Originally from Lincoln, IL, Ryan Thomas holds a Bachelor's degree in Sport Management from Lincoln College, where he also played baseball, and a Master of Science in Sport Management from Western Illinois University.
 

Ryan's professional experience includes serving as a Graduate Assistant at TBK Bank Sports Complex in Bettendorf, IA, where he worked as a sport manager and with the facilities management team. He also interned with the University of Notre Dame Event Management team, focusing on Football, Men's and Women's Soccer, and Men's Basketball.

At the University of Iowa, Ryan worked in Event Management, handling all winter and spring sports and assisting with the Big Ten Women's Gymnastics Championships and NCAA Women’s Basketball 1st and 2nd rounds. Following this internship, he was hired as a full-time Event Coordinator, responsible for Football, Women's Soccer, Track & Field, and Women's Tennis.