A lifelong Real Madrid soccer fan, Santiago De Vicente Cebrian ’25MSDS crossed an ocean three times to Bryant with the goal of finding a career path in the “beautiful game.”
When not taking classes in pursuit of his master’s degree in Data Science, De Vicente Cebrian volunteers as a team manager for the Bryant men’s soccer team. The job typically entails tasks like keeping track of gear and uniforms, but De Vicente Cebrian has significantly expanded the role by applying his talent for data analytics to the Bulldogs’ scouting operations.
De Vicente Cebrian first came to Bryant on a Universidad Francisco De Vitoria study abroad program in 2023, arriving almost simultaneously with the start of Ruben Resendes’ tenure as the team’s head soccer coach. A chance encounter on his first day in Smithfield led to a lasting relationship with Resendes and the team.
“It was the first time in my life outside of my country, and I overheard these guys speaking Spanish, so I went to them and said, ‘Nice to meet you,’” he recalls. “I became very good friends with them, and at one point in the spring they told me they had a scrimmage if I wanted to come. I was in the bleachers and Ruben was there with another Spanish player who had just signed, and the guys introduced me.”
De Vicente Cebrian told Resendes he loved soccer and, although he was not at a level to play Division I, he expressed an interest in getting involved with the Bulldogs.
“I told him I was a double major in business management and business analytics back home, and I’d love to work as a data analyst here,” he says. “He asked me if I would be at Bryant in the fall, and I said no, my study abroad ends in a month, but I can try to come back.
“He said if I came back, you’re on the team. It was like a movie.”
“He said if I came back, you’re on the team. It was like a movie.”
That’s how De Vicente Cebrian ended up with a second study abroad semester at Bryant and, when it ended, he made the decision to return for his MBA and remain part of a team that has enjoyed historic success, including winning an America East championship in 2023 and soaring to a 15-1-2 regular season record in 2025.
In the week leading up to each game, De Vicente Cebrian provides analysis about upcoming opponents’ past performances, looking at data points like goals scored, shots taken, time of possession, and positioning on the field.
“For example, when we faced the University of New Hampshire, I saw that this team loses more [one-on-one] duels than they win, so I recommended that we go harder into the duels. I also saw in the data that they didn't attack much in the early minutes of the game, so that means that maybe they start a little bit slow or are nervous in the game.”
De Vicente Cebrian’s coursework also has aided in his team role. For example, he says, Professor of Economic Analytics and Visualization Ramesh Mohan, Ph.D., taught him how to use Power BI, a Microsoft program he now employs for soccer data analysis and visualization.
Although he’s not a player on the field, De Vicente Cebrian says he is very much part of the soccer team. “I feel like another assistant coach; that’s how Ruben wants me to feel, and I am grateful for that,” he says.
The feeling is mutual.
“Santiago has been a fantastic addition to our team over the last few seasons,” says Resendes. “What started out as a traditional team manager role has turned into more of a data analyst position where he provides valuable insights and information regarding our opponents’ strengths and weaknesses, as well as our post-match analysis so we can look to develop certain areas of our own performance.
“His work has been a vital part of our day-to-day process, and [we are] implementing the information he provides into our practice plans and match prep.”
“I feel like another assistant coach; that’s how Ruben wants me to feel, and I am grateful for that."
De Vicente Cebrian is currently helping the team prepare for its opponents in the NCAA tournament, but his time at Bryant is quickly coming to an end. He’ll graduate with his MBA in December and plans to return home to Spain, where he will reunite with his family and girlfriend and start working on a postgraduate career.
His dream job would be performing data analysis for Real Madrid, where his family has had season tickets for three generations.
“That's what I work for,” he says. “I’ve been a Real Madrid fan all my life; my school was in front of the Bernabéu (the team’s home stadium). That's something that has always been on my mind every day. I can’t deny it.”
As with his unorthodox pathway to Bryant, De Vicente Cebrian is confident that he can make that lifelong dream a reality.
“Bryant taught me the art of figuring it out,” he says. “Sometimes you don't know what lies in the future, but you’ve just got to be disciplined, keep working, and keep believing because you don't know when the next opportunity is going to be, and you’ve got to always be ready.”