Ryan

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

Ryan loves the competition. He loves the physical aspect and how sports pushes him to be better. He loves being part of a team. It gives him a space where he feels like he belongs. Sports gives him an opportunity to connect with people he might not have otherwise crossed paths with. He has built a community through sports which includes his coaches which are his mentors and lifelong friends.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

Kobe Bryant inspires him because of his laser focus. He always worked hard at perfecting his fundamentals to be the best. He always listens to the story about how he was the worst basketball player at 11, hardly scoring a point until he started putting in max effort. It reminds him that you get what you put into the game and it helps him lock in.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

This year Ryan hit his first grand slam. The HR itself wasn’t what made me so proud, it was the road that got him there. He started in both baseball & basketball as a bench player.…an extra. He hardly got any playing time. He showed up to every game, practice & clinic available. He worked extra every single week to get better while others relied on their natural talent to carry them. That day I watched the playing field level and he saw his efforts pay off & I couldn’t have be prouder.