LANCASTER, Pa. - The Atlantic East Conference is pleased to continue the Alumni Spotlight Series, where it celebrates the remarkable achievements and inspiring journeys of former student-athletes who once proudly represented our member institutions. These individuals have continued in the athletics field, showcasing exceptional dedication, and bringing honor to both their alma maters and the league.
Through hard work, resilience, and the values they cultivated during their time as student-athletes, our featured alumni continue to exemplify the core principles of the Atlantic East. Join us as we highlight their stories, share their accomplishments, and explore how their experiences as student-athletes helped shape their careers and communities. Our next spotlight is 2013 Graduate Ryan Jones from Marywood.
Name: Ryan Jones
Sport: Men's Soccer
Graduation Year: 2013
Current Role: Assistant Women's Soccer Coach at Villanova University
Describe your current job and your connection to sports?
I have been the Assistant Women's Coach at Villanova University since April of 2024. I am grateful for this opportunity to work alongside such dedicated and highly motivated individuals. It is extremely rewarding for me to learn and grow every day within the sport I love so much. My connection and passion to soccer began when I started playing at age 4, playing at Marywood, playing internationally (Israel, England and Finland) and starting my coaching career.
What makes coaching important to you?
Soccer has given me so many opportunities throughout my life that I use coaching to give back to the game and the next generations of players. I enjoy connecting with people from all over the world through coaching. I find joy and satisfaction in challenging players to grow and learn outside their comfort zone; being able to unlock new ways to develop.
Best memory at Marywood?
There are so many memories both on and off the field to think about, but the best memory of my time at Marywood was having my family at the games. Whether they were standing by the fence or sitting on the hill, they had their spots. I knew that during the game I could look at them and get the necessary head nod and "you got this" or when coming off the field after a game to either celebrate or decompress in an embrace of love. They have been with me every step of the way; before Marywood and still long after, to see me strive towards my dreams.
Thoughts on winning student athlete of the year at Marywood?
I was extremely honored to receive this recognition as it wasn't only about my contributions on the field, but also in the classroom which was just as important. Soccer was my focus, love, and passion; so, to be recognized within the Athletic Department as Male Student Athlete of the Year - it made me extremely proud for giving everything I had to give.
How has mentorship influenced your transition into professional practice?
Mentorship has been an amazing tool that has and continues to help me grow as a coach. I have enjoyed coaching and working with so many inspiring individuals. I've learned more and more about myself as each role challenges me to think differently, solve unique problems, and stretch myself further. My mentors both support me while also working with me to take steps forward in my growth and I am immensely thankful for the investment they've taken in me. Having mentors in and out of all aspects of the game, all over the world, allows me the opportunity to learn and grow constantly.
Can you describe a situation during your transition where you felt challenged, and how did you handle it?
Developing as a coach is a never-ending process as there are always ways to continue to develop. Transitioning from player to coach, I realized that I now had to use my knowledge and experiences to grow the players. While I can do well within 1 role working with one head coach, I have come to realize that I can very easily feel out of my depth with another. A great coach is adaptable and while I work towards becoming better and better, I look to challenge my own knowledge and understanding of the game. While challenges are difficult at first, I am learning to approach them with a new perspective and curiosity in a way to enhance my coaching skills, rather than stay comfortable in what I know. Stretching my knowledge and expanding my perspectives helps me adapt to the ever-changing demands within coaching and the evolution of this beautiful game.
What is one thing that you would have done differently?
This is a tricky question, I can look back at my journey and process and say "what if this" or "if this happened" and wonder, but I can't say I'd be where I am or have achieved what I have without being at Marywood. Because of this, I don't believe I would have done anything differently as my journey (while still continuing) has given me many great opportunities. Sometimes you never realize that in order to get to where you always wanted, you had to go through exactly what you did. I'm thankful for my time at Marywood and all I was able to achieve both during and after.
What do you look back on most for your time at Marywood?
Off the field, it was the friendships that I can say were and continue to be such a big part of my life. Friends that I've had long since graduating, have been in or at each other's weddings, planned trips all over to see each other and the amazing part is the genuineness of those friendships. Outside of that if it weren't for Marywood, I never would have met my wife, Jessica Jones (Waclawski, Class of 2015) and have had such an amazing and adventurous life together.
Do you have any current goals in your professional career that you want to obtain?
As I continue to learn and grow within the game I love so much, ultimately, I am working towards coaching professionally with sights set overseas. My wife, Jess, and I have traversed the US going from Philadelphia to Seattle and back (with stops along the way) with so many amazing experiences. These are not only fantastic experiences in our lives, but each is helping me towards realizing my goal of coaching overseas. To this end, I have obtained my UEFA C (in Scotland) & B (in Wales) licenses - two of the European coaching badges that help coaches develop their knowledge and application of the game and open the possibility of making my goal a reality.
Check back for the next installment of the Alumni Spotlight Feature as we continue to check in with others in the field of athletics.
Past Spotlights:
Pratt Institute: Ava Hunwick
Marymount: Natalie Garbalosa
Neumann Cortellessa & Joey Gorman
ABOUT ATLANTIC EAST
The Atlantic East Conference is a member of NCAA Division III comprising seven institutions in a four-state area - Gwynedd Mercy, Immaculata, Marywood and Neumann Universities in Pennsylvania; Centenary University in New Jersey, Marymount University in Virginia, and Pratt Institute in New York.
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