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RR: Tell us what an Assistant Athle c Director for Market- ing does. RM: I'm in charge of buying me- dia and adver sing for VCU Athle cs, but it is so much more than that. Pu ng on events, running promo ons and ac va ng sponsor- ships and corporate sales are also essen al du es of the department. Ensuring we are successful in each area is important, and it helps brings fans out to our events. RR: It has been about ten months since you came to VCU, what have been a few of your favorite moments over the first year? RM: This may sound goofy, but the first event I was a part of when I got here was a women's soccer exhibi- on match. It was my first chance to really get my hands dirty. Experiencing the press box at SportsBack- ers Stadium and ge ng acquainted with the equip- ment for the first me over there was memorable. The first men's basketball game was a lot of fun. We also do a bunch of community events that are a blast. The chance to talk to VCU fans at grassroots events helps me learn about how popular VCU is and the excitement our fans have for our teams. RR: You came to VCU from Utah State, which is known for its rowdy fans at basketball games. How does VCU compare? RM: Utah State has great students. Their chants are very organized and done in unison. It was mostly their students. Here all of the fans are crazy. The students and the band bring a lot of energy, but the season cket holders are just as crazy as the students. Whether we have students here or not, our fans are loud and enthralled by the game. Everyone involved in the program loves VCU Basketball. RR: What is your background in sports? RM: I played football, base- ball and basketball growing up. I played football all the way through high school, and then played a variety of intramural and club sports in college. RR: What is the craziest promo- on you've been involved in? Would you do it again? RM: When I was at Oklahoma, we set up a military ap- precia on promo on with a climbing wall. They had to lower the wall from a trailer, and to get it down they had to essen ally jump a car ba ery. They le the cables on the ground and they touched each other, and set the grass outside the baseball stadium on fire. It turned into a story that is fun to tell later on. RR: What has been your favorite VCU Athle cs-related des - na on and why? RM: San Diego, very recently, was great. Sunny weather, right on the beach, good restaurants, it was a lot of fun. Ge ng to go to Brook- lyn was a good experience as well. RR: How do you like to spend your me outside of VCU? RM: I love the outdoors. I like to get out and run or hike, and I go snowboarding in the winter. In Utah, I was able to do a ton of snowboard- ing. I have snowboarded my en re life, even growing up in Pi sburgh. Winter sports and rock climbing are a lot of fun. Anything outdoorsy and adventurous, you name it. If it's out there, I will give it a shot. RR: What are you looking for- ward to over the next year with VCU? RM: I am excited to have one year under my belt. You do a lot in year one to try to get involved and do the right things. Every day is 100 miles per hour in keeping things progressive and mov- ing forward. I am already planning for next year, and now that I have seen every- thing once, I have some new ideas flowing. RYAN MCLANE S T A F F S P O T L I G H T A ssis t a n t At hle tic Dir ec t or f or M a r ke tin g From the slopes in Utah to the history of Richmond, VCU Athle c Director for Market- ing Ryan McLane has already seen and done a lot in college athle cs. A Pi sburgh, Pa. na ve and Robert Morris University graduate, McLane worked at Oklahoma and Utah State before joining VCU in 2013. He sat down to give us some insight into who he is and what it's like to market the Rams. Best place to eat in Richmond? My top three, in no order, Toast, Me- kong, and Black Sheep. Favorite place to see in Richmond? The James River Trail. Favorite sports memory? I am a huge Steelers fan. I was at the AFC Championship game at Heinz Field in 2009 against the Ravens. It was a blast to see the Steelers win and go to the Super Bowl. Fun fact people may not know about you? I don't have a spleen. I ruptured it playing a pickup football game in college. Best vaca on spot? I would go to Bri sh Columbia and do some snowboarding at Whistler. LIGHTNING ROUND