University of North Dakota Athletics

  Native of Chicago, Ryan is the only player at UND or any NCC school ever to be named an All Conference player four years-twice at end and twice at halfback. There is no question he ranks among a handful of great UND receivers. Twice he was named to Little All America teams in Sioux career 1951-54. He also lettered three times as a fine track sprinter. After leaving UND he spend seven years at Willows, Cal., and 12 years at Walnut Creek. He had a tryout with the then Chicago (now St. Louis) Cardinals. In 1950 he scored the first time he handled the football as a back. "Excellent preparation for coaching under Frank Zazula enabled me to enjoy a degree of success as a football coach," he said. Many say he was the greatest NCC player in the early 1950's.