Amanda Ryder (2013)

Exercise and Sport Science Major --> Assistant Women's Hockey Coach

Hometown: Menomonie, WI
Current City: Hudson, WI
Employer: University of Wisconsin-River Falls

UW-River Falls was a natural fit for Amanda. She was looking for a university where she could connect with professors and compete in collegiate athletics. What Amanda didn’t know when she chose to study at River Falls, was that this decision would ultimately lead to her current position as assistant coach for the Falcon Athletics women’s hockey team, where she specializes in recruiting and coaching defense.

While earning her degree, Amanda competed in Division III women’s hockey and also played on the softball team. Additionally, Amanda took advantage of learning opportunities outside the classroom. She interned at Cory Laylin’s EuroAmerican Summer Hockey Camp, where she helped design practices for athletes to improve endurance, speed, agility and strength. She also completed an internship with Exceed Hockey in Hudson, where she was a strength and conditioning coach.

Amanda credits her coaches and faculty in the Health and Human Performance Department for serving as mentors.

“I had many great classes and experiences that helped shaped who I am as a coach. My Coaching Young Athletes class was extremely helpful. In it, I wrote a coaching philosophy, which forced me to focus on which values I thought were important to emphasize to my players,” she said.  

As a coach at her alma mater, it is now Amanda who is mentoring students.

“What I love most about my job is having the ability to share the passion I have for hockey with others,” she said. “I love watching my players not only grow as hockey players, but as student athletes.”

"I had many great classes and experiences that helped shaped who I am as a coach."

Amanda Ryder