About First Team Sports
At First Team, we don't just manufacture sports equipment — we guide you to the right solutions for your facility. From professional-grade basketball systems to soccer goals and more, our mission is simple: deliver durable, high-performance solutions that stand the test of time.
Our Midwest values, dedication to quality, and outstanding service have earned us the trust of thousands of athletic directors, coaches, facility managers, and homeowners across North America, Canada, and the Caribbean. Whether you're outfitting a professional sports facility or upgrading your backyard court, you can count on us for durable, dependable, and innovative equipment.
Our Commitment
With over 30 years in the business, First Team is trusted by families, schools, parks, and athletic facilities throughout North America to provide durable sports equipment that fits their specific needs.
We work closely with a network of over 250 dealers across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean to deliver equipment that's built for performance and backed by our industry-leading warranty. When you choose First Team, you're not just getting a product — you're getting a lifelong product support team that guarantees long term success.
Our Guiding Principles
The values that drive everything we do.
Durable, Quality Products
Our production team is the best in the industry, and our products are built to last with warranties that back up our work.
Sports Equipment Experts
We're a team of problem solvers who thrive on finding solutions to our customers' and dealers' unique challenges.
Midwest Customer Service
We really are here to help. From answering questions promptly to shipping products quickly – often the same day – our goal is to exceed expectations every time.
American Built
Our commitment to quality means we prioritize American-made parts whenever possible. The majority of what we sell is manufactured in Kansas. We design, assemble, and test in our Hutchinson, Kansas, facility.
Fast Facts
30+
Years
designing and manufacturing
sports equipment
250+
Dealers
across the U.S., Canada,
and the Caribbean who know our
equipment inside and out
50,000+
Installations
throughout
North America
Unmatched
Warranty
so you can count on
your equipment
for years to come
Our Guarantee
At First Team, we're committed to quality, durability, and customer satisfaction. Every product is backed by an industry leading warranty because we stand behind what we build.
Our Story
Founded in 1996 by Jeff Roth and Wayne Unruh, First Team began in Hutchinson, Kansas, with a simple mission: to build sports equipment that athletes, coaches, and schools could rely on. Our vision was to combine Midwest craftsmanship and customer service with an uncompromising commitment to quality, ensuring that every product that left the factory was strong, durable, and built to last.
Since our humble beginnings, we've become an industry leader in residential and commercial sports equipment for basketball, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, football, and more.
An unlikely team
Wayne Unruh had been in the sports equipment industry for 3 years when he met Jeff Roth. In 1991, Jeff was an industrious college student building basketball goals and selling them out of his dorm room. It started as a simple relationship: Jeff needed quality parts, and Wayne had them. But as they continued to work together discussing ideas and ways to improve products, they discovered that they make a great team.
Small, but not for long
Jeff and Wayne co-founded First Team, Inc. in Hutchinson, Kansas, in 1996 with a handful of products, 3 employees, an office in Wayne's basement, and the garage as their warehouse. Armed with Midwest grit and customer service know-how, they began working to build the company's dealer and customer base, and going above and beyond to help customers and dealers find the right solutions. As part of our plan to improve products, we added a spring to our adjustable goals to make it easier to raise and lower them. We called it the "spring assist." That innovation meant anyone – even a 5-year-old – could turn the crank to raise or lower the goal. Our customers loved it, and word quickly gained a reputation for building high performance basketball systems. Before we outgrew Wayne's basement!
Industry leader in basketball equipment
We needed more operations space for backboard construction, packaging, warehousing, and shipping – and we needed room to grow. In early 1997, we moved to a small office and created a warehouse in a parking garage on Lorraine Avenue in Hutchinson. Over the next seven years, we grew to 4 full-time employees with 2 groups of local firefighters who each worked two days a week doing whatever needed to be done. During that time, we developed and improved our basketball equipment selection and expanded into soccer and volleyball. We had become known as an industry leading manufacturer of basketball equipment and our customers and dealers started asking for other equipment. We love a challenge, so of course we said yes. But again, we ran out of space.
Building – and Product – Expansion
With our rapid growth in mind, we built Phase 1 of our current facility at 902 Corey Road in Hutchinson – this site provided ample land area for growth and expansion. While the facility continued to grow with new teams, and the new building took our products and customer service to the next level. More warehouse space meant more product in stock. With everyone under one roof, our engineers and production teams could collaborate with sales teams to solve customers' unique challenges. And as our customers and dealers started asking for more equipment, we made it happen. We added lacrosse and football equipment and player benches and bleachers to our lineup.
Growing a Great Team
Demand for products led to our Phase 2 expansion at Corey Road, and in the process, we also moved in our sewing and upholstery team. They'd been creating our custom padding since 1997, but in another location. Also, after 20-some years of working with our two part-time teams four days a week, they decided it was time to retire, and we hired 7 full-time production workers. So, with our team of 3 in sewing and upholstery, we became a cohesive team of 15.
Do What You Do Best
Our goal is always to exceed customer expectations. Over the years, we've continually delighted our customers with our ability to ship fast – often the same day. Phase 3 Corey Road expansion prioritized dock space for shipping and receiving and warehouse space for on-hand inventory. In October of 2022 we lost Wayne after an 8-year battle with cancer – but he still influences us every day. We're all dedicated to the same principles Wayne and Jeff had back in 1996. So, we'll keep building quality equipment and going above and beyond to help our customers and dealers. It's what we do best – and it's what we love doing.
Talk to the Team That Builds it Right
Whether you're outfitting a school gym or your own backyard, our team is here to help you find the right solution.