Case Study
Chicagoland Sports Appearance Connection

Rebuilding a Membership Platform for Sports Fans

Chicagoland Sports Appearance Connection (CSAC) is a premier event organization that brings fans face-to-face with current and former professional athletes through autograph signings, meet-and-greets, and community events. Dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences, CSAC connects sports enthusiasts with their heroes while supporting local charities and community causes.
Plagued by bugs and a frustrating navigation, CSAC’s aging Drupal site could no longer meet the needs of its growing membership. To deliver the usability members deserve and support the brand’s long-term growth goals, a complete rebuild and migration to a modern subscription platform were required.
Client
CSAC
Industry
Sports
Project duration
6 Months
Relaunched
2021
CSAC before redesign
Key Challenges
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Bug-Ridden Platform

The legacy Drupal site was unstable, riddled with errors, and difficult to maintain, creating frequent disruptions for members and administrators.

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Poor User Experience

Clunky navigation and an outdated interface frustrated users and limited engagement with events and memberships.

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Limited Mobile Functionality

The site lacked full mobile optimization, making it hard for fans to browse events or manage subscriptions on phones and tablets.

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Membership Management Constraints

The old system offered minimal tools for handling subscriptions, renewals, and member communications, hindering growth and scalability.

Design & Development
1. Discovery & Research
Market Analysis

We researched the competitive landscape of fan membership sites to guide the redesign.

Platform Audit

We reviewed the legacy Drupal site to document existing content and plan the migration path.

Redesign Objectives

We defined clear goals focused on subscription management, usability, and a scalable framework.

Site Architecture

We mapped a new site structure to streamline navigation and improve content accessibility.

2. DESIGN

Wireframing and Prototyping

We developed wireframes and prototypes to help visualize and communicate the new layout and user flow.

Visual Design

We crafted a modern, clean, and visually appealing design that aligns with the CSAC brand identity.

Fully Responsive Design

We created a layout that’s optimized for all devices, providing a consistent experience on phones, tablets, and desktops.

Development
3.development

WooCommerce Integration

We coupled WooCommerce with WordPress to create a robust e-commerce environment suitable for scalability and customization.

Custom Event Calendar

We created a private event calendar providing member only access and a range of customizable features.

4. Testing & launch
Usability Testing

We conducted thorough cross-browser and device testing to confirm the site was intuitive to navigate and free of bugs.

Performance Testing

We optimized both the code and infrastructure to ensure the site loaded quickly and delivered reliable performance.

Site Launch

We deployed the new site and closely monitored its performance to identify and resolve any post-launch issues quickly.

Benefits & Improvments
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ENHANCED USER EXPERIENCE

We introduced intuitive navigation and a streamlined membership flow, giving fans an effortless way to join, renew, and manage their accounts across devices.

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IMPROVED AESTHETICS

We provided a clean, contemporary aesthetic that reflects CSAC’s professional image and creates a more engaging experience for sports fans.

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Stronger Performance

The new site’s code and infrastructure deliver faster load times and smooth browsing, improving satisfaction for both members and administrators.

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Simplified Membership Management

We built a custom subscription system  making it easy for staff to handle sign-ups, renewals, and communications, while reducing administrative overhead.

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Improved Search Visibility

We implemented SEO best practices to the site’s architecture, metadata, and content to boost organic rankings and help attract new members.

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Built for Growth

The flexible, scalable platform supports future features and growing membership numbers without sacrificing speed or reliability.

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It's rare to find a partner who is extremely knowledgable in their field, very communicative and cares a great deal both about the design and development of their clients digital experiences, and Zealth has all those qualities and more.
Alan Parlov, Rival 11

The Final Result

The launch of CSAC’s new membership website replaced the unstable Drupal platform with a modern, user-friendly system built for growth. The custom subscription framework delivers a seamless experience for fans and administrators alike, while the improved performance and responsive design have strengthened the organization’s digital presence. With a scalable foundation and streamlined member management tools, CSAC is now positioned for sustained expansion and future feature development.

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