ryan knapp
Digital Manager - National Soccer Coaches Association of America
Founder - Miles to Go Endurance
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about me
Ryan Knapp is Manager of Digital for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, the largest soccer coaches’ organization in the world with over 30,000 members worldwide.
Since 2007 Ryan has been on a quest to break into the soccer industry and has built up an extensive resume as Founder of Center Holds It, President and General Manager of Queen City FC, Director of Public Relations and Executive Committee Member for the National Premier Soccer League, and as a writer for TheCup.us, El Desmarque and a host of other soccer blogs. I have been an invited guest on podcasts and radio shows, including Sevilla FC Radio, 91.3 in Sevilla, Spain.
He graduated from SUNY Buffalo in 2005 with a B.A. in Spanish and an honors distinction in Linguistics. His focus was on Catalan Language Planning and Policy, which helped open his eyes to see culture in a new light. During his senior year, he experienced life in a true soccer culture during a fall study abroad program at Universidad de Sevilla in Sevilla, Spain.
It is here that he fell in love with his soccer club, Sevilla F.C.
In 2006, Ryan moved back to Spain and lived and worked in a small pueblo called Villacañas, located in the province of Castilla-La Mancha, the home of Don Quixote. Affectionately known as ‘El Guiri’, which roughly translates to ‘the foreign guy’, he worked as an English professor at We Speak English, teaching English to children and adults of all ages.
Along with his position at the NSCAA, Ryan is currently Owner and National Development Director for FC Buffalo and VP Digital for Statzpack.
He also founded 2011in2011.org, a charity fundraiser for Comfort Zone Camp where he has committed to running 2,011 miles to raise $2,011 in 2011.
When Ryan is not immersed in the digital world, he is out running on local roads or trails training for marathons and triathlons, in the kitchen cooking his famous paella, taking pictures, reading on his Kindle and emulating the life of a polymath.
Ryan is a native of Buffalo, New York but currently lives in Kansas City and is father to his running partner Ella, a three-year-old Shetland Sheepdog.
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Status
- "I want three bedrooms, a new kitchen, a parking spot, outdoor space, in the city center and our budget is $1,000." -Every ridiculous American trying to move abroad on House Hunters International.
- Highlight at the gym today. Some guy almost killing me as I did a set of pushups by slamming down 110lb dumbbells. Hey Arnold, didn't you know those are only for decoration? Your stupid tribal tattoos add to your already large amount of douchebaggery.
- If every time someone asks a question on Facebook (or in life) and you respond, ""Well, I wrote this blog post once.." I want to punch you in the face.
- Anyone out there running Trolley Run tomorrow in KC? Debating whether or not to do last minute sign up today.
- Heading to Lawrence for a leisurely 20 miler. Course sweeping/running in the 100k'ers for Free State Trail Run. All dead bodies/whiners I find will be buried in shallow graves, as per Ben Holmes.
- Looking forward to course sweeping at Free State Trail Run tomorrow. A nice 20 miler helping the last of the 100k participants. Run safe and strong everyone!
- Good luck to everyone running Boston today. Run strong and do work!
- Rocky IV, he single handedly stops the cold war and climbs a mountain. I think his russian minders are still looking for him. An epic tail.
- Śmigus-Dyngus!
- The Easter Bunny is by far the creepiest of the costumed characters. At least Santa Claus has some sort of standard apparel (white beard, red suit, big black belt, santa hat). The Easter Bunnies of the world need to get their act together fast.
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Tweets
- @jonfreemon You pick the place and I'll be there.
- @runfastermommy Wow, race looks amazing. Good luck!
- @jonfreemon The possibility is high. Monday?
- @misscrysty I never remove calluses. I keep them on to help alleviate the hotspots on my feet.
- saw this running yesterday. roadrunner. http://t.co/Ph3CSLmI
- Photo: saw this running yesterday. roadrunner. (Taken with instagram) http://t.co/dFXRh5N1
- @jonfreemon What's up good sir??
- RT @salomon_running: 3hrs to Start of UTMF. While Support Teams are organizing, racers are resting, for the epic Run around Mount Fuji...
- Good Read :: The Balancing Act: Speed vs. Endurance http://t.co/Ron99j0z via @runcompetitor
- Words to live by (and my mac wallpaper) fuck what they think. Photo: http://t.co/9Mx3qbPP
- @mattkoppelman South of that, where it's all outdoor and open cafes, etc. Looks like Spain. http://t.co/c4YlAqkF
- @rhondalayton 13.1. Short enough to really run the hell out of it, long enough to be worth a drive. You?
- @mattkoppelman Oh yes. @boulevard_beer is where it's at. Yeah, I'm in KCMO on the Plaza. Lots of great races here, especially trails.
- @mattkoppelman I get IT/hamstring massage at home, simple 10 minute massage + foamroller + yoga = happy hamstrings.
- @mattkoppelman Not sure in Chicago area. I always follow #runnerds hashtag but I'm actually in KC. Lots of awesome 1/2's out this way.
- @mattkoppelman Have you tried yoga? I have terrible hamstring tightness and yoga absolutely did the trick better than anything.
- food for thought today. RT @kgirltris: Remember, a bird doesn’t sing because he has an answer, he sings because he has a song.
- @amymoritz well, we've both avoided it, so that is a good thing!
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Info
- Experienced digital manager + social media strategist | Soccer and endurance sportsSports | Kansas City, Missouri Area, USSummaryHi, I'm Ryan Knapp, a digital manager, content creator, social media and email marketer, website developer, project manager, paella master, entrepreneur, (ultra)marathon running enthusiast, Skittles snacker, fundraiser, keynote convention speaker, podcast creator, guest lecturer, soccer team owner, international traveler, sociolinguist and Spanish/English bilingual.
I have a very diverse background, including.
• Keynote speaker at 2011 Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Convention (IWLCC) on Social Media and Technology.
• Invited speaker in 2010 and 2011 NSCAA Convention on Social Media for Coaches
• Extensive web and database redesign for NSCAA.com (16 month project)
• Developed and managed first Player of the Game mobile voting system in United States for NSCAA College Game of the Week.
• Teaching and helping manage an English school in Villacañas, Spain (pop. 10,000)
• Extensive research and analysis of Catalan language planning and policy (spoken in Catalunya, Spain)
• Owning and founding three minor league soccer teams in Buffalo, N.Y.
• Youngest member of the National Premier Soccer League Executive Committee and first Director of Public Relations.
I am looking for a company where I can put my experience, energy and proven results towards projects that matter.Specialties: • Managing digital properties • Social media strategy (sports/products) • Language/sociolinguistics • Problem solving • Podcasting (hosting + editing) • Content creationExperience- Oct 2010 - Apr 2012Digital Manager / National Soccer Coaches Association of AmericaSince its founding in 1941, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America has grown to include more than 30,000 members who coach both genders at all levels of the sport. In addition to a national rankings program for colleges and high schools, NSCAA offers an extensive recognition program that presents nearly 10,000 individual awards every year. The NSCAA fulfills its mission of coaching education through a nationwide program of clinics and week-long courses, teaching more than 6,000 soccer coaches each year. I was brought on at the NSCAA as Social Media Coordinator and was promoted to Digital Manager in December 2010. • Launched brand new NSCAA.com in November 2011. Complete web redesign, iMIS database integration and online voting platform. • Created, hosted and edited NSCAA Off the Pitch Podcast with 5,000 downloads in the first 90 days. • Designed NSCAA Game of the Week Experience with Screach. Mobile voting for Player of the Game as well as in-game alerts, scores and photos. First of it's kind in the United States.
- Aug 2007 - Nov 2011Owner/Founder / FC Buffalo / Buffalo City FC / Queen City FCFC Buffalo is an organization dedicated to the growth of both soccer and community in the Western New York area through a commitment to the blue collar work ethic and exceptional passion of the region we represent. • Majority owner of FC Buffalo, founding member. • Involved in all facets of club day-to-day function, including sponsorships, website development, social media, player signings, marketing, graphic design. • Nationwide coverage of FC Buffalo nickname contest on CNN and ESPN. • Transitioned the club through various ownership groups, name changes and rebrands. • Provided high quality soccer entertainment for thousands of fans in Buffalo/Western New York. • Establish contacts with other football clubs in the world to form partnerships that enhance the club and allow players to advance their playing career at the highest level possible.
- Oct 2007 - Jan 2011VP Digital / StatzpackIn 2008, we set out to build a system that does just that. Statzpack is a tool that allows coaches, parents, and players to record key soccer data during the game to help measure and improve their performance. In 2009, it became available on iTunes as the first sports performance app linking all data recorded on the field to your computer in a simple, easy-to-use format. • Managed Business Development in the United States. • On-site marketing and product demonstrations at NSCAA Convention, AC Milan Youth Tournament and Grassroots Football Live (Birmingham, UK). • Assisted in various stages of product development, testing, planning and execution.
- Apr 2009 - Nov 2010Director of Public Relations / National Premier Soccer LeagueThe NPSL is sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the governing body of soccer in the United States. The NPSL operates and is managed as a team-run league. The structure of the league allows each team to have one vote on the executive committee. Each team is individually owned and operated, and is responsible for maintaining league minimum standards. New teams seeking membership into the NPSL are subject to approval from an executive committee comprised of existing team owners. • Youngest member of league's Executive Committee • Director of Public Relations • Planned league wide initiatives, including team acquisition, NPSL Championship weekend. • Secured live audio coverage of NPSL Championship Weekend via Teamline. • Developed media plans for local and national markets, increasing coverage and placement more than 100%. • Managed website daily content creation • Project manager for new NPSLSoccer.net, driving 50% increase in traffic. • Updated and approved more than 300 games including player rosters, scores and statistics.
- Feb 2009 - Oct 2009Partner / Agoge SportsWe are an innovative, multi-ethnic sports marketing agency focused on connecting brands, teams, athletes and fans across cultures and geographies. Specializing in bringing value to both sides, those who play and their fans, our success stories include team and individual sports. Latin American, European, African and Asian brands and players in their quest for the American dream trust Agoge Sports to identify successful growth opportunities. We also work with American properties and athletes looking to reach a multi-cultural audience or expanding their operations abroad.
- Aug 2007 - Jan 2009Founder / Center Holds It• Founded one of the top soccer blogs in the United States. • Acquired by BigSoccer.com as a front page featured blog with over 1,000,000 page views during operation. • Continue to manage ad development and sales on centerholdsit.wordpress.com.
- Sept 2006 - Sept 2007English Professor / We Speak English• English Professor in Villacañas, Spain. • Responsible for teaching English classes to various levels of learners (pre-school, young adults, adults) • Communicated with parents and students daily in Spanish. • Increased attendance in center by 25%
Education-
2007 - 2009State University of New York at BuffaloSociolinguistics
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2002 - 2005State University of New York at BuffaloBachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Spanish
Activities: Golden Key Honour Society, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Sigma Iota,
Additional Information-
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