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Drop us a line anytime. No call center or pressing menu numbers here. You’ll get a timely and detailed personal response directly from one of our two full-time staff members. Use the Blue speech bubble / chat widget in the bottom right corner from any page or e-mail, call, or text us anytime using the info below. We look forward to hearing from you!
- Fuquay-Varina, NC
- info@studentathleteworld.com
- 984.225.1040
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Home Office Staff
Tim Ryerson, Founder
Hi, I’m Tim Ryerson, and I founded SAWUSA in 2009 after an eight-year college basketball coaching career. I started SAWUSA because I believe some of the biggest growth for an athlete happens outside the gym—through experiences that build confidence, leadership, and character while representing something bigger than themselves. At SAWUSA, I handle the behind-the-scenes work—back-end operations and tour planning—to make sure every trip runs smoothly and families feel supported from start to finish. Before SAWUSA, I coached, taught, or worked at Hardin-Simmons University (TX), University of Wisconsin–River Falls (WI), Fayetteville Technical Community College (NC), Methodist University (NC), Wayne State College (NE), and Miller-Motte College (NC), and I also coached high school basketball, baseball, softball, and football. I earned my M.Ed. in Sports Management from Hardin-Simmons University. I live in Fuquay-Varina, NC with my wife Erika and our three kids—Harper, Hayes, and Henley.
Mike Spinner, Tour Coordinator
Mike Spinner joined SAWUSA in 2022 and plays a key role in guiding athletes and families through the entire selection process. He supports applicants from start to finish, conducts video interviews with each athlete, and helps select the athletes who will represent SAWUSA on tour. He also travels with teams, managing coaches and overseeing on-the-ground logistics—making sure athletes are supported, schedules stay on track, and the overall experience is smooth, safe, and unforgettable. Before joining SAWUSA, Mike built a long, successful career as an Athletic Director and coach at eight universities: Westchester CC (NY), Pace University (NY), Albertus Magnus College (CT), Notre Dame of Maryland University (MD), Yeshiva University (NY), College of Mount Saint Vincent (NY), Manhattanville College (NY), Manhattanville College (NY), and Salisbury University (MD). He holds an M.Ed. in Sports Management from SUNY Cortland (NY) and lives in Trumbull, Connecticut with his wife and son.
Sport Directors
You can find a list of all our past tour coaches, and information about how you can get involved as a coach on our COACH APPLICATION page. Our Sport Directors are veteran SAWUSA coaches who work with us help develop tours in their sport, enroll athletes on tours, and serve as Tour Coordinators.
Caroline Pape, Women's Lacrosse
Caroline Pape is the Head Women's Lacrosse coach at Moravian University (PA). Previously she coached at FDU-Florham (NJ). Pape graduated from FDU-Florham with a Bachelor of Art in Psychology and earned a Master of Art in Psychological Studies, Sport & Exercise Psychology from Seton Hall University (NJ).
Frank Rogers, Men's Lacrosse
Coach Frank Rogers is the head Men’s Lacrosse Coach at Siena Heights University (MI). He has coached on three previous SAWUSA Tours; the Lisboa Lacrosse Cup in 2019, 2022, and 2023. He was named the SAWUSA Coach of the Year in 2019. Previously he has coached at Warner University (FL), St. Ambrose University (IA), University of Montevallo (AL), Brevard College (NC), and Aquinas College (MI).
Patrick Coffey, Women's Basketball
Coach Patrick Coffey is the Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach College of San Mateo (CA). Coffey played basketball collegiately at Colby-Sawyer College (NH) where he was a two all-conference athlete. He has a B.S. in Sport Management from Colby-Sawyer and a Master’s in Sport Management from Bournemouth University (England). He also played professional basketball for the Massachusetts Monarchs of The Basketball League.
Brandon Averitt, Men's Basketball
Coach Brandon Averitt is the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach College of San Mateo (CA). Coffey played basketball collegiately at the University of Texas-El Paso (TX) and SUNY Canton (NY). He coached with SAWUSA at the 2024 United World Games and played for SAWUSA at the 2016 United World Games. He also played for Team USA at the 2019 Maccabi Pan-American Games.
Recent Tour Coaches
See a full list of our coaches since 2015 on our COACH APPLICATION page.