winner: Tonisha Montgomery, Coordinator of Athletics at Baltimore City Schools. As the primary events stakeholder, Tonisha works to ensure seamless events operations across the district. Her exceptional communication skills and proactive mindset have set her team up to fully maximize the Hometown platform’s impact, enabling smooth and efficient gamedays not just for her staff, but for the surrounding community. Tonisha’s ability to empower her athletic staff and optimize Hometown’s capabilities has made her an invaluable partner. We are proud to recognize Tonisha for her incredible contributions and leadership. Rookie of the Year: Dr. Matthew Baltz, Easton Area High School (PA) The Rookie of the Year Award celebrates a customer who is new to the Hometown community that has demonstrated exceptional skill in quickly adopting the platform. This award honors a customer who joined us within the past year and has shown impressive achievements in implementation, quickly showcasing the impact of Hometown’s solutions. Their early success reflects a commitment to innovation and growth. This year’s winner: Dr. Matthew Baltz, Director of Athletics at Easton Area High School. From football season tickets to ticketing for band events, performing arts, and even faculty iPad sales, Dr. Baltz’s team has integrated Hometown across a variety of departments at their district – creating a consistent event experience for their community. Their proactive approach and eagerness to learn have made them a standout partner. We are proud to honor Dr. Baltz for an outstanding first year with Hometown and excited to see what’s next for Easton Area High School! Team of the Year: Round Rock ISD (TX) The Team of the Year Award celebrates a Hometown customer that has demonstrated outstanding collaboration, dedication, and results in their use of the Hometown platform. This recognition is awarded to a district whose unified efforts and shared commitment have driven exceptional outcomes for their school and community. By working together and maximizing the platform’s potential, this team has set a high standard for collective success. We’re thrilled to honor this outstanding team for their achievements and inspiring partnership! This year’s winner: Jeff Cheatham, Athletic Director and Tim Lowke, Director of Fine Arts at Round Rock ISD. Both the Athletics and Performing Arts departments have seamlessly integrated Hometown into their operations, streamlining ticketing for events across their district. Their commitment to growth, shared learning, and collaboration has strengthened their impact and made them leaders in event management. Congratulations to the Round Rock ISD team for setting a new standard of excellence. A Heartfelt Thank You to All Our Customers These stories showcase the incredible dedication and innovation of Hometown customers. To Jeff, Tonisha, Dr. Baltz, and the Round Rock ISD team: thank you for inspiring us with your achievements. Here’s to another year of celebrating customer success and the transformative power of teamwork and innovation!
HomeTown Spotlight | December: Bay-Waveland School District
HOMETOWN SPOTLIGHT | DECEMBER 2024 School: Bay-Waveland School District Athletic Director: Zach Ferry HomeTown is excited to announce December spotlight, Zach Ferry and Bay-Waveland School District. ABOUT ZACH Zach has a background in sports, education, and leadership. After coaching and teaching math at Bay High, he joined the U.S. Navy in 2013, specializing in intelligence and earning an Educational Specialist degree. Returning to education in 2019, he became a Math Instructional Coach, Assistant Principal, and later Athletic Director. He now also serves as Alternative School Principal and Career Technical Director. How Bay Saint Louis-Waveland School District uses HomeTown? When Zach became Athletic Director, he quickly identified that many policies were outdated and inefficient. He pushed for change, starting with a switch to digital ticketing using HomeTown, which has been a highly successful decision over the past three years. Now, HomeTown is used for all high school and middle school athletic events, and this year, they are expanding it to include concession sales and events like choir and dance across the district. “In Mississippi, most schools use [a leading competitor] because it’s what the Mississippi High School Activities Association initially promoted. However, I didn’t want to adopt a solution just because “everyone else is doing it.” After researching companies, I found that HomeTown Ticketing was a better fit for Bay High School and the Bay-Waveland School District.” – Zach Ferry, Athletic Director Zach’s favorite HomeTown feature One of Zach’s favorite features of HomeTown is its ease of use and the user-friendly setup. Creating events, managing season passes, generating reports, and handling point-of-sale for products are all streamlined processes. He also appreciates the scan feature, which provides a more secure verification method compared to the self-verification tap used by other digital ticketing solutions. What Zach hopes to leave behind in his career and to his community Zach has a 7-year-old son Liam and a 5-year-old daughter Magnolia, so every decision he makes regarding athletics and education is not just about what’s best for his current students but also for future generations. He hopes to leave a legacy of thoughtful, forward-thinking leadership that benefits both the community and its young people.
