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PARTNERS: RICK DODD As founder and president of Student-Athlete Advantage, Rick’s experience and background includes a unique combination of academic, athletic, and life experiences. Rick has over 18 years of experience working in private education having served as Associate Head of School, Chief Financial Officer, and Athletic Director. Rick has also managed financial aid, academic advising, and athletic promotion & recruiting programs. While at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School (MN), Rick managed all aspects of the School, overseeing the entire athletic department and nationally recognized hockey program. During his tenure, the School experienced unprecedented growth in enrollment, athletics, academic programs, and facilities. Rick’s hockey background includes a Jr. A National Championship with the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL and a successful NCAA DIII career at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. Rick has 15 years of hockey operations experience, having served as general manager, coach, coaching director, tournament director, and board member with several association and AAA programs for both boys and girls. During his 12 years of coaching, Rick always focused on life skills, character, respect, team building, and a proper balance between school and hockey; while ensuring his players were developing as players and people. On February 5th, 2009, Rick was surprisingly diagnosed with Cancer in the form of a Tumor in his Brain Stem. With treatments and a positive attitude, the original prognosis has improved significantly and Rick continues to win the battle. Rick’s journey has not only allowed him to pursue his passion to start this company focused on providing responsible guidance to student-athletes, but has also provided him with a life experience that can be an inspiration to SAA members. Rick currently resides in St. Louis, MO with his wife Mimi, son Trey, and daughter Samantha. MARTIN THOMPSON Vice President, Academic Advisor, Life Coach Martin “Scooter” Thompson has over 18 years of experience in education. Scooter earned his undergraduate degree in biology and chemistry with honors from Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL where he was pre-med and an avid hockey fan. Intending a career in sports medicine, an intermediary passion for education became his preferred career path when he began teaching science at Maumee Valley Country Day School. From there, he moved on to the premier independent school in the Midwest, the Latin School of Chicago, where he served as the youngest academic department head in the school’s history as Chair of the Science Department and obtained his masters degree in education from Columbia University’s prestigious Teachers College. Serving also as academic advisor and instructor to hundreds of student athletes at the Latin School of Chicago over the course of 11 years led him to being hand-picked to kick-start the Academic Program and implement a new student lap-top program at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School. While serving as Academic Dean at Shattuck, Scooter advised highly successful elite student — athletes in their pursuit of both academic and athletic excellence while ensuring NCAA clearinghouse eligibility, academic superiority and a high school education that didn’t just accommodate the rigors of the student-athlete but, rather, embraced and capitalized upon them.
V. GINA TOCCO Gina is the senior partner of the Law Offices of TOCCO, CONNELLY & ASSOCIATES, P.C. She is a native to the St. Louis area and attended Incarnate Word Academy High School. She graduated from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Economics. She was President of the Alpha Phi International Fraternity - Epsilon Xi Chapter and a Member of the SIU - Edwardsville Debate Team. She received her Juris Doctorate Degree from St. Louis University School of Law in 1992 and during her attendance at SLU was the American Bar Association Student Law Division Representative and a member of the National Moot Court Team. She was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 1992 and along with Mr. Kunin, has an extensive network of attorneys throughout the world. Gina has owned her own practice since 1994 and currently resides in Chesterfield, MO with her teenage daughter Maria. CONSULTANTS: ANNE SHANNON Anne is a physical therapist and owner of Full Circle Rehab. Her company provides rehabilitation and wellness services, including personal fitness training and group exercise classes. Anne graduated from Maryville University, St. Louis with a BS in Physical Therapy and a minor in science in 1998. She has spent the past eleven years working in multidisciplinary rehab settings with a focus on sports and orthopedic rehabilitation. In 2004, Anne became a Certified Pilates Instructor and began integrating transitional wellness programs and sport specific fitness training into her practice. Anne has worked as a consultant for a fitness start up in Palo Alto, California developing individualized exercise programs and software templates for documentation and staff training. Anne also partnered with a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT) to develop a Pink Pilates class for Breast Cancer survivors. In 2008, Anne completed the training to become a CLT and is a volunteer medical consultant for a local Lymphedema Support Group. Anne currently resides in St. Louis with her husband Dan and their son, Finnegan.
TODD NORMAN Todd was a member of Hill Murray’s undefeated 1983 MN State HS Championship team. During his career at Hill, Todd was Team Captain, Leading Scorer, MN State HS All City and All State. Todd has the distinction of being the first Hill Murray player ever drafted by the NHL Edmonton Oilers as the 63rd overall pick in 1984. Todd was a rostered alternate for the 1984 USA World Junior Hockey Team. Todd was awarded a full athletic hockey scholarship to the University of North Dakota where his career was shortened by a serious knee injury. Attempting a comeback from his injury, Todd played for the Knoxville Cherokees and Louisville Ice Hawks in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). After completing his playing career, Todd became active in coaching and hockey operations. Todd was the NAHL Fargo Moorhead Jets Owner, CFO, President, Director of Hockey Operations, and Assistant Coach. In his five years with the Jets organization, Todd played an integral role in three division titles, final playoff appearances, one Borne Cup Championship and one Jr A National Runner-Up. Todd has given countless hours to the development of young hockey players, several who have gone on to the NCAA and NHL. Todd is married to his wife Sheila and has two son’s Ryan 12 and Niklas 8.
RIK STONE Rik’s background and experience provides a variety of benefits to our Members. Rik’s hockey background includes a collegiate career at Bowling Green State University and eight years of professional minor league hockey in the CHL and IHL. After his playing career, Rik immediately became active in hockey operations and coaching. Rik is a USA Hockey certified Level 5 coach with over 25 years of coaching experience at association, AAA, high school, and Junior A levels. Rik has served as coaching director, director of player development, tryout evaluator, board member, and general manager. Most recently, Rik served as General Manager of the Springfield Jr. Blues in the NAHL. Rik is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), sharing 23 years of experience with our members and their families. Rik is a recognized lecturer, having made over 2,000 presentations on topics such as Financial, Education, Estate, Business & Retirement Planning and Investment Advice. Rik and his family have also served as a billet family for several players and he provides valuable experience and insight to those players and parents contemplating billeting. Rik currently resides in Springfield, IL with his wife Tammy, daughters Morgan and Cody, and son Trevor.
MARK KUNIN Mark Kunin brings a legal and business background to the group which benefits the members in many ways. Mark has a BA in Communications from the University of Denver and his JD from the University of Missouri. As an attorney, Mark has the background and knowledge to answer questions and provide guidance in a variety of areas including but not limited to rules and regulations involving students, general contract interpretation, and agent/athlete contract negotiation. Mark is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Illinois and along with Ms. Tocco, has an extensive network of attorneys throughout the world. As an entrepreneur, Mark brings extensive knowledge in marketing, branding, and communication. Personal presentation off the ice is often as important as the skill demonstrated on the ice. The student athlete must learn to handle themselves in these situations with a personal marketing plan for continued advancement. Mark’s has the passion of the game as he played at the highest levels in the St. Louis area and then went on to play club hockey at the University of Denver. After graduating from law school, Mark became active in hockey operations. Mark is a level 4 certified coach having coached for over 10 years at all levels of youth hockey. Mark has served on hockey boards of directors over 9 years, including currently serving on the Board of Directors for the St. Louis AAA Blues. |
