John Verduin, Bridge MBA*, '18

_{*Now the Early Career MBA}

_{The Jones Idea Challenge
Family Business Exchange}

The idea born on the sidelines of a basketball court

While coaching a struggling team in graduate school, John Verduin saw firsthand how difficult it was for developing players to compete when they were consistently outmatched. Athletes were losing their confidence and their love for the game. What many viewed as an unfortunate reality of competition, he recognized as a clear gap in the market.

John launched DYSports in March 2019, creating basketball tournaments specifically designed for developing teams. The goal was simple but powerful: provide a competitive yet supportive environment where players could continue learning and enjoying the sport.

"If you really want to build something, you have to keep pushing your vision bigger."

A Pivotal Moment

DYSports began as a side project while John was completing his Bridge MBA. He has already confronted common early-stage fears such as raising prices, setting financial goals, and making long-term strategic decisions. John decided to participate in Jones Progress Awards, a business accelerator program that supports alumni and graduating students in ramping up their businesses through grants, coaching, and strategic connections.

That was the first time he had to formally present his business model to external judges. Through the program, John gained access to mentors, attorneys, and industry professionals who helped him professionalize the business.

"The biggest value was the connections. I went from writing contracts myself to hiring professionals to do things right the first time."

Thinking Bigger

"After my final pitch, one of the judges told me, 'You think big, but not big enough. Think until you sweat.' That stuck with me. If you really want to build something, you have to keep pushing your vision bigger," John remembers.

Today, DYSports employs 60 people and operates across eight states, with plans to expand to 15 cities and host more than 5,000 teams by 2026.

As DYSports continues to scale, John has also participated in the Family Business Exchange program. "One of the most important things you can do as an entrepreneur is surround yourself with people who have more experience than you. When you are connected to other founders, you realize your challenges are not unique and that perspective changes everything."