We said we were back with Five for Friday in August, but now I promise Soccer Banter is truly back with the best interviews in soccer. Forget about the mainstream stars, Five for Friday is about the people behind the scenes, and if this is your first time viewing, check out some of our past interviews. This week we spoke with Bryan Ruff, who in another lifetime I coached at the youth level. Today, he is the Operations Coordinator for DC United and I'm the one asking the questions.
Soccer Banter: Following graduation from Drexel University, how did you get to your current position with DC United?
Bryan Ruff: Well, It's been a crazy year for me. After graduation I shot straight to South Africa for the World Cup. When I got back I tried to build on my resume. I spent the summer and fall looking for jobs and doing side operations and event management work in Philadelphia. In the winter I started an Operations Internship with The New York Red Bulls. In April the position opened up at D.C. United. Impressing the operations staff at Red Bull Arena in combination with my considerable experience working collegiate athletic operations while in school at Drexel, was really what landed me the job at United. The serious internship and job opportunities I was able to pursue through the co-op program at Drexel plus the foot in the MLS door at Red Bulls ended up being a pretty great combination for me.
SB: What is your day-to-day role as Operations Coordinator consist of?
BR: As the operations coordinator I am manage our volunteer program, internship program, game-day set-up and daily logistics for the club. During the week I deal with miscellaneous operational needs for the club. Most relate to credentialing & signage, storage/deliveries/inventory, first team training and transport, volunteer program preparations, overseeing our department interns and coordinating other department interns. I also oversee out department vans, do some facility maintenance and upkeep, and work smaller events for the club. My position is a jack of all trades type, definitely. Aside from my duties specific to match days event operations, I deal with all the stuff our Operations Manager & Director of Operations don't want to or can't be bothered with.
Soccer Banter: Following graduation from Drexel University, how did you get to your current position with DC United?
Bryan Ruff: Well, It's been a crazy year for me. After graduation I shot straight to South Africa for the World Cup. When I got back I tried to build on my resume. I spent the summer and fall looking for jobs and doing side operations and event management work in Philadelphia. In the winter I started an Operations Internship with The New York Red Bulls. In April the position opened up at D.C. United. Impressing the operations staff at Red Bull Arena in combination with my considerable experience working collegiate athletic operations while in school at Drexel, was really what landed me the job at United. The serious internship and job opportunities I was able to pursue through the co-op program at Drexel plus the foot in the MLS door at Red Bulls ended up being a pretty great combination for me.
SB: What is your day-to-day role as Operations Coordinator consist of?
BR: As the operations coordinator I am manage our volunteer program, internship program, game-day set-up and daily logistics for the club. During the week I deal with miscellaneous operational needs for the club. Most relate to credentialing & signage, storage/deliveries/inventory, first team training and transport, volunteer program preparations, overseeing our department interns and coordinating other department interns. I also oversee out department vans, do some facility maintenance and upkeep, and work smaller events for the club. My position is a jack of all trades type, definitely. Aside from my duties specific to match days event operations, I deal with all the stuff our Operations Manager & Director of Operations don't want to or can't be bothered with.
SB: As a former collegiate soccer player, how much did you follow MLS prior to working with DC United, and how useful is your soccer own soccer knowledge in helping with your current profession?
BR: I followed the national team and the league enough to know what was going on. I had season tickets to the Union's inagural season last year with some alumni from Drexel Soccer and went to a few games at Red Bull Arena. I always watched on TV all the time of course. Knowledge of soccer is half the puzzle professionally. I think 2 things are crucial - knowledge of operations & event management and understanding of the soccer climate. I don't think I would be very good at my job if I didn't have both those things.
SB: What is the best part of your job?
BR: On an immediate level, I get to work around soccer at a very high level. I work with people who are passionate about soccer on a daily basis and get to stay around the game. On a more important level, I get to give back to the game. I feel a level of responsibility to contribute to soccer in the U.S. So much of where I am today in my life is a result of having soccer to play, watch and enjoy. I really value being a part of "making soccer happen" in America.
SB: What is your greatest memory involving the game of soccer?
BR: I have plenty of memories from my youth and college days that rank highly on the greatest memories list. I think scope and historical relevance definitely make the choice for me on this last one. I spent 3 weeks in South Africa for the 2011 World Cup. I was sitting in Row 15, not 20 yards from the goal where Landon Donovan scored the game winner against Algeria. One of the greatest moments in American soccer and sports history. Hard to beat that, actually being there to see something like that first hand.
BR: I followed the national team and the league enough to know what was going on. I had season tickets to the Union's inagural season last year with some alumni from Drexel Soccer and went to a few games at Red Bull Arena. I always watched on TV all the time of course. Knowledge of soccer is half the puzzle professionally. I think 2 things are crucial - knowledge of operations & event management and understanding of the soccer climate. I don't think I would be very good at my job if I didn't have both those things.
SB: What is the best part of your job?
BR: On an immediate level, I get to work around soccer at a very high level. I work with people who are passionate about soccer on a daily basis and get to stay around the game. On a more important level, I get to give back to the game. I feel a level of responsibility to contribute to soccer in the U.S. So much of where I am today in my life is a result of having soccer to play, watch and enjoy. I really value being a part of "making soccer happen" in America.
SB: What is your greatest memory involving the game of soccer?
BR: I have plenty of memories from my youth and college days that rank highly on the greatest memories list. I think scope and historical relevance definitely make the choice for me on this last one. I spent 3 weeks in South Africa for the 2011 World Cup. I was sitting in Row 15, not 20 yards from the goal where Landon Donovan scored the game winner against Algeria. One of the greatest moments in American soccer and sports history. Hard to beat that, actually being there to see something like that first hand.
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