Board of Directors
Tony is a Serial Entrepreneur and has either been the founder or cofounder of Bancard, Inc., The Logix Companies LLC, Transactions Solutions LLC and CardConnect, Inc. amongst others.
Tony has been actively involved in hockey as a player, coach, administrator and has served or is serving as a Board Member or Executive Committee Member in multiple organizations including the United States Hockey League.
Jan and Tony Sdao founded the RoughRiders Sports Club to provide opportunities for student athletes to grow as individuals and teammates and for adults to meet and enjoy their time with others in the community. The Sdaos have two sons, Michael who is currently employed by the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League and Jonathan who is currently employed by BayWa r.e. Americas.
Derek Robinson currently holds the position of President at the RoughRiders Sports Club (RRSC) and Blue Sport Stable, where he is tasked with overseeing all surfaces, sports, and programs. The RRSC boasts a wide range of sports and programs across multiple states, including Colorado, Iowa, South Carolina, and Connecticut, with continued expansion on the horizon. With a membership consisting of thousands of youth and adult athletes, the RRSC offers a comprehensive array of sports, programs, and leagues, spanning from Hockey, Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, Figure Skating, Golf, Pickleball, Football, Sports Performance, CrossFit, and more.
Derek Robinson brings a wealth of experience to his role, backed by a Level 4 USA Hockey certification and over 18 years of involvement in the Colorado hockey scene. His journey includes coaching at all levels of Tier 1 hockey and High School, alongside serving as the original Director of Hockey Operations for Team Rocky Mountain, which later evolved into the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders (RMRR). Before assuming the Director role with RMRR, Robinson made significant contributions as a coach at both the High School and Tier 1 levels, while also establishing the Total Hockey Academy, a prominent hockey skills training facility in Westminster, CO.
In addition to his coaching and managerial roles, Derek Robinson has been actively involved in various league and team boards in Colorado and nationally. Currently representing the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders on the United States Hockey League Board, Robinson has played a pivotal role in spearheading the development of new programs and leagues across Colorado and beyond.
Rooted in Westminster, CO, Derek Robinson's hockey journey began with Hyland Hills, where he played youth hockey before progressing to Tier 1 hockey with Team Colorado. His hockey career took him to Canada, where he and his teammates secured a Canadian Collegiate Hockey National Championship during the 1995-96 season. Additionally, Robinson gained invaluable international hockey experience during his time overseas.
Debbie has been an integral part of the RoughRiders organization since the fall of 2013, bringing dedication and passion to her role. As a proud mother of two sons who played for the RoughRiders organization from 13U to 18U, Debbie's journey with the organization began as a team manager. Over the years, her responsibilities expanded significantly, encompassing registrar duties, management of player uniforms and apparel, and coordination of team travel arrangements.
Despite her sons transitioning to Junior hockey in 2018, Debbie's commitment to the RoughRiders remained unwavering. In recognition of her exceptional leadership and organizational skills, Debbie now holds a pivotal position overseeing the Operations Department for the RoughRiders Sports Club. Her enduring presence and contributions reflect her deep-rooted dedication to the organization and its mission of fostering athletic excellence and development within the community.
Ellen is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience across multiple sectors. As a co-founder of a thriving healthcare company valued at over $400 million, she held pivotal roles in construction, finance, strategy, and human resources. Following the sale of core business units to a Fortune 500 company in 2017, Ellen assumed the presidency of the remaining business, successfully growing it into a $50+ million enterprise with over 100 employees before its acquisition by a private equity healthcare firm in 2022, prompting her retirement.
Ellen's involvement with the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders began while her son was a player on the 18U team. Ellen secured the organization’s 501(c)(3) status, reflecting her commitment to youth sports and community development. Furthermore, Ellen's tenure as Treasurer for various associations across Colorado highlights her financial acumen and willingness to contribute to the administrative and financial aspects of community organizations.
- Evergreen CO Stingers Soccer Club (U8 – U13)
- Foothills Hockey Association (8U – 18U – USA Hockey)
- Arvada Hockey Association (8U – 18U – USA Hockey)
- Mountain Ice Hockey Association (JV and Varsity)
- Mullen High School Hockey Association (JV and Varsity)
- Colorado Competitive Youth Hockey League (8U – 18U - USA Hockey)
- Colorado Tier Hockey Association (Rocky Mountain RoughRiders AAA [“RoughRiders”] (13O – 18U– USA Hockey)
Ellen has also taken on the role of SafeSport Coordinator for the Rocky Mountain RoughRiders, collaborating with state and national committees to safeguard participants from misconduct and abuse.
Furthermore, Ellen is engaged in philanthropic work, developing budgeting and accounting policies for a nonprofit supporting Problem-Solving Courts in Jefferson County District and municipal courts in Lakewood, Colorado. These courts aim to enhance outcomes, reduce taxpayer costs, and break the cycle of the judicial system for participants and their families, promoting recovery, community safety, and stable families.
As an avid tennis player, Ellen has captained numerous teams in Colorado and Florida, currently serving as co-captain of a USTA team in Bonita Springs, Florida, and contributing to the PLCA Court Sports Advisory Group. Her diverse experiences reflect a commitment to professional excellence, community service, and athletic leadership.