USL News Release
Thursday, March 28, 2013
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues announced today that experienced soccer administrator and coach Ryan Brooks has joined its management team as Senior Director, PDL. Brooks will oversee all operations and management of the PDL and its related events/activities. He will also be active in the continued development, strategic planning, and growth of the league.
“As evidenced by his background and experience, Ryan Brooks has a passion for soccer and its continued growth throughout North America,” USL CEO Alec Papadakis said. “We are confident Ryan is the right person to lead the PDL into its next phase as it continues to strengthen its role as the top men’s developmental league in North America.”
Brooks joins USL after most recently serving as head of recruiting and goalkeeping and assistant coach for the U18 USSF Development Academy team at the highly-respected Shattuck-St. Mary’s Soccer Academy. He previously served as assistant coach and director of player development for Real Salt Lake of MLS, where he trained the goalkeepers and oversaw the U16 and U18 academy teams.
Brooks played for and graduated from St. John’s University, and after graduation he served as an assistant coach at Stevens Institute of Technology (N.J.), Williams College (Mass.), and Hobart College (N.Y.). After a four-month stint studying the Tahuichi Academia in Bolivia, he became the director of coaching education for Super Soccer Stars in New York City, where he oversaw the teaching of 150 professional coaches.
Brooks received his Master’s Degree in Sports Leadership from Duquesne University. His coaching licenses include the NSCAA Premier and National Goalkeeper Diplomas and the USSF National “B” License.
The top developmental men’s league in North America, the 2013 PDL features 65 teams within four conferences throughout the United States and Canada. The PDL season consists of 14 regular season matches for each team, seven home and seven away, and provides elite collegiate players the opportunity to taste a higher level of competition while maintaining their eligibility. In addition to league play, PDL teams compete in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup as well as various exhibitions. The PDL has proven to be an important stepping-stone for top professionals now playing throughout the world.