Our Team

Ryan & Morgan Mathews - Local Team Leader

Ryan graduated from N.C. State where he played baseball. He played 4 seasons in the minor leagues with the Oakland Athletics. Ryan was born and raised in Orlando, FL. He also attended University of Florida, Western Carolina, and Santa Fe College before arriving at NC State. Morgan graduated from Coastal Carolina University where she played soccer all 4 years. She grew up in Greenville, SC where she graduated from Southside Christian. Interesting fact about Morgan, her dad ran track at N.C. State and she was also born in Raleigh. Ryan & Morgan got married on 1/31/15 and have two children, Shelby and Oliver.

Aaron Fears

Full Time Staff -- Most of his life was been spent in the tiny, blue collar town of North Attleboro, Massachusetts. Upon graduating high school, Aaron went on to play football at The University of Massachusetts at Amherst where I graduated with a degree in Sociology. There, God led him to join AIA staff in the winter of 2011 and he was transferred to the AIA Raleigh team in the Spring of 2014. Aaron loves getting to teach athletes that finding their identity in Christ, not in their sport, will lead to ultimate freedom and joy. Some of his favorite things include, movies (superheroes specifically), reading, music, guitar, krav maga (self-defense) and working out!

Chris & Wendy Mucci

As AIA staff members, Wendy and Chris have the unique opportunity to equip athletes to become servant leaders who take their passion, faith, and sport to new places.  These athletes have a unique and effective platform not only in their circle of influence but globally as well. The vision of Athletes in Action is to have a Christ-follower on every team, in every sport, in every nation around the globe.  Wendy’s background in coaching, Chris’ love for sports, and their joy to see lives changed truly aligns them with this mission. Chris and Wendy have three wonderful children-- Christian (21), Brooke (20), and Reagan (18). They are excited to be part of the City of Raleigh Team! 

Amy Dodd

Jazmin Gonzalez

Amanda Smith

Throughout my college soccer career, I saw the need and opportunity to use this beloved game to advance the Gospel of Christ. God has given me such a great longing and desire to see athletes' lives change through the truth of the Gospel and transformational discipleship. He has given me a passion to use the gift of soccer to reach people with the sweet news of Jesus Christ. What a blessing it is to serve Him and witness lives change by His grace!  I believe now God has called me to use this passion for soccer and evangelism to impact players all over the world for His glory. I will be fulfilling this calling by investing the lives of college and professional athletes in Raleigh/Durham as well as directing international soccer mission tours. 

Zach & Diana Blaine

I work specifically with college and professional soccer players to introduce them to Jesus and build them up in their faith to have an impact in their communities for a lifetime. Diana, my wife invests her life with female athletes mostly on the campus of NC State in Raleigh, NC.  We have two young kids Laurel who is 6 and Lucas who is 3 years old. 

Russ & Mary

Throckmorton

Russ is from southwest part of Virginia and competed as a swimmer and football player at the University of Kentucky while graduating with a degree in Business Management. Mary grew up just outside of Denver Colorado and played soccer at UNC while graduating with a degree in Recreation Administration. They have three young sons, Silas, Eli, and Judah. Russ & Mary enjoy being outdoors, spending time at the beach, working out and ice cream. Russ and Mary serve in Cape Town, South Africa where they help lead the Athletes in Action team for South Africa.