This past weekend at the NSCAA National Convention in Kansas City, Long Island’s Sue Ryan was awarded the 2011 NSCAA Women’s Committee Award of Excellence. Ryan has been the women’s varsity coach at Stony Brook University for the past 27 years and led her charges to at least the America East semi-finals in four of the last five years, while serving as an active member and staunch supporter of the NSCAA throughout her coaching career.
The Washington Area Girls Soccer League has supplied sponsorship funds from this award, which has been won by the likes of women’s national team member Michelle Akers, legendary UNC coach Anson Dorrance, and former US Women’s National Team coach Tony DiCicco, to be used in the promotion of the women’s game through various inner city programs. Money will also be donated to charities that promote female soccer participation.
“I am indebted to the NSCAA for having a profound positive impact on my coaching career,” Ryan said. “I graduated from college and became a head coach at the college level one year later, at age 23. I was passionate, ambitious, and wanted to take on the world. I also thought that because I’d played college soccer for four years, coaching would come easily and I’d be fine. But I soon realized I wasn't fine. I had been in too big of a rush to be a head coach and, in hindsight, should have instead chosen to be an assistant somewhere with a good mentor. However, given my situation was what it was, I sought help and by enrolling in my first NSCAA residential coaching course.”
“I was hooked after day one,” she continued. “I learned invaluable lessons from instructors and my fellow candidates alike.
After the course concluded, I went on to enroll in every course and symposium the NSCAA offered over the next two years. I knew I needed help and was not afraid to ask for it and invest in my future. I sacrificed every birthday and Christmas present for two years to pay my way at the courses.”
But in addition to her knowledge, passion, and work ethic, Ryan’s best attributes are shown in the way she interacts with people every day; from her players, to administration and staff, to youth soccer organizations and beyond.
“Here at Stony Brook, our student-athletes and staff are all extremely fortunate to be able to work with Coach Ryan,” said Patrick Muffley, Assistant AD at Stony Brook. “For nearly three decades Sue has coached and taught our student-athletes about soccer and life. Sue's vast knowledge and experience of every level of soccer is astonishing, but it is her kindness and genuine spirit as a person and friend that makes Sue the exceptional person that she is."
Ryan took over a struggling Stony Brook program that had posted a 1-13-1 record in 1984 and had the team playing .500 ball just a year later. In 1986, the Seawolves posted the first of three straight double-digit win seasons and earned their first ever postseason berth. A standout player in her own right who won a national title in 1980 at SUNY Cortland, Ryan was at the helm in 1989 as the USB women’s soccer program was the first Stony Brook athletic team to make the transition to NCAA Division I status
After having such a positive experience with the NSCAA coaching schools, Ryan was soon attending NSCAA Conventions. She joined committees and became involved on numerous levels, all the while being exposed to new people and new ideas surrounding the game of soccer. The experience changed her for the better.
“My first convention was an energizing experience,” Ryan explained. “And in all the events that followed, sharing time with so many soccer fanatics, and learning and networking deepened my love for the game and solidified my decision to making coaching a profession.”
In addition to her coaching duties at Stony Brook, Ryan jumped into the national soccer scene. She worked on the staff at the national U-20 training combine, served as an assistant coach with the U-17 Women’s National Team, and is a member of the US National Scouting staff. Locally, she has also served as head coach of the LIJSL Girls Select Program and the ENYYSA State ODP Girls Program.
After growing to the point of presenting at various NSCAA Conventions, Ryan was asked to serve on the NSCAA Women's Committee. Though she didn’t understand at first what the benefit of such a move would be, she joined and sat in on the meetings.
“It’s something for which I’ll always be thankful,” Ryan says. “Some of my closest friends in the world are past and present members of the Women’s Committee, and I’ve had a first row seat as I’ve watched them positively affect the lives of hundreds of players and coaches.”
The Long Island Junior Soccer League congratulates Coach Ryan on her achievements and thanks her for her undying dedication to the game of soccer on Long Island.