Tom Ryan to headline OSU Alum Club meeting

Ohio State head wrestling coach Tom Ryan will be the guest speaker at the Ohio State Alumni Club of Tuscarawas County’s annual membership meeting on April 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Factory Street Pub & Grill.Ryan has led the Ohio State wrestling program to its first-ever national championship. The Big Ten Coach of the Year in both 2015 and 2017, Ryan concluded his 11th season in Columbus last March by watching Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder win his second straight NCAA championship while guiding the Buckeyes to a national runner-up finish. The 2017 Buckeyes produced a school-record six All-Americans and won the program’s second Big Ten championship in the last three years.In all Ryan has coached six different student athletes to 11 national championships including Logan Stieber, a four-time champion. In the NCAA championship team race, the Ryan-led Buckeyes have finished in the Top 10 in 10 of the last 11 seasons including the 2015 national title and runner-up finishes in 2008, 2009 and 2017.Academically Ryan’s student athletes have had six Buckeyes recognized by the National Wrestling Coaches Association with NWCA All-Academic Team accolades. Since Ryan’s arrival there have been 48 Academic All-Big Ten and 96 Ohio State Scholar-Athlete selections.Ryan’s student athletes also are involved in various community service initiatives including the Second & Seven Foundation, which strives to “Tackle Illiteracy” in Central Ohio, and the annual Wrestle against Autism Tournament.Prior to coaching at Ohio State, Ryan was the head coach at Hofstra from 1995-2006. While with the Pride, Ryan earned Eastern Collegiate Wrestling Association and Colonial Athletic Association Coach of the Year honors seven times. He earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Iowa in 1993. He was a Big Ten champion and NCAA finalist for the Hawkeyes.Ryan and his staff recruited Claymont’s Cody Burcher, who is a current member of the Ohio State wrestling team and recently competed at the NCAA championships.The club’s membership drive also is underway. The membership cost is $10. Send 2017 membership dues to Phyllis Markworth at 1377 Third St. SE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663. The Factory Street Pub & Grill is located at 205 N. Tuscarawas Ave. in Dover. For further information call Martha Campbell at 330-340-0390 or email TuscarawasCoClub@osu.edu.