Tri-Town Sports: A Founding Story Rooted in Service, Family, and Community In the heart of the Waynesville–St. Robert–Fort Leonard Wood area, a region steeped in military tradition and resilience, Shelley and Carl Emperato saw a gap that too many overlooked. It wasn’t in national defense or logistics—it was in something far more personal: the lack of consistent, organized youth sports for the children of military families and the community they lived in. Shelley and Carl recruited and ingnited a strong board of experienced, supportive and trustworthy community members. 

Carl Emperato, a proud U.S. Army veteran who served for 25 years, and his wife Shelley, a seasoned community leader and former CEO of the Armed Services YMCA, understood the unique rhythm of military life. PCS moves uproot families. Friendships are made and lost every few years. Continuity is rare. And in this environment of constant change, something as simple as a reliable youth basketball program became a rare and precious thing. Twelve years ago, they decided to stop waiting for someone else to fill the gap. They started Tri-Town Sports—not as a nonprofit or a business at the time, but as a grassroots labor of love. They began with basketball, because it was something the kids loved. Something familiar. Something they could count on. While other programs folded when leadership changed, Shelley and Carl made sure Tri-Town Sports kept going, year after year, game after game. It was never just about the sport. It was about the kids who needed somewhere to belong. It was about the parents who needed community. It was about creating something that lasted— when so much else felt temporary.

When the Armed Services YMCA recently made the decision to eliminate basketball from its local offerings, Shelley knew it was time to take a stand—not from within the system, but from the outside. She stepped down as CEO and chose to go all-in on what mattered most: giving her community and military families a consistent, high-quality, year-round sports program they could depend on. Not just basketball, but eventually soccer, flag football, cheer, volleyball, and more. Now, with the official founding of Tri-Town Sports and soon to be a nonprofit organization, Shelley and Carl are building something sustainable—something worthy of the families they serve. As a 501(c)(3), Triwn Sports will be able to grow its reach, offer scholarships to low-income youth, partner with local schools and military organizations, and train a new generation of coaches and leaders who understand the heart of this mission.

Shelley and Carl’s story is one of deep personal commitment. Of late nights, early mornings, and weekends spent in gyms and on courts. Of uniforms washed, schedules made, and kids who finally found their team. It’s a story of faith in community, and in the power of sports to anchor a child through life’s transitions. Tri-Town Sports is more than a program. It’s a promise. That no matter who comes or goes, the game will go on. The team will be there. And your child will have a place to grow, compete, and belong.