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It's always taken a lot to keep COASTER-net running on a daily basis. This section is devoted to the site itself - to the people behind it, the ones who have helped our site to succeed over the years, the site's history, and of course the ones who visit on a regular basis! Learn how the site began here, learn which projects outside of the site we've been involved in, and apply for staff if you're interested in joining our talented team! And if you have feedback on COASTER-net, please do share your comments with us!.
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Devin Olson, a.k.a. Blast Coaster -
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Who am I? The story of my life, my amusement park and ride interest, and the onset of a project named COASTER-net all collided eight years ago. In 1997, ten years after my life began in Manassas, Virginia, I found myself halfway across the state strapped into a train with twenty-nine others falling over a wooden cliff. That first major roller coaster, Rebel Yell at Paramount's Kings Dominion, not only launched our train over airtime hills, but also an enthusiasm in thrill rides and inherently theme parks I soon realized would last a lifetime.
I also knew that this wouldn't stop at merely a personal hobby. I wanted to share my interest with the world. So, armed with a camera, an inquisitiveness to know everything there was about my subject matter, and the resolve to create an unparalleled resource for anyone remotely like myself to enjoy, I began a web site named "COASTERnet" the next year, utilizing the growing phenomenon known as the internet.
Over the seven years that have followed, tough times and exhausting work have given way to a rewarding coaster organization that continues to grow at an ever-increasing pace. All it takes is the company of some of the awesome staff of COASTER-net, awesome people in the theme park industry, or a day at one of their amazing theme parks that we cover each day to see why I enjoy what I do so much.
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Daniel Westfall, a.k.a. Raptor1980 -
Staff Manager |
Vice President | |
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Hello, my name is Daniel Westfall,
I am COASTER-net.com's Vice President and Staff Manager. In these new roles, I continue to play a large support role, as I work to hire, train, assist, and oversee all current and future staff projects (with the assistance of our other Admins). Though most of you may not see what I do, except for forum moderation, I assure you that I am working behind the scenes to help COASTER-net's other staff members perform to the best of their ability, and to give you all the best quality website that we can offer.
Comments, concerns, constructive criticism and suggestions are all welcome. Just send me a PM anytime.
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Matthew Rydzik, a.k.a. CoasterBGW -
Server Administrator | |
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I have been with COASTER-net for six years now and it has been the best time of my life. I hope to continue helping out with COASTER-net to bring all of our loyal viewers fast and quality content. At first I started doing the Coaster Quiz and then expanded to the Web Links. At that time I was promoted to Co-Webmaster and have worked some way on every part of the site.
I got interested in roller coasters about 3 1/2 years ago after a visit to Knoebles, and when I got home I just wanted to learn all about them. Since that time I have traveled to most of the east coast going to over 15 amusements parks east of the Mississippi. So far out of all the parks that I have visited my favorite one would have to be Cedar Point; the shear magnitude of the park overwhelmed me the first time that I visited. Right now my favorite steel roller coaster would have to be Superman: Ride of Steel at Six Flags New England tied with Millennium Force at Cedar Point. My favorite wooden roller coaster would be Phoenix at Knoebles.
I am 18 years old and live in the small town of Endwell, New York. I live about 3 hours from Hersheypark, Knoebles, Dorney, and Six Flags Darien Lake. I would consider Hershey my home park because I make at least 3 visits to the park a year. I don't go to parks that often because of the 3 hour drive.
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Paul S., a.k.a. Coaster Sim. Fan -
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My name is Paul but most people here probably still know me as Coaster Sim. Fan (my user name) or now my abbreviation CSF. I have been fascinated with coasters for as long as I could remember, but my enthusiasm for coasters greatly grew after my 8th-grade trip to Hersheypark. My friends convinced me to go on the Great Bear and the rest of it is history you can say, ever since that day, I have been riding and researching about coasters.
I would say that I came across COASTER-net about three years ago and have been coming back ever since. I decided to register in September `05 and joined the staff as a forum mod later that year. Since then, I moved up the ranks taking on new responsibilities and challenges.
Now that I am up at the top, my goal like always though isn’t to just take a title and enjoy the perks of being up high but to still push myself to help make a great site even better.
So while we’re at it my interests out side of coasters, which usually lead back in some way shape or form, such as my RCT3 moods, including video production / editing, computer graphics, 3D modeling, and web design. I will be entering collage in the fall pursuing degree in computer science.
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Brandon Bushman, a.k.a. Coasterholic14
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Hey, I'm Brandon, though I'm probably better known on this site (and other sites) as Coasterholic14, or "Coaster" for short. The first time I really realized that I truly loved coaster was probably around 1999, when my family started centering more trips around amusement parks. This was helped out by the various amusement park games that came out, most notably, the Roller Coaster Tycoon series.
Around 2002 my love of roller coasters and amusement parks turned into a passion and a hobby; this was when I finally joined ACE and found a home among friends with a common passion, and I have remained a member ever since.
I joined this website in 2004 to share my passion with others. My post count may not be all that high, but I try to make every post count. I enjoy intellectual conversations about the rides and parks, so if you're ever looking someone to chat with or share your thoughts with, feel free to send me a message or get in contact with me.
Moving to the present day, I am currently finishing up my senior year at NC State (graduate May '10), obtaining my degree in Mechanical Engineering. I went into the field of Mechanical Engineering for my skills with numbers, logic, anazlyzation, and of course, my hopes of landing a job in the amusement industry.
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Brandon Teller, a.k.a. BRTeller
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Hi, my name is Brandon Teller and I'm very active all over the coaster community. I've been doing this whole website business for about 5 going on 6 years now, and currently have my own growing site www.brandonscoasters.com. I'm respected staff at various other websites, including C-net of course. I've been obsessed with coasters before I was three, I know becuase my first coaster (that I remember) was a wacky worm at some fair. I was so excited to ride it then, and pretty sure it wasn't my first. I find it kind of cool, becuase that was my first memory, and I've never forgotten it. I even remember going to bed that night. (That was obviously my most memorable birthday.) So theirs some back history on why coasters are a huge fraction of my life, and mean so much to me.
Surprisingly though (Shocking Face), I have other things I enjoy doing besides coasters. A big sport I love doing, is Snow Boarding, and having a ski resort 10 mins from my house. It's very easy for me to go and do it. I also hang out with my best friend, Tyler all the time, and we go do roller coasters all over the country every year.
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Hey, I'm Kevin. My home park is Six Flags St. Louis. I began my interest in roller coasters when I was 7 with Scorpion at Bush Gardens Africa. I am the director of the Social Networking, Special Listings, Download Extras, Ride Listings, and the photo galleries. If you have coaster pictures you're willing to share, send them to me. My email is up there^. When I'm not working on the site or doing my homework, I'm probably at marching band or doing something music related. There isn't much on this site that I haven't worked on at one point in time.
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Ryan Shrout, a.k.a. CoasterCrazy
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Hey, I'm Ryan Shrout though most of you probably know me as CoasterCrazy. As you can tell if you've been on the forums at all and seen my name all over the place, I am enthralled with coasters. From my first coaster ride on the Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland I was hooked.
For my 15th birthday, my aunt made the mistake of buying me Roller Coaster Tycoon. In an effort to create better and more realistic rides, I began studying real life roller coasters. That search for information and knowledge led me to Coaster-net where I drank in the knowledge of those more experienced than myself.
A little more than a year later, I finally decided to join. What has happened since then could accurately be called a love affair between myself and thrill rides as I learn more everyday and as my coaster and park counts continue to grow.
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Carsten Anderson, a.k.a. ohiocoasterman -
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Park Gallery Webmaster |
Ride Gallery Webmaster |
Ride Gallery Webmaster | |
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Hi, my name is Carsten I am 22 and I live in Ohio. I have been in the roller coaster business since I was little baby. My first one I ever went on was at the now past Geauga Lake. It was Raging Wolf Bobs, and that was when I first got hooked.
I am a staff member here at COASTER-net since 2003 and I take pictures at parks all over and also do video. I travel all over to get the thrill for you all to see!
Talk to me on my Facebook! facebook.com/ look for Carsten Anderson
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Chad B., a.k.a. Nessie -
Special Listings Webmaster |
Park Gallery Webmaster |
Ride Gallery Webmaster | |
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Hi! I'm Chad, a little kid out east. On the boards, just call me Nessie. I am currently obsessed with coasters, though I am a bit scared to actually ride some of the taller ones. Even so, I am trying to learn all about them and possibly pursue a career in the design field, or be a film director if that doesn’t work out. If that doesn't work out, I could also try to pursue some of my other interests, such as singing and acting. I also enjoy playing soccer and running cross-country.
Why I am in love with coasters...well, when I was still a munchkin, I received a book with roller coaster mazes. The book led me to believe that Texas Giant was the best coaster on earth, so I went and Googled it. And after a while, I found myself here!
Hope to see you around!
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Kyle Ross, a.k.a. krosscoasters -
News Writer |
Special Listings Webmaster |
Ride Gallery Webmaster |
Park Gallery Webmaster | |
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Hey. I'm Kyle, or as most members know me, krosscoasters. I live in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, and I'm part of my school's marching band as well as its concert band. I have two cats, Caesar and Shadow. But enough about that... I have been interested in coasters since I was very young, but my interest skyrocketed in 2005 when I was granted a Hersheypark Season Pass for that year, and has remained steady ever since.
In fact, my interest in Hersheypark later took me to the internet in 2006, looking up information and photos on several of their coasters such as Comet, SDL and Great Bear. My search eventually led me to Coaster-net, particularly the Ride and Park Galleries. I continued to look up other coasters on Coaster-net as well. Then, I discovered the discussion forums in summer of 2007. The first topic to catch my eye was the Cedar Point's Future topic, and I became acquainted with the forums's general atmosphere. And then, of course, I later found the Pointless thread that fall, a time when there was a post in it every two minutes.
So, I remained a quiet observer until April of 2008, when I really considered joining. I made the obligatory plead to my parents for their permission, and joined on April 27, 2008, making my first post in the Roll Call thread at 6:30 that night. Over the course of those two years, I remained as active as possible. But eventually, I wanted to become more involved with the site in general, which is why I began to apply for staff. And while I'll admit that it has been a rather long road in that case, I couldn't be more honored with my position as a News Writer and a Special Listings Webmaster here on Coaster-net.
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Patrick Leaske, a.k.a. CPF -
Download Extras Webmaster |
Feature Writer |
Graphics Designer |
Ride Gallery Webmaster |
Park Gallery Webmaster |
Discussion Forum Moderator |
News Writer | |
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Hi, I'm Patrick Leaske. I joined this site to learn and pursue my interest in coasters, and I think I've accomplished my goal. I am currently a Junior in high school, and hope to pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering. This job has brought me a lot of experience, and many life lessons. I hope to keep with the site as I get older, and stay active along the way. I am one of the top Nolimits users on the site, running most of the contests for them along with making sure it is a site priority. If you have a question about Nolimits, ask me.
Currently, I basically do all that I can to help, making graphics, writing articles, and running contests for the site. I am also a DE webmaster, so if you are wondering about a file or have an issue, consult me. I hope to increase my activities furthermore in the future.
Well, that's about it, I'm CPF in the forums, and my Nolimits "Manufacturing Company" is CPF Ride Industries. Hope to see you in the forums and the DE!
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Tyler Carlton, a.k.a. Raptor -
Feature Writer |
Park Gallery Webmaster |
Ride Gallery Webmaster |
News Writer | |
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Hello, I am Tyler, but I more commonly go as Raptor around here. I have loved coasters as long as I can remember. Ever since a young age, I have been going to Cedar Point nearly every year, and I plan on working there in the summer of 2011. In my free time I enjoy playing sports such as basketball and golf, designing coasters with NoLimits, and hanging out with my friends. I'll be attending the University of Michigan in the fall to study biomedical engineering.
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Hello,
My name is Brian Bass, I have been a part of this site for around six and a half years. I have seen a lot of people come and go, for many valid reasons. I am dedicated to promoting a better, more exciting Coaster-Net and I encourage you all to be just as motivated. I love roller coasters, and I always shall. I am studying Film and I hope someday to direct major films, and possibly attraction designs for Disney or Universal. I live by the word of God, and and I try to enjoy everyday of my life.
Here at coaster-net I am dedicated to producing top-notch photos of any and all parks that I travel to. I hope to keep adding and updating the pictures to the site and building this site up even greater than it already is. I look forward to working with you all, and feel free to ask me any questions, although I might not be the best person to ask about some stuff. Thanks
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Cameron North, a.k.a. Melfox
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Hey, my name is Cameron North. I'm relatively new to COASTER-net, but I look forward to getting involved. I got involved with coasters in 8th grade when Ryan (a.k.a. Coastercrazy) quite literally forced me on Hangman, then proceeded to force me on Dueling Dragons on a following class trip. Since then I've gotten over my fear of coasters and have no problems with them, but sadly, I don't quite have the means to go to parks as often as I like. However, I still enjoy going to Islands of Adventure in Orlando, FL.
My role on here is to help with graphic design projects in some capacity. I've been teaching myself how to use Photoshop CS3 Ex. for the last few years and I'm excited to finally be able to put what I've learned to good use. I look forward to learning more about graphic design and coasters.
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John Thompson, a.k.a. TopThrill13
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My name is John Thompson. I live in Manassas, Virginia, and I consider my home-park to be Kings Dominion. I have used COASTER-net for years but it was only 2 or 3 years ago that I realized that I lived about 5 minutes from Devin, the president of the site. We became friends and here I am a new staff member of the site. I have been a rollercoaster nut longer than I have been riding rollercoasters. I have been obsessed since 1998 when the first RollerCoaster Tycoon game came out. I rode my first rollercoaster (Anaconda) in 2001. Since then I have been on rides such as Top Thrill Dragster, Kingda Ka, El Toro, Volcano, Incredible Hulk, Rock ‘N’ Rollercoaster, Griffon, Led Zeppelin, Fahrenheit, and Batwing. During the summer my girlfriend Becky and I love to travel to theme parks, and ride as many rollercoasters as we can.
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Lee Sandy, a.k.a. Yeah Boii
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I am Lee Sandy, or as some of you may know, I'm also known as the "yeah boii". Born and raised in southwest Ohio, I am very much a fan of roller coasters. The Beastie @ Kings Island was my first coaster and from there I experienced the Beast, the Vortex and the All-American classic, The Racers. Of course, nothing is quite like Cedar Point!
As one of COASTER-net's liaisons to Kings Island, I have yet to ride the latest addition to their thrilling fleet of coasters, the Diamondback. This is something I look forward to experiencing with my wife, Kristine and my good buddy, Devin Olson.
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Mike Strobel, a.k.a. The BeastFan
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Hello, I'm known as The BeastFan on the forums here and silver2005 at most other sites (paticularly, KICentral and KIExtreme). I'm from Cincinnati and have lived there all my life. I currently attend the University of Cincinnati as an undecided major, mainly due to major medical issues, and a proud saxophonist in the Bearcat Bands. My home park is obviously Kings Island though I do frequent Cedar Point every few years and will probably doing the same for Holiday World. As with my screen name, I am a HUGE fan of both Beast and Son of Beast and will defend The Beast in any argument (not so much with SOB). I've been on the forums for 4 years and have held positions in news writing, feature writing, and now a Park/Ride Gallery Webmaster and hope to serve the site, and the coaster/park loving community for years to come.
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Patrick Andrews, a.k.a. Patrick Andrews
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Much like a roller coaster, my life has had many quick-turns and steep drops unlike many others' lives! After surviving a near-fatal automobile accident, coma and therapy in Lynchburg, Virginia, I did additional therapy in Texas, and finally returned to Liberty University in Virginia! Being from Texas, I grew up riding coasters at Six Flags over Texas in Arlington. Relocating to Virginia has provided me the wonderful opportunity to visit Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens Europe -- which I LOVE!!!!!!
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Ryan Houtz, a.k.a. Ryan Houtz
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My name is Ryan Houtz. I’m from Leesburg, Virginia and have been from this area my whole life. I’m a senior at Liberty University studying film and video production. I have to say my favorite type of movie has to be horror movies. That makes September and October some of my favorite months of the year. This is the time that amusement parks around the country have one theme and one goal, to scare the crap out of you. When it comes to roller coasters and other types of attractions I like pretty much everything. I’ve been going to amusement parks ever since I was little. The first one I ever went to was Kings Dominion. I have lots of good memories of going there with my family. Other than Kings Dominion I’ve been to several other parks on the eastern coast. Most recently I spent some time in Orlando for my sister’s wedding. We had the opportunity to visit Disney World and both Universal Studios parks. They were all amazing. It made me realize my favorite parts about rides and that is themes. The thrill that you get on a roller coaster is great but when it’s accompanied with some kind of story, no matter how lame it is, it just tops off the experience.
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Ryan Peake, a.k.a. AdrenalinRider
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Hey, I'm Ryan and I'm a long time Coaster enthusiast! I grew up in Virginia so I spent plenty of summer days visiting parks such as Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens, and Water Country USA and of course always loved visiting other parks when I was out of state as well.
I'm absolutely crazy about rides that push the limits, so a lot of my energy when exploring parks will be devoted to these type of rides. Still, I understand that a park is more than it's biggest 2 or 3 coasters, so I make it a point to judge based on the "Whole Park Experience!"
Other than that, I enjoy running, eating fine food, and learning about planes (among other things!)
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Would you like to become part of the action at one of the largest resources for parks and rides in existence? We're always looking for new talent to compliment our Staff at COASTER-net! If you love thrill rides and talented in any of our areas of work, see our Staff Application page for more information, including job descriptions and information on our rewards system.
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