Jack Ryan

Position:
Defenseman
Height:
6-4
Weight:
230
Class:
Senior
Hometown:
Darien, CT
High School:
Darien

Coach Joe Breschi on Jack Ryan
•A solid all-around defender
•Doesn't get beat by his man
•Quarterbacks the defense
•Plays a physical style

General: One of the captains of the 2009 Tar Heels...three-time letterman...the only returning starter in the close defense...two-year starter there who converted to the position from the midfield where he played his freshman campaign...has started 30 successive games on close defense...physical player who is hard to beat one-on-one...looked at to quarterback the defensive unit as a senior.

2008 Season (Junior): Started all 14 games for the Tar Heels at close defense...had 23 ground balls and five caused turnovers...had a career-high five ground balls to go along with a season-high two caused turnovers against Navy...had at least one ground ball in all but two matches.

2007 Season (Sophomore): Was one of the team's most pleasant surprises in 2007...started all 16 games at close defense and was a solid defender while picking up only three penalties...shared the Kevin Reichardt Memorial Award as the team's Most Improved Player...had 16 ground balls and four caused turnovers...had a season-high four ground balls versus Denver.

2006 Season: Saw action in two games as a freshman...played against Pennsylvania and Fairfield.

Prep: A 2005 graduate of Darien High School...a tremendous all-around athlete in lacrosse, football and basketball...four-year letterman in lacrosse, starting in the midfield his last three years...named to Connecticut Super Junior Select team...second-team All-Conference as a junior...first-team All-Conference and All-State as a senior...played on teams which won conference championships his freshmen, junior and senior years...as a senior his team won the state championship and went 23-0...lettered three years in football as a tight end, linebacker and on special teams...led the team in tackles his senior year...second-team All-Conference as a junior and senior and honorable mention choice as a sophomore...senior captain...Most Valuable Player of traditional Darien-New Canaan Thanksgiving game...four-year letter winner in basketball...started three years as a forward...team captain as a junior and senior.

Personal: John Thomas Ryan is the son of John and Cindy Ryan...was born December 30, 1986 in Norwalk, Conn. ...has a sister, Anne, 20, and a brother, David, 23, captain of the 2007 UNC lacrosse team.

Facts On Jack
Academic Major at Carolina: Economics
Career Plans: Traveling
Hobbies: Mastering artistic mediums, napping, watching the Discovery, National Geographic and History channels, playing pick up basketball
Athlete I Most Admire: Brett Favre when he played for Green Bay
Biggest Sports Thrill: Getting into North Carolina and playing college lacrosse
Person Who Has Had The Greatest Influence On Your Athletic Career: My father, John Ryan
Favorite Book: The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie
Favorite Magazine: National Geographic
Favorite Food: Chocolate Milk
Favorite Movies: Lord of the Rings trilogy
Favorite TV Show: South Park
Favorite Website To Visit: You've Got Mail