On Monday, April 29, 2013, Hatboro-Horsham senior Connor Ryan was recognized for signing a letter of intent to play soccer at Drexel University. Ryan played for the Philadelphia Union Academy and was a member of the Philadelphia Union Generation Adidas team.
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Connor Ryan – Drexel University (Soccer)
Major: Engineering
Final list of colleges: Drexel, Colgate, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, MIT
Reasons for choosing Drexel: “I chose Drexel because I really love the coaches and the area. Their soccer program has really come along the past couple of years. The new coach has been there for three years, and it really fits the way I play. Also, the academics are very high, and that’s one of the main reasons I was looking at these prestigious schools. Drexel is the perfect fit between academics and a good soccer program.”
What was the progression that led you to playing collegiate soccer? “I started getting a couple e-mails here and there the middle of my sophomore year, and it started to really become a reality more towards the winter and spring of my junior year. The problem was I got injured my junior year, so the coaches weren’t really able to see me, and that’s the reason it took me so long to commit to Drexel. A lot of them were able to see me play in the fall, and it was kind of crazy when I narrowed down the schools (until I made my decision).”
Hatboro-Horsham coach Kyle McGrath says: “I have known Connor since he was a youth player, and he was always a hard working kid at practice. He set a good example for other kids. His motor on the field – he had a high work rate during games as well. Obviously, his technical ability with the ball – he’s probably one of the best players we have seen here in a while. Those two things combined led him on a path where he was able to do some really good things.
“He’s top five in his class, so not only does he focus on the soccer field, but he also makes sure he takes care of his grades in the classroom as well.”
Hatboro-Horsham assistant coach Josh Wilkocz says: “The best way I would describe Connor is he’s hard working. He’s not the tallest guy, but he’s great on the ball, and he does all the little things right that make him such a great player. As hard as he works on the soccer field and in training, he works twice as hard in the classroom, and that’s a huge thing. He’s the definition of a scholar-athlete.”
Drexel coach Doug Hess: “With Connor, it was a process. In the recruiting game, there are different timelines. Some guys know right away, and some take a little bit of time, but it was a pleasure recruiting him, and it’s going to be a pleasure coaching him. We look for three things – we look for students, and he’s a fantastic student. We look for the person, and he’s a guy of character. We also look for the players well, and we think Connor’s best days are still ahead of him as well.”
About Connor:
Favorite food: My mom’s chicken parmesan
Favorite movie: Animal House
Favorite music: Bruce Springsteen – “I’ve been to, I want to say, 23 concerts.”
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