Ryan Townzen is in his first full year as the director of recreation at St. Olaf in 2024-25 after being promoted to the role in February 2024.
Townzen came to St. Olaf in 2018 as the assistant director of recreation before his promotion in 2024. In his role, Townzen primarily directs, organizes, supervises, and evaluates all aspects of the intramural and club sports programs on campus while also overseeing building management in Tostrud Center and Skoglund Center.
Prior to coming to St. Olaf, Townzen worked as the intramural coordinator at the University of Minnesota from 2013-18. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in sport sciences from the University of the Pacific in 2010 and went on to earn a master's degree in sport leadership from Northeastern University in 2013.
Townzen and his wife, Katie, have two children - Peyton and Emmett.