A group of local fathers has banded together to create a nonprofit sports complex to transform youth athletics in the New Oxford and surrounding community.
Led by founder and President Ryan Henry, a police officer and father, the group has formed American Dream Athletics (ADA), a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on expanding access to quality sports facilities for local families. Henry is a coach and mentor in youth now.
Henry says the idea grew out of a common frustration among parents. “Youth sports have changed over time,” he explained. “There are fewer accessible places for kids to practice and play, especially as programs continue to grow. Having outdoor playing space will decrease local youth getting into trouble. It will provide more opportunities.”
The group is comprised entirely of volunteer dads. They have begun laying the groundwork for a multi-use outdoor complex. B.J. Wilke serves as Vice President of ADA. Adam Hicks is the ADA Secretary. Derick Groft is the ADA Treasurer. Local Donnie Sanders is a board member.
The group is considering parcels of land near Cross Keys in New Oxford. Their initial dream was to build 8-12 synthetic turf baseball/softball field, but the dream has now evolved to accommodate more sports, potentiall including football, lacrosse, and field hockey. There may be some pole barns to allow for baseball teams to rotate access to one hour indoor time slots. Primarily the facilities will be outdoor with a playground and walking path.
Henry highlighted the vision expanding beyond athletics, saying a goal is to have the complex accessible to all, including those with special needs. “Many people will benefit from the complex – if not organized sports, they can enjoy the walking path,” he said.
Henry hopes to incorporate a community playground inspired by Kids Kingdom, a project Henry fondly remembers helping to build as a volunteer in his youth in Hanover. Like that effort, ADA is rooted in community involvement and grassroots support.
“This is about more than just sports,” Henry said. “It’s about creating a place where families can gather, kids can grow, and the community can come together.”
As a nonprofit, ADA’s board members are not compensated for their work. Instead, they are relying on partnerships, local donations, and community support to move the project forward. The group is also actively engaging with policymakers and exploring grant opportunities to help fund the complex.
“There’s a lot involved in getting something like this off the ground such as permits and paperwork,” Henry noted. “But we’re committed to seeing it through.”
While still in the early planning stages, the group is aiming for an ambitious goal: breaking ground on the project in 2028. To learn more and follow along with the progress, visit the American Dream Athletics Facebook page and cConsider making a donation on their Go Fund Me page.