COLUMBUS, Ohio — For the wrestling coach at Ohio State it’s more than just a love for the sport, but also about giving back to his community.
He's making sure the two organizations he’s passionate about are getting the funds and recognition they need.
What You Need To Know
- Tom Ryan has been the head coach for the Ohio State Wrestling team for 18 years
- Ohio State is one of a handful of colleges that has an RTC program which trains Olympic hopefuls alongside collegiate athletes
- Ryan is also passionate about early detection of cardiac conditions after he lost his five-year-old son, Teague, to a heart attack in 2004
- The Heart of a Champion event in August will benefit both RTC and the MCORE Foundation, which does early testing for signs of health conditions
Wrestling at Ohio State is no joke. That’s thanks to Tom Ryan, the head coach of 18 years for the Buckeyes.
“Oh I love it, coming to work with a smile," Ryan said.
The passion for the sport has kept him around these young guys. But it’s also the hope of taking them to the next level.
“These two guys are Olympic hopefuls," he said.
Ohio State is one of a handful of colleges across the country that has an RTC program which trains Olympic hopefuls alongside collegiate athletes
“So the student-athletes that we recruit at Ohio State have the Olympic dream as well," Ryan said. "Those are the type of guys you want. They’re in it for the long haul.”
For two redshirt freshmen, they’re also a part of the RTC program, and say having the best in the world to compete against every day is a huge advantage.
“He’s one of the best in the world and to be able to be able to wrestle with him every day and kind of test to see where I’m at is pretty big here," Luke Geog, a redshirt freshman and RTC member said of his competition within the programs. "After college, if I decide to do some Olympic aspirations, it’s special to have something here already.”
Ryan agrees.
“It’s a tremendous advantage in regards to improving and growth and being challenged," Ryan said.
Wrestling at OSU has grown tremendously under Ryan’s helm, including the addition of the Jennings wrestling center on campus in 2019.
“You look to the west, you’ve got the arena and you look to the east, you got the wrestling room," Ryan said.
Ryan holds on to a part of his heart he lost nearly 20 years ago.
“Teague was five, so we lost a five-year-old son in 2004," Ryan shared.
Ryan lost his son, Teague, to a heart attack caused by an undetected gene variant that caused cardiac arrhythmia. Since then, Ryan and his wife moved to Columbus and decided they wanted to get involved with an organization that could help kids like Teague.
Which is where the MCORE Foundation comes in. The nonprofit screens young athletes for signs of cardiac issues that could lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
“The organization may not have necessarily saved Teague because of his age, but we do know families that they’ve found heart conditions and their child has gotten the career that they needed," he said.
Now, Ryan is using his two passions to raise awareness at the fifth annual Heart of a Champion event which raises funds for both RTC and the MCORE Foundation, something he says has been life-changing for not only him but all the young lives impacted by these organizations.
“It’s just awesome to be around people that," he said. "They know it’s a great night out, but ultimately they know they’re making a difference in a lot of young people’s lives.”
The Heart of a Champion event is on Aug. 31 at the Columbus Convention Center with the goal to raise $100,00 for the two organizations.