134 Running a 2,700-Player Youth Soccer Club with LMSC President, Michele Burns

What does it take to build one of the nation's premier community-based youth soccer clubs while staying true to your mission?On this episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, Jake Voorhees sits down with Michele Burns, President of Lower Merion Soccer Club (LMSC), a nonprofit organization serving more than 2,700 youth athletes annually with a player-first approach to development. Together, they discuss Michele's journey into youth sports leadership, how LMSC balances recreational and elite pathways, and why developing confident, resilient young people matters just as much as developing great soccer players.The conversation also explores the rapidly evolving youth sports landscape, including private equity, club consolidation, community-based programming, and what vendors need to know before trying to do business with youth sports organizations. Michele shares practical advice on authentic relationship-building, sustainable club growth, and why keeping families at the center of every decision has been the foundation of LMSC's success.