Building Future Leaders Through 44 Sports Connect LLC

The journey of founding 44 Sports Connect LLC began with a vision to empower student-athletes, not just to excel on the field but to thrive in life. When I started this venture, I discovered Haystack Sports, a company offering innovative recruiting software designed to connect student-athletes with college coaches across the country. Recognizing its potential, I signed up with Haystack Sports and launched 44 Sports Recruiting. But for me, this was more than just a recruiting tool—it was a platform to equip and prepare young athletes for their future.

Haystack Sports’ software functions like a digital job resume, allowing athletes to showcase their skills, stats, and highlight videos to over 54,000 coaches. This process teaches athletes critical life skills: how to communicate effectively, stay disciplined, and put in the hard work needed to stand out. Whether they secure a college scholarship or not, these lessons in resilience and professionalism will serve them long after their playing days are over.

Beyond recruiting, 44 Sports Connect LLC is committed to holistic athlete development. We partnered with The Mental Edge Method to provide mental performance coaching, helping athletes build focus and resilience to unlock their full potential under pressure. Additionally, we incorporate John Maxwell’s proven leadership tools to foster vision, purpose, and leadership skills that extend beyond sports. These resources empower athletes, coaches, and parents to cultivate strong, healthy leaders ready to make an impact in their communities.

At 44 Sports Connect LLC, our mission is clear: to provide the tools and guidance needed to help student-athletes succeed on and off the field. By combining cutting-edge recruiting technology, mental performance training, and leadership development, we’re shaping the next generation of leaders who are prepared for whatever challenges life throws their way.

Tyler Lennon

44 SPORTSCONNECT LLC

The Reason I Started 44 Sports Connect

There’s a moment in every journey when passion, purpose, and preparation collide—and for me, that moment gave birth to 44 Sports Connect.

As a father, coach, and mentor, I’ve witnessed the powerful impact sports can have on a person’s life. Sports shape character, build resilience, and form lifelong bonds. I’ve also seen the challenges—athletes battling with mindset, coaches lacking resources, and families navigating complex travel and recruiting decisions.

I started 44 Sports Connect to bridge those gaps.

This company is more than a business. It’s a mission to foster meaningful connections, promote the Mental Edge Method, leadership development, and provide tailored travel solutions for Sports Directors, Coaches, Athletes, Parents, and the businesses that support them. It’s the culmination of every chapter of my life, each one preparing me to serve this community with depth and authenticity.

Why the Name “44”?

That number is deeply personal. It’s the jersey number I wore growing up, and now it belongs to my son, an athlete with his big dreams. “44” represents legacy, family, and the heart of why I do what I do. It reminds me that what we build now is for the next generation.

And recently, that meaning deepened even more.

My son’s team played at The Ripken Experience in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where they faced a team called The 44s. This team—and the people behind it—left a mark on me. They were from Wisconsin, and their parents and grandparents were some of the most genuine, salt-of-the-earth people I’ve met.

The team was named in memory of Jamie Mertens, who wore #44, loved youth sports, and lived by the words: "Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody."Jamie lived this truth, and even in his passing, his legacy continues to inspire others.

It’s been a little over a year since I started 44 Sports Connect, LLC, and I didn’t know how much I needed to be encouraged—until I encountered this team. Their heart, their spirit, and their light reminded me why this mission matters. In a youth sports culture that can sometimes become jaded, they were salt and light. And they rekindled my fire to keep pushing forward, to lead with love, and to build something that truly serves others.

My Background: A Connector, Consultant, and Guide

I’ve worn many hats—Pastor, Non-Profit President, Paddleboarding Coach, Executive Protection Agent. I’ve led over 60 international and domestic service trips, taught people to overcome fear in open waters, and protected high-profile individuals in high-pressure situations.

In all these roles, one truth stood out: people thrive when they are supported, equipped, and seen.

Whether I’m working with an athlete on mental resilience, helping a coach navigate college recruiting, or guiding a team through leadership development, my goal is the same—to connect people with solutions that unlock their full potential.

The Vision for 44 Sports Connect

At its core, 44 Sports Connect is about service. We’re here to:

• Equip athletes with mental tools that go beyond the game

• Support coaches in leading with confidence and clarity

• Relieve travel stress for sports families and organizations

• Guide recruiting journeys with integrity and insight

  
  

This isn’t just about winning games. It’s about winning in life—on and off the field.

Looking Ahead

We’re just getting started, but the vision is clear: to build a strong, values-driven sports community where connections are meaningful, leadership is intentional, and performance is fueled by purpose.

If you're a coach, athlete, parent, or sports director looking for a trusted partner on this journey, 44 Sports Connect is here for you.

Let’s connect. Let’s grow. And let’s win together.

Tyler Lennon- 44 Sports Connect LLC

Parents, We Need to Chill Out: Setting the Example on the Field

Let me start by saying this—I'm guilty. I've been that parent. The one who gets way too wrapped up in my son's performance, questions the umpire’s calls, or wonders out loud why the coach made a certain decision. It’s easy to fall into that trap when emotions are high and we want the best for our kids. But let’s be honest—we need to chill out.

Yesterday at my son’s tournament, I witnessed something that really struck a chord. A mom shouted at the umpire after the game, saying things like, “You’re terrible! The worst!” Mind you, this was a 12U baseball game. We're not at Yankee Stadium. We're not playing for millions. These are kids, learning and growing—not just in sport, but in life.

And it's not just youth sports. We see the same behavior in professional settings—fans attacking players, leaders dodging accountability, and grown adults throwing tantrums. It's no wonder kids are confused. They're watching us.

We say we want fairness, that we want people to follow the rules. But how can we expect that if we’re not modeling it ourselves? As parents, we have to take a step back and see the bigger picture. Our kids are watching how we respond under pressure. They’re learning whether we take responsibility or just point fingers. They’re absorbing whether we’re victims or leaders.

Are we raising them to succeed beyond their sport? Are we teaching them how to handle stress, how to cope with disappointment, how to control what they can and let go of what they can’t?

Sports are a beautiful training ground for life—but only if we let them be.

No, I’m not saying we can’t challenge a bad call or question decisions. But how we do it matters. There's a big difference between holding someone accountable and publicly humiliating them. One teaches strength, the other teaches spite.

We need to raise kids who understand the phrase, “If it is to be, it’s up to me.” That mindset fosters ownership, not blame. Let’s stop encouraging a victim mentality and start empowering them to lead—with integrity.

Before we call someone else out, maybe we need to ask ourselves: How am I acting? How am I responding?

Take the log out of your own eye before trying to remove the speck from someone else's. The field is a mirror—what are our kids seeing in us?

Let’s do better. Let’s be the adults.

44 Sports Connect LLC