Alumni Update - Matt Ryan

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Alumni Update: Matt Ryan
2002 Graduate/Midfielder
College: Notre Dame 2006 Graduate
High School Honors: 1st Team All Central; 1st Team All State; 1st Team All American

Q: Give us a little update about yourself (What have you been up to):
A: I currently live in Chicago and met my wife here who I have been married to for over 2 years. I work as a portfolio manager for Volant, a high frequency trading company. We live in Lincoln Park with our dog Webster.

Q: When did you first start playing lacrosse & who got you started?
A: I started in 6th grade after meeting Mr. Middleton through ABA basketball. He encouraged me to come out and give it a shot. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I instantly fell in love with the game and it quickly became my favorite sport.

Q: What was your experience like while playing for Ridley?
A: My experience could not have been any better. I had amazing coaches from middle school to high school. Kevin Ellers really understood me as a player and was able to push me to achieve my ultimate potential. I also gained lifelong friendships with my teammates that could never be replaced.

Q: What is your favorite memory (or memories) while playing for Ridley?
A: My favorite memories have to be going back to back state champions and remaining undefeated senior year. Every team treated our matchup like a championship game and we never had a let down. In my last game, me and Bill McGlone ran a flip play that we had been working on all season and had the whole team thinking Billy had the ball as I rolled over it in from the other side. I just kept thinking just do not miss the net.

Q: Are you still involved in the game? When is the last time you played lacrosse?
A: I have unfortunately not played in many years since I moved to Chicago. I have worked with a few friends kids in developing their fundamentals of the game.

Q: Looking back, what’s one thing you took with you that you learned from playing Ridley
Lacrosse?
A: I would have to say my work ethic. I had a stick in my hands every chance I could because I wanted to be the best. Ridley instilled in me a never quit attitude and a working class mentality.

Q: What advice would you give to a future or current Ridley Lacrosse player or parent?
A: lacrosse gives you the opportunity to enhance your future by being a student athlete. You can leverage your athletic ability into an amazing degree that will be the foundation of whatever career path you choose. To the parents, as annoying as they may think you are being, stay on top of their grades and they will thank you in the future. Your ability can only take you so far, your GPA and test scores will take you the rest. I also think that kids should play multiple sports instead of focusing on just one. It helps them become a more well rounded athlete and allows them not to get burnt out so early in their career.