2020 Senior Spotlight: Ryan Bird, Co-Captain

 Coach Bailey:  2020 Ryan Bird #9 Attack, Captain Varsity career: When Ryan is on the field, we are always just better! Just a fighter, and has grown to become a physical, offensive presence, and has grown in his game becoming an outstanding riding attackman!  For more on Ryan being named 2020 co-captain and his college selection, go here:  http://steds.lacrosseshift.com/news/2020-ryan-bird-senior-co-captain-lees-mcrae-commit

Coach Keating:  it seems like every season started off with you struggling with an injury, but when the big games occurred, you were ready.

 Coach O’Brien:  Always quiet spoken but made his statement on the field.  Always rode hard and a great quick release on his shot.

Coach Wolcott:  I will never forget that one day in practice this year when Ryan makes a cut and his knee goes out from under him. Once he knew what was wrong and he didn’t need surgery his drive and love for the game to come back and was a real role model for all of the other players. That was shown to me when he did come back and was at first a little winded he never wanted to be take a break and come off the field.

Mom & Dad Bird:  Ryan started playing lacrosse when he was five years old. We have thoroughly enjoyed watching Ryan play lacrosse while developing life long friendships along the way. We as parents have also developed meaningful friendships with other parents from several of his teams. Ryan’s involvement in travel lacrosse has allowed us to spend several weekends together as a family and has allowed us to support our kids while spending time with other great families.

Rip Pratt has been an incredible mentor and was Ryan’s first youth coach. Rip made lacrosse fun and was always complimentary and positive which really developed Ryan’s love of the game.

We are so grateful that Saint Edward’s had a lacrosse program with coaches like Andy Scheffer and Doug Bailey where we knew Ryan would develop the skills he needed to get to the higher level as well as having coaches we could completely trust to teach and mentor Ryan. The academics Ryan has received at SES are parallel to none and we will always be grateful for everything SES has done for Ryan and our family. We will always hold SES close to our hearts and bleed Pirate Blue!

Ryan’s words:

My favorite moment as a SES lacrosse player:

The pregame rituals we all have in the locker room. Everyone does something different to get them ready for the game. We also bond together and become better teammates

One thing I am very proud of that I brought to this team:

Being the leading goal scorer last year (2019) and helping this team to win three district championships.

A lacrosse moment I will never forget:

My freshman year when I had to step in to play in that distinct championship game against Martin County. I remember the team coming back in the fourth quarter and beating them in the final minutes of the game.

Post- Graduation: 

I will be attending Lees-McRae College

Gratitude: 

First, I would like to thank my parents for everything they have done for me throughout my whole lacrosse career. They bought every piece of equipment I used and drove me to every lacrosse tournament I was playing in. Without them I wouldn't be the player I am today. They pushed me to be the best I can be.

I would also like to thank all my coaches as well. Without all of you my dream of playing college lacrosse wouldn't be possible. You all taught me how to be the player I am today, and taught me certain lessons in lacrosse I will never forget.