Ryan Rich hired as full time Director of Coaching

On behalf of ASA Executive Director, Tommy Park and the ASA board of directors, we are pleased to announce the hiring of Ryan Rich as the club's full time Director of Coaching (DOC). Ryan replaces ASA's previous travel registrar Christina Aulbach, after she accepted a new job opportunity back in her hometown. We thank Christina for all she contributed to Alexandria soccer community in her two years at the club and wish her the best in her new endeavors.

Ryan assumed his role as the Director of Coaching in late June and operates out of the ASA office. Among many other responsibilities, Ryan is responsible for ensuring the club curriculum is being implemented for all teams, evaluating the clubs professional coaching staff, working with staff coaches to properly develop the players in the best environment possible, while constantly staying in the forefront of youth soccer education. Tommy Park notes “Ryan's addition to the full time staff is an important step for ASA as the club grows and supports players and coaches at the most advanced levels. He is a student of the game and is very passionate about curriculum development, design and implementation. Ryan's experience playing at the highest level, his knowledge base from advanced academic education plus his coaching coursework is a exceptional asset for our club.”

A 2005 graduate of Princeton University and four-year letterman in the soccer program, Ryan earned All-Ivy honors and finished his career as one of the school’s leaders in all-time assists. Prior to excelling at the collegiate level and spending time with the NY/NJ Metrostars (currently the Red Bulls), Ryan grew up playing in the Virginia Beach area as a member of the 5-time Virginia State Club Champions, Beach FC Desperadoes. In addition, he was selected to the Virginia State and Region 1 Olympic Development Program (ODP) teams.

Ryan has an extensive background in the youth soccer scene in Virginia, DC and Maryland, not only as a player but as a youth soccer coach since 2005. He began coaching travel soccer with DC Stoddert before joining Alexandria Soccer Association. Ryan is currently the head coach of the U10 Griffins and U14 Stars boys groups. He holds the USSF “B” License and National Youth License and is currently pursuing his USSF “A” License. Ryan also holds his Masters in Special Education from the University of Virginia and has completed a wide variety of additional coursework related to curriculum creation, implementation and youth development. As a former special education teacher at George Mason Elementary School in Alexandria City and coach in many of ASA’s development programs and travel teams, Ryan is no stranger to the kids and families in the local community. In his full-time DOC role he will also be responsible for managing the registrations of nearly 650 travel players and 50 travel teams for the upcoming 2014-2015 year.

When asked about his new endeavor with Alexandria Soccer, Ryan says, “I am excited to join Alexandria Soccer Association as the Director of Coaching and Travel Registrar. The club has brought in many young and dynamic coaches over the past few years, and I look forward to channeling that talent towards teaching our club’s curriculum and style of play. I am ready to dig deeper into the club’s curriculum design and implementation with the technical staff and our professional coaches.” When asked specifically about the ASA club curriculum, Ryan had this to say, "our club, technical staff, and coaches are committed to developing technically and tactically-sound players that can compete at the highest levels. Our curriculum that graduates players effectively from one age group to next by building upon learned concepts in a sequential and cumulative manner. As a result, we are able to continually reinforce and guide each player's technical and tactical habits as the speed and level of play increases."

Feel free to congratulate and welcome Ryan Rich to the club by sending an email to ryan.rich@alexandria-soccer.org.