Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Simpson.
Hi Kevin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Kevin Simpson: From Adversity to Legacy — Building FYAA and a Community That Stands Together
Kevin Simpson’s story is one of redemption, resilience, and relentless belief in people. It is a story of a boy from Mesquite who grew up without a father, found salvation in football, and turned pain into purpose — building one of the most respected youth athletic organizations in Texas.
Today, as the President and co-founder of the Forney Youth Athletic Association (FYAA), Kevin leads with a simple philosophy: family first, always. His life and leadership reflect that belief in every decision, every handshake, and every child who puts on the burnt-orange and black of the Spartans.
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Humble Beginnings in Mesquite
Kevin grew up in Mesquite, Texas, in a home filled with love but marked by struggle. When his father was sent to prison while Kevin was still young, it left a void that shaped much of his early life. Without that guiding hand, the pull toward anger, confusion, and the wrong crowd was strong.
Then came football.
Football didn’t just give Kevin something to do — it gave him someone to become. The game demanded discipline, commitment, and accountability. The coaches became the father figures he didn’t have. They expected greatness, even when life hadn’t.
Kevin often says that football saved him. It gave him structure when he needed direction and belonging when he felt alone. Those lessons became the blueprint for how he would later build his own organization — one built on brotherhood, mentorship, and belief in the next generation.
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A Dream Takes Root
Years later, after building a successful career in business and rising to become Chief Operating Officer of Arthur Marshall, a national healthcare recruitment firm, Kevin had achieved professional success. But he wanted to build something closer to home — something that mattered beyond the boardroom.
When Kevin and his wife Brittany settled in Forney, they saw a thriving town with tremendous potential but few consistent opportunities for kids to develop through sports. He wanted his children — Kylie, Brock, and Kelsey — to experience not just competition, but community. That desire became the seed that would grow into FYAA.
The organization started with nothing more than belief and borrowed fields. There were no shortcuts, no big checks, and no preexisting playbook. What there was, however, was heart, faith, and a small group of like-minded parents who were willing to do whatever it took to build something great.
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The Founders: Building the Shield Wall
The foundation of FYAA was built by four people who shared a vision and were willing to grind to make it real — Kevin Simpson, Brian Holland, Sarah Rossini, and Rob Robinson. Together, they became the original Shield Wall, protecting the mission and driving it forward one practice, one fundraiser, and one family at a time.
• Brian Holland, Vice President and Athletic Director, brings the structure, leadership, and accountability that keep the organization running smoothly across all sports.
• Sarah Rossini, Treasurer, is the financial and moral compass of FYAA. Her attention to detail and integrity have kept the organization both compliant and compassionate.
• Rob Robinson, Director of Gameday Operations, is a 20-year Army veteran whose discipline and dedication ensure every event is executed with precision and pride.
From those early days, the founding team laid the groundwork for what has become a powerhouse of youth development and community engagement.
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The FYAA Family
What began as a handful of volunteers and players has grown into a multi-sport organization that represents over a thousand young athletes across North Texas. FYAA now proudly fields:
• 7 Football Teams
• 7 Baseball Teams
• 10 Basketball Teams
• 5 Dance Teams
• 7 Cheer Squads
Each of those teams reflects the same core values that Kevin learned on the football field decades ago — effort, attitude, accountability, and heart.
FYAA’s leadership today includes a full board of passionate volunteers who share in that mission:
• Kevin Simpson, President (Founding Member)
• Brian Holland, Vice President & Athletic Director (Founding Member)
• Sarah Rossini, Treasurer (Founding Member)
• Rob Robinson, Director of Gameday Operations (Founding Member)
• Janet Allen, Secretary
• Brandon Edwards, Director of Safety, Security & Equipment
• Kayla Childress, Director of Cheer
• Cody Ray, Director of Football Operations
• Ruby Cox, Director of Drill (Dance) Teams
• TJ Balthazar, Director of Basketball and Baseball
• Crystal Freemyer, Director of Fundraising & Sponsorships
• Chris Leach, Director of Facilities
Together, they form the FYAA Shield Wall — a coalition of volunteers who give their time, energy, and resources to create something bigger than themselves. Under Kevin’s leadership, this group has built a culture rooted in service, teamwork, and faith.
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Family at the Center
At the core of everything Kevin does is his family. Brittany, his wife, is not just his partner in life but his teammate in this mission. As a teacher and coach herself, she understands the sacrifice, the late nights, and the belief it takes to keep something like FYAA growing.
Their son Brock — the big-hearted, red-mohawked Spartan who plays with power and pride — embodies the organization’s spirit.
Kelsey, their youngest, is fearless and full of light, reminding everyone that joy and fire belong on the same field.
And Kylie, their oldest, represents resilience and grace, carrying forward the love and strength of her late grandmother, Darlene “Nana”, whose loss continues to inspire Kevin’s purpose.
For Kevin, family is not just his reason. It is his fuel. It is the heartbeat of FYAA.
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Born from Loss, Driven by Legacy
Kevin’s drive comes from deep places — from growing up without a father, from losing his brother Montana, and from saying goodbye to his mother Darlene, whose compassion and faith shaped who he is today. Their ashes rest together, just as they wished, and their love continues to guide every step of his journey.
Through FYAA, Kevin found a way to transform grief into growth. He honors their memory by giving kids the chance to feel seen, supported, and believed in. In every high-five, every cheer, every victory and defeat, there is a little piece of that legacy living on.
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Building Sparta
As the organization grew, so did its vision. FYAA established Sparta, its own indoor facility dedicated to year-round training, development, and unity. It represents the culmination of years of effort and the belief that Forney’s children deserve the best.
Sparta is more than a building — it is a symbol of what happens when people choose to build rather than wait. It stands as a physical and spiritual home for every athlete who walks through its doors.
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Impact That Lasts
FYAA’s mission is rooted in accessibility and opportunity. More than 30% of its athletes receive some form of scholarship assistance, ensuring that financial hardship never keeps a child from participating. The organization partners with local schools, sponsors, and businesses to make sure that every kid, regardless of background, has a chance to grow.
FYAA is now known across the region for its professionalism, unity, and brand of toughness that still feels like family. Whether it is a 5-year-old learning to tie their cleats or a 12-year-old preparing to move on to middle school athletics, FYAA gives each child the same message Kevin once heard on the field — “You matter. You belong. You are part of something bigger than yourself.”
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The Road Ahead
Kevin Simpson’s journey — from a boy in Mesquite searching for guidance to a man leading a movement — is living proof that strength can rise from struggle and that purpose can grow from pain.
The Forney Youth Athletic Association is more than a sports league. It is a testament to what happens when faith, family, and community collide.
For Kevin, the goal has never been trophies or headlines. It has always been about impact. It has always been about giving back what the game once gave to him — direction, belonging, and hope.
“Football saved my life,” Kevin says. “Now I just want to spend the rest of mine paying that forward.”
And through FYAA, that mission continues — one child, one family, and one Spartan at a time.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been anything but smooth. And honestly, I think that’s what makes it meaningful. When we started the Forney Youth Athletic Association, there wasn’t a roadmap or a warm welcome waiting for us. The city offered us no space to operate. We had to go out and create opportunities from nothing — finding fields through public-private partnerships, leaning on faith, and building trust where it didn’t exist.
At that time, even the ISD wasn’t very supportive. Thankfully, that has changed in recent years, and we’ve built a great relationship with them now. But in those early days, we were on an island. We had to find a league to play in, and even the closest one wouldn’t take our calls. There was bad blood in the community from past organizations that had burned bridges by not paying bills or following through. We had to suffer those consequences and prove our staying power one step at a time.
Everything we have now — the fields, the facility, the programs — came from grit and belief. There were no shortcuts. We built it by earning the respect of families, sponsors, and the community through consistency and commitment.
And yes, families have come and gone. That’s part of it. You can never make everyone happy. But you can stay true to your purpose. You can keep pursuing your why. For me, that why is simple — to give kids in this community the same thing football once gave me: structure, direction, and people who believe in them.
We’ve had every possible obstacle thrown our way, but each one made us better. The struggle forced us to grow, to tighten our mission, and to protect what we’re building. The smooth road doesn’t teach you much — it’s the tough one that defines you.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Forney Youth Athletic Association, or FYAA, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing young athletes across football, baseball, basketball, cheer, and dance — but what we really build is confidence, character, and community. Our mission is to give every child in Forney a place to belong, to grow, and to be part of something bigger than themselves.
We specialize in doing things differently. We don’t do anything small. That’s our motto — dream big and work hard. Everything we create, from our game day experience to our facilities to our events, reflects that belief. The FYAA is a movie. We’re the directors, and the kids are the stars. Every Saturday, the lights come on, the crowd fills the stands, and our athletes step into their moment. That’s what we’re about — making kids feel like they’re part of something cinematic and unforgettable.
What sets us apart is that we built this organization completely from the ground up. The city didn’t give us space. We had to create it through public-private partnerships. Early on, even the ISD wasn’t ready to support us, and the nearest leagues wouldn’t even return our calls. Other organizations before us had left a bad taste in the community by not paying bills or keeping their word, so we had to earn back that trust from scratch. Every inch of progress was fought for and earned through consistency, transparency, and grit.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of what the Spartan name has come to mean in this community. The burnt orange and black are instantly recognizable. When people see that Spartan helmet, they know it stands for excellence, unity, and pride. We have a reputation for being flashy — but it’s not about ego, it’s about energy. We bring excitement and production value to everything we do because these kids deserve that. They deserve a program that treats them like stars and a community that celebrates them like family.
We also believe in accessibility. Over 30% of our athletes receive scholarships or financial assistance, because no child should ever be turned away due to cost. Every coach, parent, and board member here is a volunteer — giving their time because they believe in the mission.
If there’s one thing I’d want readers to know, it’s that FYAA isn’t just a sports organization. It’s a movement. It’s proof that with the right people, faith, and a shared vision, you can build something truly extraordinary — one kid, one family, and one moment at a time.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy is seeing kids light up — watching them do something they didn’t think they could, watching that confidence take root. That’s the heart of why I do this. When a kid walks off the field or out of the gym standing a little taller, smiling because they know they belong, that’s what fills me up.
I had a conversation with my wife recently about this. She always jokes that I’m like an energizer bunny — I can never sit still. And she’s right. The truth is, I’m wired to keep moving forward. I want to build, improve, and chase excellence in everything I do. At the core of that is something simple: I want to be the best. Full stop.
But not for the trophies or the recognition — I want to be the best version of myself so that my family can be proud of me. I want my kids to look at their dad and know that hard work, discipline, and love can change lives. I want them to see that if you commit fully to something that matters, you can build something that lasts.
That’s my happiness. It’s not about perfection — it’s about purpose. It’s about knowing that what we’re doing with FYAA is shaping lives, including my own. When I see my kids wearing Spartan colors, when I see this community come together, I feel joy. Not the fleeting kind — the kind that stays with you.
At the end of the day, what makes me happy is simple: family, purpose, and knowing that the work we’re doing means something real.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fyaaspartans.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fyaaspartans/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fyaaspartans
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FYAASpartans
