Director of Player Personnel Scranton Pioneers
Vena attended Colgate University in Hamilton, New York and graduated in 2000. And he finished his career with the Iowa Barnstormers in 2010 and Philadelphia Soul in 2011. Ryan finished his career as the Colgate and Patriot League"s all-time leader in total offense with 9,435 yards.
Vena is now the Director of Player Personnel and offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Yellow Jackets of American Indoor Football (AIF). Vena started his career in arena football in 2002. He currently has over 500 career touchdowns as of Friday April 23, 2010 reported on NFL network.His best years were with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers.
Vena received several college athletic scholarships upon his graduation from Chatfield Senior High School in Littleton, Colorado, after Vena"s dad mailed his highlight film to 50 colleges, and Colgate University was where he ended up.
Vena was named to 4 straight All-Patriot League 1st team All-conference selections, and was the 1st and only 3 time Patriot League Most Valuable Player. He was the first Patriot League quarterback to pass for over 7,000 yards and rush for over 2,000. The holder of 13 Colgate records in total offense and passing, he led Colgate to three straight appearances in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-Associate of Arts playoffs, and four straight winning seasons.
Ryan was named to the 15th and 25th Anniversary All-Patriot League Teams as the only Quarterback selected. And in 2008, Ryan was added to Colgate University Athletics Hall of Honor.
Professional career
Columbus Destroyers
Vena began his American Federation of Labor-Congress career with the Columbus Destroyers in 2004.
Vena was the Destroyers primary quarterback, throwing 3,081 passes, 57 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, Columbus finished the season 6-10. In 2005, he returned and competed with Matt Doctorate"Orazio all season long for the starting QB position. Albany Conquest
After the 2005 season, Vena moved to the af2, playing for the Albany Conquest.
Vena had his most success playing for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers from 2007 to 2009.
During that time, the Pioneers played in ArenaCup VIII and ArenaCup X, and was named the Most Valuable Player of ArenaCup VIII. During the regular season, the Pioneers went 41-7 while Vena was at the helm. Iowa Barnstormers
From 2006 to 2009, Vena played in the af2.
The Barnstormers began the year with Brian Villanueva. But in the first game of the year against the Chicago Rush, Villanueva threw three interceptions without a touchdown, and Vena came in as a replacement.
He started the rest of the season, throwing 3,924 yards, 78 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions.
Philadelphia Soul
In 2011, Vena moved to the Philadelphia Soul and began the year as the backup behind Justin Allgood. But after the Soul started the year 1-3, Vena replaced Allgood as the team"s starter, and finished out the season and broke the record for most rushing TDs in a season by a QB.
When the Arena Football League returned in 2010, Vena was a member of the Iowa Barnstormers.
