RALPH S. VENTRE
Strategic Communicator | Social Media Strategist | On-Air Talent | Freelance Writer | New Jersey guy | Fordham University Alumnus | Buffalo Bills diehard | Mets fan | Political Science Junkie
Ralph Ventre has built a career as a reputable strategic communicator, specifically in the world of athletics.
He served the NCAA Division I Northeast Conference (NEC) for 15 years holding three different titles during his tenure, which began in 2007.
Ventre left his position as Assistant Commissioner for Communications & Digital Media Strategy in January 2022.
Ventre was the NEC’s media relations contact for football, women’s basketball, baseball, women’s bowling and track and field, and assisted with conference championship administration, special events, league publications and maintenance of the NEC’s website.
Initially joining the NEC in a media relations role, Ventre’s responsibilities expanded to include the conference’s social and digital media initiatives. The New Jersey native was a driving force behind the league’s digital media expansion as a primary developer of digital and social media strategy and content.
In his time overseeing and crafting the league’s social media content, the NEC greatly expanded its brand recognition and broadened the reach for the conference. He spearheaded the presentation of the NEC’s well-received All In, Ball Out basketball branding campaign that launched prior to the 2018-19 season.
Ventre also crafted social media promotional efforts at NEC championships and conference-hosted events, such as the league’s annual Media Days for football and basketball. In 2016, Ventre handled marketing, promotions and media relations duties for the NCAA Bowling Championship with the NEC serving as the official event host.
Ventre developed the NEC Overtime! blog in 2011 as a destination for original content, and served as its primary writer.
Ventre also served as an on-air presence on NEC Front Row, the league’s digital network that launched in 2012. He wrote and hosted the weekly “Whole Nine Yards” show during football season, while his “NEC on the Run” show spotlighted women’s hoops happenings each winter.
Outside of his communications duties, Ventre worked extensively on the conference’s on-air football package on ESPN3, from scheduling games to assigning talent to serving as an executive producer.
Prior to his arrival at the NEC, Ventre spent two years as an Assistant Sports Information Director at Manhattan College. In that role, he served as primary media contact for a host of sports, including women’s basketball and volleyball, and supervised the office’s staff of student workers.
Ventre took on additional responsibilities as a Production Assistant for the Manhattan College Basketball Weekly television show that debuted on SportsNet New York (SNY) in January, served as Media Relations Coordinator for the MAAC Cross Country and Indoor Track & Field Championships in each of the last two years and assisted with media duties at the 2006 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in Trenton and Bridgeport.
Ventre worked as a Field Reporter/Writer for PA SportsTicker from 2006 through 2010, covering numerous sporting events on behalf of the newswire organization, including the U.S. Open Tennis Championships and NCAA Men’s Basketball East Regional. He also spent three years as an Administrative Assistant for The Hoop Group from 2001-04.
Ventre has been honored with numerous CoSIDA Excellence in Writing awards throughout his career.
The New Jersey product is a 2005 graduate of Fordham University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. While at Fordham, he served as men’s basketball team manager for three seasons. Ventre was also the recipient of the Patrick Kenneally Memorial Award, presented to the Fordham student who best serves the athletic department in capacities other than athletic participation.
He lives in Monmouth County, NJ with his wife and three children.
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