Mark Ryan Announces Retirement

(Photo courtesy of Kevin and Susan Ryan)

by E.J. Freeman | MCLA.us

KENNESAW, Georgia—  If you have been to a Kennesaw State lacrosse game over the last decade and a half,  you have no doubt seen longtime manager Mark Ryan on the sideline working with the team.  Mark, who was born with Down syndrome, has worked with the program since the fall of 2012.  It all started when Alex Gavilla, who had gotten to know Mark during their time at Harrison High School, was at Kennesaw State and asked Mark to come out and serve as manager.  After an initial conversation, there was an extended period of silence and then one day Mark got a phone call about coming to practice the next day.   Mark’s parents, Kevin and Susan, remember Mark bounding up the stairs from the basement and excitedly telling them that Kennesaw State was starting practice and they had asked him to work as the manager. When he asked if he could go, they said yes without hesitation. Since then Mark has been omnipresent in the Kennesaw State program. 

Mark has announced that the 2027 season will be his last season with the Owls after 14 years.  Mark has worked with the program through three SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference championships and several trips to nationals.  The program has amassed over 120 wins during Mark’s career.  When asked why he was retiring, Mark said he just felt like it was time for him to choose his own path. 

Now, this is not Mark’s first attempt at retirement.  In the mid-2010’s Mark tried to retire and would watch Kennesaw State games with the alumni group on a hill overlooking the field, or at least he would start the game there.  Mark always managed to find his way down to the sideline again before eventually giving up retirement.  Mark learned just as many others have over the years, lacrosse in general and the MCLA in particular are tough habits to kick.  Mark is committed to making sure retirement sticks this time. 

Early in his career Mark was taking classes at Kennesaw State and would walk to practice regularly.  His mom, Susan, recalled one of the first weeks Mark called her and asked if he could get a ride home. However, his parents’ home was 40 minutes away from Kennesaw State, so that was not a realistic option and she told Mark he could walk to his apartment or get a ride.  Mark got a ride that evening, beginning what his parents believe has been one of the biggest benefits of his time with the Owls: growing independence. 

Mark has defined his own job description as a manager for the Owls.  He helps with whatever the team needs during practices and games as is expected of managers, but Mark also greets all the players as they arrive.  From an outside perspective, Mark seems to serve as much as a chief morale officer as a manager for the program. 

As a result of that independence and time spent with the team, Mark has maintained friendships with Kennesaw State alumni spanning his fourteen-year career.  The COVID seasons of 2020 and 2021 would have been an easy stopping point for Mark, as the 2022 team only had a handful of players remaining from the team prior to the stoppage.  Instead of moving on, Mark ingratiated himself with a whole new generation of Owls.  When asked how Mark has managed to be an integral part of the Kennesaw State program for so long, Kevin answered, “He is so much himself that he allows other people to be comfortable and be themselves.”  Mark was named a captain of the 2026 team, which goes to show how ingrained he is in the fabric of the Kennesaw State lacrosse program.

Mark said his favorite memory was winning back-to-back SELC Championships in 2022 and 2023, and he remembers his first season and 2026 as the toughest seasons on the field. Mark is hoping the Owls can bounce back in 2027 for his final season.  He would love to help the Owls capture one more SELC title and make another trip to nationals.  Mark is also looking forward to his final home game as he expects a large crowd of family and friends to be there to support him. 

For Susan and Kevin their fondest memories of Mark’s career involve spending time with him and watching him interact with the guys even across different generations, but they mentioned the 2023 SELC Championship as a favorite memory as well. 

The Kennesaw State program has become a huge part of the Ryan family. His parents help keep stats for the team, so this retirement will mark a big change for the whole group.  When asked what it has meant to them to watch Mark in his time with the Owls Kevin and Susan said, “We love that the kids are so supportive and protective of him.”

Managers and support staff often are affiliated with a single coach, and when that coach leaves, they leave or they leave in a relatively short period of time after the new coach comes aboard.  Mark is currently on his sixth head coach at Kennesaw State, which shows his remarkable staying power within the program.  When asked who has been most instrumental in his career at Kennesaw State Mark listed his parents, all six head coaches, and Owl alumni Tom Mudrak and Michael McCabe. 

As much as Mark has gained from working with the Owls, it has not been a one-way street.  Mark has given the program as much as, or more than, he has gotten back.  When asked about Mark’s impact to the program, Tyler Yelkin, the first head coach Mark worked with, said, “For nearly 15 years, Mark has been so much more than a manager for the KSU Men's Lacrosse program-he has been a teammate, a friend and an important part of our lacrosse family. His dedication, loyalty and love for the program never wavered and the impact he has made goes beyond the field.”

Ben Greenough, who was the head coach of the Owls from 2024 to 20226,  said, “To simply say Mark is the heart and soul of this team is an understatement of what he truly means to this program.  His level of enthusiasm on a day-to-day basis brings an energy that is contagious. He is also a mini historical encyclopedia, as he can recite the previous games against opponents such as the scores, the date, location, who scored, and even the weather conditions.”

“You cannot mention the history of Kennesaw State  Lacrosse without mentioning Mark Ryan.  Mark Ryan is Kennesaw State Lacrosse,” Greenough added.

Congratulations, Mark on your retirement and good luck in your final season.