Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech Athletics has named Chris Ryder its executive associate athletics director for capital projects, facilities and operations, Vice President and Director of Athletics Brian White announced Tuesday.
Ryder arrives in Blacksburg after spending nearly seven years at Florida Atlantic, where he most recently served as senior associate athletics director for facilities and event management. As the Hokies’ senior facilities and game operations executive, Ryder will provide strategic leadership and oversight of the department’s capital projects, facilities and operations while serving as a member of the department’s senior leadership team.
“Chris is an exceptional addition to our leadership team and someone I have tremendous confidence in,” White said. “Having worked alongside him at Florida Atlantic, I saw firsthand his ability to lead complex projects, solve problems and create first-class experiences for student-athletes and fans.
“Elevating the gameday experience is a major priority for us, and Chris understands what it takes to deliver an exceptional experience from the moment fans arrive on campus. His expertise across facilities, operations and event management will be invaluable as we continue to raise the standard for Hokie Nation and make gamedays in Blacksburg among the very best in college athletics.”
Ryder joined FAU in October 2019 as associate athletics director for facilities and event management before being elevated to senior associate athletics director in 2022. During his tenure, he oversaw athletics capital project planning and coordination, daily facility maintenance projects and game management responsibilities. He also served as a member of FAU’s emergency management team.
“I am incredibly grateful to Brian and the Virginia Tech leadership for the opportunity to join Hokie Nation,” Ryder said. “Virginia Tech has a proud athletics tradition, an extraordinary fanbase and tremendous momentum surrounding the department. I have great respect for Brian’s vision and leadership, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to work alongside him again as we build upon that momentum.
“Facilities and operations touch virtually every aspect of the student-athlete, coach and fan experience. I look forward to listening and learning, building relationships across campus and working collaboratively to ensure our facilities and operations reflect the championship-level aspirations of Virginia Tech Athletics. My family and I could not be more excited to make Blacksburg home.”
Prior to his time at Florida Atlantic, Ryder spent more than eight years at Duke, steadily advancing through the Blue Devils’ facilities and game operations department. He was promoted to director of athletic facilities, game operations and championships in July 2018 after previously serving as associate director of athletic facilities and special events and assistant director of athletic facilities, game operations and championships. He began his tenure at Duke as an athletic facilities and game operations assistant in 2011.
At Duke, Ryder was extensively involved in the daily maintenance and operation of the university’s athletics facilities and served as the primary athletics liaison to several campus units, including facilities management, landscape services, sanitation and recycling, and environmental services.
Ryder began his career gaining facilities and game operations experience at High Point and Wake Forest, as well as through operations internships with D.C. United and the Carolina Dynamo. At High Point, he worked with facilities and game operations for the Panthers’ athletics programs from 2005-09, while his experience at Wake Forest included day-to-day game management responsibilities with an emphasis on Olympic sports.
A native of Lynbrook, New York, Ryder earned a bachelor’s degree in sport management with a minor in business administration from High Point in 2009. He later earned a master’s degree from High Point with a concentration in sport studies. He is a member of the Collegiate Event and Facility Management Association and the North American Society for Sport Management.
Ryder and his wife, Ashley, have two daughters, Jocelyn and Violet.