« Men’s Soccer 2018

Ryder Bell

School
College of William & Mary
Position
Forward
Major
Economics

Classroom

Ryder Bell is on track to graduate from William & Mary in the spring of 2019. He is majoring in economics with a minor in marketing, and he maintains a grade-point average of 3.75. An exceptional student in the classroom, he earned the university’s Provost Award during each of his first three years on campus. The award honors W&M student-athletes who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better.

In 2017, Bell became the 10th William & Mary men’s soccer player to be named a Google Cloud/College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-American, earning third-team honors. He also earned a spot on the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Men’s Scholar All-South Region First Team last year along with being named first-team Academic All-District by CoSIDA.

In the spring of 2018, Bell was named the winner of W&M’s prestigious Bruce Davidson Memorial Scholarship. The honor is given to a rising senior male Olympic sport student-athlete who has a grade-point average of 3.25 or higher and is both an outstanding student and athlete.

During the summer of 2018, Bell interned in commercial banking for JPMorgan Chase in San Francisco. He also completed with Premier Development League team San Francisco City FC during his time on the West Coast.

Character

Bell has been a leader on the William & Mary men’s soccer team throughout his career, including helping the program to its eighth Colonial Athletic Association Championship in 2018. He has been instrumental in developing a team culture in which players are motivated by each other’s success. Over the last two years, the Tribe has owned a 23-12-7 record.

Community

Within the Williamsburg community, Bell and the William & Mary soccer program have been heavily involved with Child Development Resources (CDR). CDR strives to inspire and empower children, families and early childhood professionals to reach their full potential, whatever their challenges, and serves approximately 1,200 children and their families each year. Along with his teammates, Bell volunteered at the CDR SuperHero 5K and the Bid ‘n Buy Auction as well as one Kids’ Night each of the last four years. In 2018, the SuperHero 5K raised more than $50,000 and the auction generated nearly $180,000 for the babies, young children, and families of the Historic Triangle.

In the spring of 2017, Bell volunteered with CDR individually. Every Friday, he helped with for the organization’s play group. Bell tutored Math at Hornsby Middle School once a week in the spring of 2017 as well.

Competition

On the field, Bell has established himself as one of the top players in both the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and the region along with ranking among the top nation’s top returning performers in nearly every offensive statistical category.

He is a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-Region Third Team selection and a two-time All-Colonial Athletic Association selection, including first-team honors last season. A three-time Virginia Sports Information Director’s All-State Second Team selection, he was named to the preseason All-CAA team for the third consecutive season in August.

Statistically, he entered his senior season ranking in the top 15 among active NCAA Division I players in three categories. He was seventh in points (63) and assists (17) as well as 13th in goals (23). As of nomination time Bell was closing in on the Tribe’s career top 10 list in all three categories as well.

In 2017, Bell led the CAA and ranked eighth nationally with 10 assists. He added 24 total points and seven goals, which both ranked second in the CAA. That season, he also helped W&M to its eighth CAA Championship and tallied three assists during the league tournament on his way to CAA All-Tournament Team honors.

Bell led the Tribe in goals with seven as a freshman in 2015 and followed up with nine goals during his sophomore season. He ranked fourth in the CAA in both points (22) and goals (9) in 2016. Seven of his career goals have been game-winners.