Connor Ryan '14 Recruiting Profile

My name is Connor Ryan. I am a six foot, 185 pound, right handed pitcher. I have been playing baseball my entire life and have won numerous MVP and pitching awards. But honestly, in addition to the recognition baseball has given me, the life lessons it has given me will be what lasts and has helped to build my character on and off the field. Since eighth grade, when I was a starting pitcher on the Williamsville North High School JV team and won the JV pitching award, I have wanted to play college baseball. My parents have supported me every step of the way and chose to send me to Canisius High School, a Jesuit college preparatory school in Buffalo, because they knew that I needed more than talent to make my college dream come true. I needed to build my skills certainly, but they knew I needed to build my academics and my character as well. At Canisius I was also proud to skip freshman ball and play on the JV team (Canisius Blue) and win the rookie of the year award which is typically not awarded at the JV level. My freshman year of baseball was incredible at Canisius and I was able to pitch and also play third base and hit in every game. My sophomore year at Canisius I was asked to play at the Varsity level. I was on the starting rotation which was a great honor for any underclassman at Canisius HS which has long successful Baseball history. I learned a lot from the upper classman which included dedication and sacrifice. For spring break our team went to play in the Tampa Jesuit Tournament in Tampa Florida. I got the start---pitching against the number 1 ranked HS team in the country – Tampa Jesuit High School. The great thing that came out of the trip was getting to know my teammates and a chance to meet and learn from Lance McCullers, a senior at Tampa Jesuit who offered to give me some pointers and advice. But the best opportunity I’ve been given is playing for Justin Santonocito and the Academy Stars. Justin has taught me new pitches and pushes me physically and mentally. It is a team of all-stars who demand as much from themselves ad they do each other. This summer’s season ended with me pitching a complete game to win our final tournament. I threw 91 pitches for seven hits, four strikeouts and one walk. We won the championship – 6 to 2. Trophies, awards and homerun balls on my shelf are cool. But my dream of playing at the collegiate level is what drives me. Baseball has taught me many life lessons including leadership and perseverance and I hope to continue to build my skills in college.