You Always Find Your Way Back Home: How Hillard City School District Achieved Seamless Ticketing with Hometown
Hilliard City School District sought a reliable and efficient ticketing solution for their athletic events to accommodate thousands of fans. After experiencing challenges with another provider, the school returned to Hometown, a platform known for its exceptional customer service and dependable technology. The decision proved to be instrumental in ensuring smooth operations and a better experience for both staff and community. Their Challenges A few years ago, Hilliard switched from Hometown to another provider in an attempt to explore alternative solutions. Unfortunately, the switch led to numerous problems, including: Technical failures: Equipment often malfunctioned, especially during high-traffic events, causing frustration for staff and fans. Self-scan complexities: The lack of scanning options created confusion for spectators and ticketing staff. Cumbersome interface: Fans found the online ticket purchase process difficult to navigate. After enduring these challenges for a year, Hilliard decided to return to Hometown. Marking an Impact The return to Hometown had an immediate and positive impact on Hilliard City School District’s event management: Reliable technology ensured smooth ticketing operations, even during high-attendance events. Hometown’s exceptional customer service provided immediate troubleshooting—critical for Friday night football games with up to 5,000 fans. The platform’s user-friendly interface made it easy for fans to purchase tickets online, reducing confusion and complaints. “Hometown has always been a call away, and their customer service is the best. On a Friday night football game with 5,000 fans, it’s comforting to know you can call and get immediate help.” – Chris Ludban, Assistant Athletic Director at Hilliard High School The Results By returning to Hometown, Hilliard achieved: Streamlined operations: One ticketing provider for all events eliminated confusion and inefficiency. Better fan experience: Fans enjoyed an easy-to-use online platform for purchasing tickets. Reliable technology: An iOS- and Android-friendly app and responsive customer support ensured smooth ticketing, even during the busiest events. Hilliard’s experience underscores the importance of choosing a ticketing provider that prioritizes reliability, user experience, and exceptional customer service. For them, Hometown proved to be the perfect partner, delivering consistent results and peace of mind. “There’s no comparison between the two companies—Hometown just does it better… PERIOD.” – Chris Ludban, Assistant Athletic Director at Hilliard High School
Hometown Spotlight | Jeff Whisler: MSHSL
HOMETOWN SPOTLIGHT | MARCH 2025 Organization: Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Secretary of Region 4AA: Jeff WhislerHometown is excited to announce March spotlight, Jeff Whisler and MSHSL. About My name is Jeff Whisler. I’m currently the Secretary for Region 4AA, part of the Minnesota State High School League. I spent 38 years in education, starting as a teacher and administrator before transitioning to an activities director. I served as the activities director for 14 years at Monte School District and later for 6 years at Roseville Area High School, retiring in 2018. After retirement, I took on my current role, where I oversee section tournaments, manage finances, and support schools in our region. How you use Hometown? As Region Secretary, I work closely with schools to organize and run section tournaments, and tools like Hometown (or Schoolfundr) help streamline processes like handling event logistics and managing funds efficiently. What is your favorite Hometown feature? I appreciate features that simplify financial management, such as systems for paying officials and processing tournament expenses. It keeps everything organized and reduces administrative headaches. Fun fact After 37 years in education, I’m retired but still busy! I’m married to my high school sweetheart, and we love spending our mornings with our 2-year-old grandson. Stepping into my role as a region secretary has been a perfect fit—it keeps me connected with schools and students and allows me to stay involved in high school athletics, which has always been a passion of mine.
The Hidden Costs of Paper Ticketing in School Sports: Why It’s Time to Go Digital
For many school athletic programs, paper ticketing and cash-only sales have long been the standard way of doing business. But while this process may seem simple, the hidden costs can add up quickly – impacting your staff, your revenue, and your community. Here’s a breakdown of the four most critical hidden costs, and how to combat them. Hidden Cost #1: Increased Personnel Managing cash boxes at the gate requires extra staff, increases the risk of clerical errors, and slows down fan entry. When the final buzzer sounds, reconciling cash takes even more time, and transporting deposits to the bank adds another layer of work and risk. These steps might sound all too familiar if you have been taking a cash-only approach. Digital operations not only make the attendee experience better, your staff no longer has to worry about staying late to count cash and deposit funds. The ability to reconcile your funds nearly instantly means less time spent on manual accounting, fewer errors, and complete financial transparency – giving your team peace of mind and getting you back home shortly after the event is over. “As someone who is always the first to enter and the last to leave the stadium on Friday nights, I can honestly say that before we started using Hometown, I’d often be there until midnight. Now, I can leave [early] because of the streamlined reporting – it saves me from having to go to the bank.” – Beth Smith, Athletic Secretary at Wylie ISD Hidden Cost #2: Security and Accountability Risks Cash transactions can come with security concerns such as missing funds or potential theft. With digital ticketing, every sale is tracked and accounted for, reducing the chance of financial discrepancies and ensuring accountability across all touchpoints. This shift can enable schools to enhance the safety at each entry point, giving their staff peace of mind before, during and after the game. “The switch helped our district recover lost revenue during critical seasons. The revenue generated has been reinvested in student programs, creating a positive impact throughout the district.” – Jay Govan, Assistant Athletic Director at Northside ISD Hidden Cost #3: Fewer Ticket Sales & Revenue Event attendees today expect simple, contactless options. Cash-only ticketing can be inconvenient for these event goers, discouraging attendance from those who prefer mobile payment options. A digital system allows fans to buy tickets in advance, reducing last-minute stress at the gate. This keeps stands packed and recurring fans happy. Hidden Cost #4: Lack of Reporting Visibility Paper ticketing doesn’t offer schools real-time event insights, which can lead to capacity challenges and heightened security risks. Digital ticketing provides instant reporting, giving your staff the visibility they need to manage capacity, track revenue, analyze trends, and even make informed decisions for future events. Struggling to get buy-in for digital ticketing? This quick guide helps athletic directors effectively engage with their school administration to make the case for a seamless ticketing solution. Download it now! DOWNLOAD NOW “Transitioning to Hometown helped centralize how the district operates and it was a game changer for logistics and operations, allowing them to sell over 400% more season tickets than in previous years.” – Lance Moffet, Athletic Director at Hays CISD Hometown Is Here For Your Community By streamlining event operations, your staff will spend less time on manual tasks and more time enhancing game-day experiences for your dedicated community. Plus, digital ticketing can significantly improve required financial compliance, ensuring transparency at every level from purchase to scan to collection. Offering a digital-first ticketing system isn’t just about modernizing – it’s about making your athletic program more efficient, more secure, and more reliable for everyone. Ready to make the switch? Book a free demo to learn how digital ticketing can maximize revenue for your school and improve the fan experience. BOOK A MEETING
Choosing the Best Ticketing Partner: Expert Tips from Corpus Christi ISD
Managing athletic events for a large school district is no small task. For Corpus Christi Independent School District (ISD)—which oversees six high schools, 11 middle schools, and two stadiums, including a historic venue from the Great Depression—the challenges of organizing sporting events are immense. Assistant Athletic Director Michael Keel shares how adopting Hometown transformed their processes, from ticketing efficiency to audit compliance, while keeping fans satisfied. The Challenge: Inefficient Ticketing and Audit Risks Before Hometown, Corpus Christi ISD struggled with an outdated ticketing system. Their previous provider failed to deliver detailed reports, causing issues during audits and leaving the district financially vulnerable. “As a data nerd, I value transparent and detailed reporting—The lack of clarity in reports from the previous provider was a major issue and drove us to search for a better solution.” – Michel Keel, Assistant Athletic Director at Corpus Christi ISD The Solution: Hometown’s Game-Changing Features Hometown quickly solved Corpus Christi ISD’s challenges with its advanced reporting and user-friendly platform. The district saw immediate improvements in efficiency, transparency, and audit readiness. Key Benefits of Hometown: Detailed Reporting: Hometown’s reports satisfied auditors and made financial processes seamless. Ease of Use: The platform is intuitive, even for non-technical users, ensuring smooth operations. Real-Time Support: During a regional soccer tournament with 17 lightning delays, Hometown’s support team helped extend ticketing times within minutes, avoiding logistical chaos. “The reports from Hometown are the easiest I’ve ever seen. They’ve made everything more efficient and transparent for our auditors and finance team.” – Michel Keel, Assistant Athletic Director at Corpus Christi ISD Flexibility and Advanced Features Hometown’s flexibility is another standout feature. The platform accommodates complex needs, such as: Custom Ticketing: Prevent opposing teams from buying out seats during playoff games. Stadium Management: Simplify season ticket sales for two vastly different stadiums, one of which is a historic landmark. “The ability to customize and secure ticketing options has been crucial for us.” – Michel Keel, Assistant Athletic Director at Corpus Christi ISD Real-Time Support in Action Hometown’s exceptional support was tested during a regional soccer tournament plagued by lightning delays. Despite being new to the platform, Keel was able to extend ticketing times and re-enter fans without issue, thanks to real-time assistance. “Anything I couldn’t figure out, their team fixed within minutes. Without their support, the delays could have cost the district money and caused a logistical nightmare.” – Michel Keel, Assistant Athletic Director at Corpus Christi ISD Key Questions for Choosing a Ticketing Provider Keel offers advice for schools and districts evaluating ticketing solutions. He recommends focusing on these key factors: Report Quality: Does the platform provide detailed, transparent reports for audits and financial needs? Real-Time Support: Can the provider offer immediate help during events to resolve issues quickly? Ease of Use: Is the platform intuitive for all staff, technical or not? Hometown checked all these boxes for Corpus Christi ISD, significantly reducing administrative burdens and improving event management. Conclusion: A Reliable Partner for School Districts For Corpus Christi ISD, Hometown has proven to be more than just a platform—it’s a reliable partner. From simplifying event management to ensuring financial transparency and meeting the unique challenges of running events at two very different stadiums, the platform has addressed key pain points and elevated the district’s operations. “As an administrator, I don’t have to be in the system all the time,—yet, I know it’s reliable, easy to use, and backed by real-time support. That’s what makes Hometown stand out.” – Michel Keel, Assistant Athletic Director at Corpus Christi ISD If your school district is searching for a ticketing solution, take it from Corpus Christi ISD—Hometown is worth considering. The ease, efficiency, and support it provides could be exactly what your district needs to streamline event management and ensure success.
Hometown Spotlight | Roderick Smothers: Alabama A&M
HOMETOWN SPOTLIGHT | FEBRUARY 2025 School: Alabama A&M Assistant Athletic Director: Roderick SmothersHometown is excited to announce February spotlight, Roderick Smothers and Alabama A&M. ABOUT Roderick With a strong focus on athletics throughout his career, Roderick has always been involved in either athletics or education. He found his calling in administration athletics, where he has the opportunity to educate and mentor student-athletes—something he has a strong passion for. A Life in Athletics As a person that played sports growing up, Roderick was always curious as to what happens on the opposite side of competition. His blood, sweat, and tears throughout the years have been to position himselt to give that back to the next generation of student athletes. “It actually helps me now that I’m on the administration side of athletics, building those student relationships that help them grow on a daily basis. – Roderick Smothers, Assistant Athletic Director How Alabama A&M uses Hometown Transitioning to the Hometown has allowed Alabama A&M to modernize and streamline their processes. Aside from athletic events, they also use Hometown for student body events, comedy shows, and concerts. Hometown allows students to be more self-sufficient, giving them an easy and efficient way to engage with campus events. “Hometown provides us with simple and effective solutions to both everyday challenges and complex problems, and helps us keep everything running smoothly.” – Roderick Smothers, Assistant Athletic Director
Breaking Barriers: Tony Fisher’s Journey of Sports, Leadership, and Inclusion
From a young age, sports have always been a cornerstone of Tony Fisher’s identity. Growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a small, young boy with a big love for the game. His dad, a dedicated Milwaukee Bucks fan, had season tickets, and they rarely went to a game without each other. The arena back then, known as The Mecca, wasn’t just a place to watch basketball; it was a magical experience that fueled Tony’s love for sports. One of the best parts about The Mecca was how accessible the players were. After the games, he would head down to where the players exited the locker rooms, separated from the fans by nothing more than a yellow painted line. He’d eagerly wait, pennant in hand, hoping to snag a high five, a handshake, or even a signature. His goal at every game was to buy a pennant of the visiting team and collect autographs from the players as they walked out. Over time, he built an incredible collection. Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Dr. J, Moses Malone just to name a few. But the most memorable moment of all was when Tony got Michael Jordan’s signature. “I followed him outside the stadium as he was boarding the bus, looked up at him with wide, hopeful eyes, and asked him to sign my pennant. He paused, already on the bus, and signed it. That moment completed my collection and solidified my love for the game.” Basketball wasn’t just something he watched; but lived. Tony’s backyard had a basketball court, and even during Wisconsin’s harsh winters, he’d shovel the snow off the driveway and shoot free throws with gloves on. “Sports became more than a hobby; they became a way of life. They taught me discipline, gave me purpose, and became a source of endless joy.” After college, Tony’s passion for sports led him to coaching which was inspired by his desire to guide his younger brothers through high school basketball and ensure fair opportunities for them. Hopeful to eliminate the politics players experience and focused on giving talented athletes, regardless of their age, the chance to compete at the highest level. Starting at his alma mater, Milwaukee Lutheran High School, where he could stay connected to the game and inspire young athletes. “Coaching wasn’t just about teaching skills; it was about passing on the love and life lessons that sports had given me.” Today, Tony still carries the competitive spirit and love for sports in everything he does. Whether it’s playing, coaching, or simply watching a game, sports remain a vital part of his life. They’ve shaped who he is, taught him resilience, and given him memories he’ll cherish forever. Without sports,Tony isn’t sure where he’d be—and honestly, he wouldn’t want to find out. “Greatness isn’t just about reaching the pinnacle; it’s about what you do when you get there.” While as an assistant coach at his alma mater in 1999, Tony’s mission evolved to impact as many young athletes as possible. Over eight years, his coaching extended beyond his brothers, as he built relationships with players from multiple classes. Eventually, he became a head coach and athletic director, leaving a career in graphic design to fully commit to athletics. Throughout his career, Tony navigated cultural differences and challenges, always focused on fostering success and unity across their teams and programs. His unique background in marketing communication allowed him to bring innovative branding and organizational skills to athletic administration. Tony developed visually appealing templates, maintained up-to-date websites, and implemented branding strategies that impressed colleagues. This meticulous approach led to a leadership role in the Florida Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (FIAA), where he served as the marketing and sponsorship chair, securing record-breaking sponsorship funds and designing the organization’s logo and website. Additionally, as a co-founder of the NOMAD initiative during the aftermath of the George Floyd tragedy, Tony embraced his role in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within athletic administration. By leveraging his position and expertise, he worked to make a meaningful difference in addressing social justice issues through sports. This journey exemplifies Tony’s commitment to combining his skills and passion for athletics to create positive, lasting impacts on students and the broader community. Tony’s involvement with the National Organization of Minority Athletic Directors (NOMAD) first began when he noticed a logo for the Black Athletic Directors Association (BADA) in an email signature. After inquiring, he learned BADA was more of an informal group with untapped potential. Recognizing the need for a formalized organization to support underrepresented athletic administrators, Tony collaborated with others to create NOMAD. NOMAD’s mission is to close gaps in resources, education, and opportunities for minority athletic administrators. The group focuses on providing tools, networking, and partnerships to level the playing field between underrepresented schools and their suburban counterparts. For example, Tony observed disparities in access to innovations like digital ticketing, which some suburban schools implemented early during the pandemic. NOMAD aims to bridge such gaps by connecting members with knowledge and resources they might not otherwise access, particularly through events like the National Conference. Additionally, NOMAD was established as a platform to empower and uplift minority athletic administrators, ensuring they can better serve their schools and communities while staying competitive in a rapidly evolving field. With nearly 800 members, the organization demonstrates a clear demand for its initiatives. NOMAD provides resources like webinars, professional development opportunities, and a hospitality suite at the National Conference, where networking and mentorship thrive. NOMAD offers scholarships for student-athletes of its members, particularly focusing on children of color who often miss out on broader opportunities like scholarships. The NOMAD scholarship application is designed to mirror the NIAAA’s, making it easier for applicants to apply for both. This dual application process doubles the chances for financial support and recognition while emphasizing diversity’s importance in high school athletics. Furthermore, NOMAD’s mission is to close equity gaps in representation and resources by empowering and educating underrepresented administrators, ensuring their schools and communities thrive through improved access and
Hometown Spotlight | January: Plano ISD
HOMETOWN SPOTLIGHT | JANUARY 2025 School: Plano ISD Athletic Director: Lonnie Jordan Hometown is excited to announce January spotlight, Lonnie Jordan and Plano ISD. ABOUT LONNIE Before transitioning to athletic administration, Lonnie was the Head Football Coach at Lake Highlands High School in Richardson ISD, where he oversaw all aspects of the budget, facilities, support staff, programs, and coaching for the high school as well as two feeder junior high schools. Prior to his time at Richardson ISD, he served as both the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Lone Oak High School. With 29 years of experience in high school athletics, he has developed a broad expertise both on the field and behind the scenes. From Coach to Athletic Director Coach Jordan was appointed Athletic Director in April 2024. He joins the district after serving in leadership roles at Highland Park ISD and Richardson ISD, where he held the positions of Athletic Director and Athletic Coordinator. In his role as Athletic Director, Coach Jordan is responsible for overseeing the district’s athletic budgeting and programming, including managing facilities renovations, and was an active member of the superintendent’s cabinet. How Plano ISD Uses Hometown Plano ISD, a long-time client of Hometown, is a large district that uses digital ticketing for athletics, performing arts, and student activities throughout the district. “Hometown has simplified event logistics, allowing for better revenue tracking and reporting. Previously, event management was fraught with uncertainties, but the transition to Hometown has made the process seamless.” – Lonnie Jordan, Athletic Director
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
