Ryan Ratner '16 Recruiting Profile

My name is Ryan Ratner.  While I have always done well in school academically, and I have always endeavored to be well-balanced in my interests and pursuits, I can honestly say that soccer is my number one passion.  From an early age, soccer was the sport that I wanted to focus on.  My birthday parties were held at the indoor soccer studio.  On the weekends, I would grab my friends and we would go to the local field and play soccer just for fun.  As I got older, I started doing independent training (strength and skill) in addition to three-day-a-week club practice and weekend games.  I even convinced my Dad to take my brother and I to England to see a few games live and tour my favorite team's stadium.

My work ethic is clear.  I work hard at school, as evidenced by my grades, and I work hard at soccer.  With independent training and regular team training, it isn't unusual for me to practice four or more hours in a day.   But I never complain -- rather, I love it, because when I am playing soccer, I feel at home.

I do have other interests -- I have spent most of my summers (when I am not playing soccer) at camps in the Sierra Nevada mountains, either as a camper or as a counselor working with other kids.  I like working with little kids and helping them.  I've been recognized in school by my peers as someone to admire, and I always try to act as a leader, whether it is on the pitch, with my friends, or with little kids.

To be honest I'm not exactly sure what I want to focus on in college academically -- I'm leaning toward the sciences right now -- but I know that I want soccer to be a major part of my college experience.  While a lot of people may consider themselves good student athletes, I think that I am one of the rare ones whose focus and work ethic shows on and off the field --- as a hard worker who excels at school, as a leader on and off the field, and as a person of character that others admire and respect.