Bethlehem's RJ Ryan Inducted into BC High's Hall of Fame

RJ Ryan of Bethlehem has been inducted into Boston College High School's Hall of Fame. The school honored RJ and four other athletes at a dinner at the Hunter-Fahey Commons on November 26, 2013.

RJ '95 was chosen for his outstanding baskeball and football careers, Matt Greene '04 for hockey, Charles Barnes '95 for swimming, Tim Bulman '01 for football, Mark Dennehy '86 for hockey and the 2001 Baseball team (state champs).

Matt Curran, BC High Alumni Director, introduced RJ as “BC High's Gronk”. Sean Cooney, RJ's football teammate, followed: “We had a play that was a Reverse Half-Back Pass. I was the half-back and RJ was the tight end. I would get the ball and not even look to see if he was open...just throw it as far as I could...in his general direction. We ran the play maybe 8 times and I think he caught it 7. Just throw it near him and he caught it.

“That has always been my experience with RJ. He makes his teammates better. He has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He has a competitive spirit that is contagious and when all else fails, just throw it close and he'll get it. RJ was a great player and an even better friend. I couldn't think of anyone more deserving of this honor.”

“It was a great experience playing alongside RJ for four years on the basketball court,” said Paul Donato. “ He brought a level of intensity that was unmatched to every practice and game - especially in the locker room at halftime… He was a great mentor to the younger guys on the team - taking the time to make each of them a better basketball player.   His athleticism was always on display but was never more evident than when we'd run a play to get him an alley-oop dunk. It always fired up the team and the McNeice crowd and certainly deflated the other team. I knew that I just needed to get the ball near the rim and big guy would go get it as he always did. He was everything you wanted in a teammate - dedicated, hard working and we always knew that he had our backs.  However, he was more than just a great teammate - he was a great friend.  The players at Lehigh are lucky to have a Leader like RJ RYAN.  I am thrilled that he is being honored for his achievements tonight.”

Boston College High School is a Jesuit, Catholic, college-preparatory school for young men founded in 1863.  The school enrolls approximately 1600 students from more than 100 communities in eastern Massachusetts. For more http://www.bchigh.edu