MEMORABLE MOMENTS
Ryan experienced other moments in his college career that will stick in his memory forever. Rip will never forget putting up 17 points in a win at Defiance College (in front of his friends and family). "The only reason I played enough to score 17 was because Brodie Garber broke his foot, so it was a bittersweet accomplishment."
A couple of other memorable moments took place as anassistant coach. The first was being in the NAIA Final Four in 2000; it was living the dream.
The second was also at an NAIA national tournament, but it took place off the court (an incident involving Adam Hill). "Let's just say my crown and dignity were taken that night," he jokes. So the next time you see Ryan at |
 |
a game, you can find out what happened that night!
FULL COURT PRESS OR FAST BREAK?
Ryan loved basketball and he also found another love while at Huntington. Ryan's version goes like this:
 |
"I met my wife the first night of my sophomore year at a street party.
She was all over me! Then she followed me everywhere until I finally took pity on her and decided to ask her out on a date!"
Knowing Ryan, we're pretty sure it was the other way around. It |
will be interesting to see how Sarah reacts to seeing Ryan's version in print. They are expecting their first child in September - and it's a boy! Rumor has it that Ryan is already negotiating with Coach for scholarship money (for a player to be named later).
THREE MORE YEARS!
After Ryan graduated with a degree in business, he thought it would be cool to go back for three more years and become a math teacher. Ryan had a lot of respect for Coach Platt, so he thought he'd see if he could help out as an assistant coach.
"At first, I wanted to be an assistant because Sarah and I were getting married and we were going to stay around Huntington anyhow. I thought I'd help out Coach Platt |
|
and Coach Glancy, but Coach Glancy resigned to spend time with his family, so I moved right into his role. I never knew he did so much," says Ryan.
LEARNING WHILE COACHING
When asked about his tenure as assistant coach, Ryan had this to say, "I learned so much about the game by
watching Coach Platt during practice and at the games.
I didn't really have to do much. Coach knew exactly what drills he wanted to run and the plays for any game situation. I was just along for the ride (and keeping notes for him). Just look at his record as a coach. I learned how to win from Coach Platt."
While he learned a lot about the X's and O's of basketball, Ryan says that he learned |
 |
more about being a person than a coach.
"One of the greatest things I learned was how Coach Platt treated people off the court. He gave everyone the utmost respect. It didn't matter if it was President Dowden or the manager of another team. He treated everyone as the most important person in the world.
"I also learned about priorities. Coach always put his family before basketball and he put God before all. He talked the talk and he walked the walk. I think that's what his players love about him the most."
WHERE IS HE NOW?
After a few years as assistant coach (and seven years of school), Ryan decided to go to work and he's now teaching high school math at Pike-Delta-York High School (near Toledo, OH).
Besides teaching, Ryan is coaching. He's the coach of the 7th grade boys' basketball team, assistant coach of the Tigers varsity basketball team, and assistant coach of the varsity baseball team (2005 League Champs).
In his free time he likes to play a little softball and enjoys keeping the talk going on basketball fan forums such as can be found at HuntingtonHoops.net.
Even though Rip has been out of his green jersey for six years, he still cares about Huntington basketball. His teaching obligations keep him from most of the games, but he has found ways to support the program.
|
