Employee Spotlight: Changing Lives One Season at a Time
Almost three years ago, we shared how QC Ally team members were giving back to their communities in meaningful ways. One of those stories featured our Senior Auditor, Mark Love, who founded the Fort Mill Athletic Association (FMAA) Carolina Reapers to provide youth football and cheer opportunities to local families.
Since then, what began as a small, determined program has grown into something far bigger: an organization building confidence, community, and opportunity season after season.
A Growing Impact in the Community
In the early days, FMAA was proving that a new youth tackle program could take root and thrive. Today, it’s become a broader youth sports community, serving 300+ athletes and volunteers through expanded programming and an increasing presence across the region.
But for Mark, growth isn’t the headline. What matters most is what that growth represents. More families supported, more kids connected to mentors, and more opportunities to participate regardless of background.
Built on Great Coaching
Ask Mark what’s driven FMAA’s momentum, and he doesn’t start with wins or numbers. Instead, he starts with people. FMAA’s coaching staff includes an impressive mix of experienced leaders, including former professional and college athletes and current school coaches. That level of mentorship helps athletes learn the right fundamentals early, develop confidence, and stay motivated on and off the field.
Mark sees coaching as the organization’s greatest strength. When young athletes feel seen, supported, and challenged the right way, everything changes for the better.
Moments That Prove the Mission
For Mark, some of the proudest moments aren’t just about what happens during Saturday games. They’re about watching athletes grow into leaders.
That impact has started showing up in a powerful way at the school level, where former FMAA players are contributing to standout team success. The most recent season brought several milestones, including an undefeated JV run and a historic region championship, alongside continued progress across FMAA teams and a major achievement for the girls program, which qualified for Nationals.
It’s the kind of momentum that reinforces what Mark believed from the start: when kids are given structure, coaching, and support, the results extend far beyond the scoreboard.
Looking Ahead
FMAA isn’t slowing down. Mark’s vision for the next few years includes expanding the organization’s footprint across Upstate South Carolina and exploring additional affordable programs like travel baseball and AAU basketball to serve even more families.
Giving Back, the QC Ally Way
To Mark, community involvement is personal. In the beginning, it wasn’t easy to convince people what a small program could become. Now, schools and local business are involved, families are invested, and the community is seeing the impact.
Balancing a growing organization with a full-time role at QC Ally takes commitment and plenty of sacrificed weekends, but Mark says it’s worth it for one reason: it brings people together in a way that matters. At QC Ally, we’re proud to spotlight Mark Love as the first feature in our ongoing series highlighting team members who are making a difference