Post by gonzo13 on Dec 20, 2007 23:15:53 GMT -5
FRISCO, Texas - Frisco Thunder owner Jake Reed announced the appointment of Dan Ryan as the Intense Football League franchise's General Manager effective December 20, 2007.
The 42-year old Ryan, who brings over 20 years of sports communication/management experience to the Thunder, previously served as Director of Communications for the defunct World Indoor Football League.
“There was a piece to our puzzle missing and I feel Dan Ryan is the answer,” said Reed, the former Minnesota Viking and New Orleans Saint wide receiver said. “His work with the WIFL was impressive and he is respected by the indoor football community. Our efforts to put a first-class product on the field and the community have just been enhanced.”
Ryan is eager to begin his duties with the Thunder.
“It's always tough to leave your hometown, but the Thunder offered me an incredible opportunity for success, growth and happiness,” Ryan said. “I sincerely appreciate the opportunity the Reeds have given me … I'm committed to making the Frisco Thunder the best indoor football experience for fans and players.
“The potential in Frisco is amazing, Ryan added. “The Deja Blue Arena is a perfect venue. EDS Credit Union is a great title sponsor. The baseball and hockey teams lead their leagues in attendance. The IFL is perhaps the most solid of all the indoor leagues. “There is already an excellent staff in place. I'm guaranteed a quality on-the-field product led by Coach Spree [Tony Espirit] that I know will make me draw up a contingency plan for a championship ring fund. If you were me, wouldn't you be excited?
Communications, community relations, game day operations and sponsor relations will be Ryan's primary focus with the Thunder.
“Sponsor relations are key because we have to keep the people who write us checks happy,” Ryan said. “We're going to get the word out innovatively and provide those who come to our games with a first-rate experience. I also guarantee that the Thunder's web site will have the best content in indoor football.”
During the 2007 WIFL season, Ryan oversaw both league-wide and local communication efforts, producing one of the most respected PR efforts in all of indoor football. All 30 regular season and post-season games were fully staffed and reported with statistical and audio coverage. When Daytona Beach Thunder defensive back Javan Camon died from injuries sustained in a game, Ryan controlled the league's crisis communication effort during the following days, helping the media report accurate information while telling the fallen player's story with dignity.
At the team level, Ryan has handled communications duties for the Daytona Beach Hawgs of the National Indoor Football League and the Thunder during its stints in the American Indoor Football League and the WIFL. He has also produced the gameday broadcasts for Bethune-Cookman University football.
“Yes, going from one team named Thunder to another named Thunder is a deliciously obvious irony and that's the best kind … that makes me sound like Bob Dylan or Dewey Cox,” Ryan said.
In addition to his indoor football experience, Ryan has served as a public relations specialist for Bethune-Cookman University; Director of Public Relations and Internet Services for the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Film Commissioner for Volusia County. An accomplished freelance writer/producer, Ryan's bylines have appeared in the Orlando Sentinel, Washington Times, USA Today and the Dallas Morning News. He has worked game day broadcasts for NBC, ESPN and ESPNU.
He has two children, Jade and Sean.
The Thunder opens its second season on Saturday, March 1, 2008 against the San Angelo Stampede Express in the Deja Blue Center. For more information, contact 972-731-6968.
The 42-year old Ryan, who brings over 20 years of sports communication/management experience to the Thunder, previously served as Director of Communications for the defunct World Indoor Football League.
“There was a piece to our puzzle missing and I feel Dan Ryan is the answer,” said Reed, the former Minnesota Viking and New Orleans Saint wide receiver said. “His work with the WIFL was impressive and he is respected by the indoor football community. Our efforts to put a first-class product on the field and the community have just been enhanced.”
Ryan is eager to begin his duties with the Thunder.
“It's always tough to leave your hometown, but the Thunder offered me an incredible opportunity for success, growth and happiness,” Ryan said. “I sincerely appreciate the opportunity the Reeds have given me … I'm committed to making the Frisco Thunder the best indoor football experience for fans and players.
“The potential in Frisco is amazing, Ryan added. “The Deja Blue Arena is a perfect venue. EDS Credit Union is a great title sponsor. The baseball and hockey teams lead their leagues in attendance. The IFL is perhaps the most solid of all the indoor leagues. “There is already an excellent staff in place. I'm guaranteed a quality on-the-field product led by Coach Spree [Tony Espirit] that I know will make me draw up a contingency plan for a championship ring fund. If you were me, wouldn't you be excited?
Communications, community relations, game day operations and sponsor relations will be Ryan's primary focus with the Thunder.
“Sponsor relations are key because we have to keep the people who write us checks happy,” Ryan said. “We're going to get the word out innovatively and provide those who come to our games with a first-rate experience. I also guarantee that the Thunder's web site will have the best content in indoor football.”
During the 2007 WIFL season, Ryan oversaw both league-wide and local communication efforts, producing one of the most respected PR efforts in all of indoor football. All 30 regular season and post-season games were fully staffed and reported with statistical and audio coverage. When Daytona Beach Thunder defensive back Javan Camon died from injuries sustained in a game, Ryan controlled the league's crisis communication effort during the following days, helping the media report accurate information while telling the fallen player's story with dignity.
At the team level, Ryan has handled communications duties for the Daytona Beach Hawgs of the National Indoor Football League and the Thunder during its stints in the American Indoor Football League and the WIFL. He has also produced the gameday broadcasts for Bethune-Cookman University football.
“Yes, going from one team named Thunder to another named Thunder is a deliciously obvious irony and that's the best kind … that makes me sound like Bob Dylan or Dewey Cox,” Ryan said.
In addition to his indoor football experience, Ryan has served as a public relations specialist for Bethune-Cookman University; Director of Public Relations and Internet Services for the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Film Commissioner for Volusia County. An accomplished freelance writer/producer, Ryan's bylines have appeared in the Orlando Sentinel, Washington Times, USA Today and the Dallas Morning News. He has worked game day broadcasts for NBC, ESPN and ESPNU.
He has two children, Jade and Sean.
The Thunder opens its second season on Saturday, March 1, 2008 against the San Angelo Stampede Express in the Deja Blue Center. For more information, contact 972-731-6968.
