NTH Tophat (NASA Tophat)
Overview
Formed in 2016 through the merger of Tophat Soccer Club (est. 1982, EIN 58-1659209) and North Atlanta Soccer Association (NASA, EIN 20-4453563). The merged entity operates as NASA Tophat Inc (EIN: 81-1755894). 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Kennesaw, GA.
NTH Tophat is widely regarded as the premier girls’ soccer club in the Southeast and one of the top in the nation. Named #3 ECNL club nationally (2016-17) and Top Drawer Soccer’s Best Girls Club in the Country (2017). 16 players named to various US Youth National Teams.
Financials
| Fiscal Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $8,540,437 | $8,308,085 | $3,483,002 |
| 2024 | $8,008,970 | $7,683,872 | $2,992,561 |
| 2023 | $6,903,389 | $6,394,357 | $2,578,270 |
| 2022 | $7,270,572 | $5,892,422 | $2,069,238 |
| 2021 | $5,668,573 | $5,178,891 | $711,627 |
| 2020 | $4,370,597 | $4,473,133 | $221,945 |
| 2019 | $4,615,596 | $4,463,756 | $324,481 |
Source: ProPublica 990 Explorer. Confidence: (HIGH)
Revenue trend: Exceptional growth from $3.8M (2017) to $8.5M (2025) — 125% increase in 8 years. Revenue has nearly doubled since pre-COVID. Consistent positive margins.
Largest youth soccer club by revenue in Georgia (excluding SSA Swarm’s Cobb FC entity).
Teams & Players
3,000+ players estimated across boys and girls programs. NTH operates teams in ECNL, ECNL-RL, Girls Academy, GA Aspire, DPL, and SCCL across age groups U8—U19.
League Affiliations
- ECNL Regional League
- Girls Academy (GA)
- GA Aspire
- Development Player League (DPL)
- SCCL — founding member (2018)
- Junior Academy programs
Facilities
- Tophat Soccer Fields — 500 Fairfield Rd, Atlanta (Buckhead). Historic club-owned facility.
- Marietta Complex — 4645 Paper Mill Rd, Marietta.
- Kennesaw Complex — 605 Hawkins Store Rd, Kennesaw.
- Multiple branch locations: Milton, Smyrna, Cherokee, Marietta/Quest, LakePoint.
Facility Manager: Randy Bowman ($135K compensation).
Leadership
- David Smith — Executive Director. $261,944 (FY2025).
- Edward Colburn — Girls Director of Academy & Development. $206,428.
- James “Troy” Garner — Girls Director of Coaching. $204,457.
- Ray Tomlin — Boys Director of Coaching. $169,736.
- Ashley Stinson — SCCL Director. $127,637.
- Randy Bowman — Facility Manager. $135,007.
- Chris Faklaris — Board President (volunteer).
- Shon Casey — Treasurer (volunteer).
- Eric Pfeifer — Secretary (volunteer).
Branch Directors: Daniel Castro (Milton), Alexa Jones (Smyrna), Mike Herrin (LakePoint), Matt Fiorentino (Cherokee).
Compensation note: Top 3 executives earn $205K—$262K. Moderate for an $8.5M revenue organization, but higher than Concorde Fire’s leadership.
College Placement
Nationally recognized. Produced numerous collegiate and US Youth National Team players. Named Top Drawer Soccer’s Best Girls Club in the Country (2017).
Competitive Position
NTH Tophat is the dominant girls’ soccer brand in Georgia and among the top nationally. The 2016 NASA-Tophat merger was a watershed event that created a superclub on the girls’ side.
Strengths:
- National reputation (girls)
- Largest revenue in Georgia ($8.5M)
- Strong net asset position ($3.5M)
- Multiple facility locations
- Girls Academy + ECNL-RL dual pathway
- Deep coaching staff with national-level expertise
Weaknesses:
- Complex merged entity (3 legacy EINs/organizations)
- Boys program less prominent than girls
- High total compensation burden
- Not full ECNL member (ECNL-RL only)
Strategic Notes
NTH Tophat is a structurally complex organization given the 2016 three-way merger and multiple legacy EINs. The $8.5M revenue and $3.5M net assets place it among the largest nonprofit youth soccer clubs in the Southeast. The merged structure, multiple legacy organizations, and elevated executive compensation create operational complexity uncommon in the category.
The club’s positioning as the premier girls’ brand in Georgia — validated by national rankings and US Youth National Team alumni — gives it a competitive moat that would be difficult for a new entrant to replicate.
Open Questions
- What is the ownership/lease status of the Buckhead fields?
- How integrated are the legacy NASA and Tophat operations?
- Is there appetite for institutional partnership beyond volunteer board governance?
- What is the full coaching staff payroll burden?
- Are there any Girls Academy or ECNL-RL membership restrictions that affect transferability?