Sweating for Vets
Infinitivians love to give back; it’s part of our culture and it’s contagious amongst our team. Often the organizations and events we get involved in are inspired by a personal connection.
We have always known Ryan Cox is not averse to working hard or sweating. Talk about “Everybody’s All American,” Ryan is an accomplished soccer player having played for various elite travel teams in NOVA growing up and for the United States Naval Academy. He also played professionally while stationed in San Diego. And he’s no stranger to giving back to the youth soccer community either, having been the head coach of Fairfax County’s Robinson High School’s Varsity Boys team, DC United Super Y-League U19/20 Boys Assistant Coach, BRYC Falcons U9/10 Boys Head Coach, and McLean Youth Soccer U.S. Soccer Development Academy U15/16 & U17/18 Boys Assistant Coach. As the Robinson High School Varsity coach, he was awarded the 2007 Northern Region Coach of the Year, 2007 Concorde District Coach of the Year, and 2006 Concorde District Coach of the Year.
Ryan Cox sweats for Vets.
A 1997 United States Naval Academy graduate, Ryan proudly served as a Surface Warfare Officer. He even had a cool exchange tour with the Brazilian Navy. (Ask him about the experience and he’ll tell you all about it – in Portuguese). In addition to his role as Infinitive Federal’s Director of Operations, Ryan also serves as the Small Business Committee Chair for the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association, Northern Virginia Chapter (AFCEA NOVA) and as President of the NOVA Young AFCEANs. (See Ryan’s full bio.)
So, I think Ryan’s service to our country pretty much earned him the right to bask in our appreciation over Veteran’s Day weekend. So what would compel this oh-so-busy guy to skip the opportunity to snuggle and play with his precious newborn and toddler and head out to the 2nd Annual Sweat for a Vet fundraising event? It’s simple. He believes in giving back. He says, “It’s important to donate money when you can.” And, he does that, too. But he gets more out of volunteer activities when he is a part of a team and actually does something. How’s that for leadership? I mean, it makes me want to follow his lead and do some giving back of my own this holiday season. How about you?
So, on November 12th, seven members of AFCEA NOVA participated in the 2nd Annual Sweat for a Vet fundraising event to benefit our wounded veterans. This three-hour fitness event, during which participants indoor cycle, row or hand cycle along with high-energy instructors and a live band, gave Ryan just the opportunity he was looking for to do something. And do something he and his fellow AFCEANS did – raising nearly $6,000!
“I really can’t describe in words what an incredible day it was,” shared Ryan. “It was truly a humbling and exhausting day, but to me well worth the miniscule three hours of sweat and pain I put in to help benefit our wounded warriors who truly deserve it and have given so much for me, to us and our country.”
Sweat for a Vet is hosted by Project VisAbility, a non-profit organization that promotes fitness for disabled veterans, athletes, and others with physical challenges, and took place at the Tysons Sport & Health fitness center in McLean, VA. Money raised for Sweat for a Vet will be used to provide fitness equipment for Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and other facilities supporting our Wounded Warriors’ rehabilitation.
So, on behalf of your fellow Infinitivians and your fellow Americans, thanks Ryan for your service and for giving back. I know the Wounded Warriors would agree.
