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Ryan recalls experiences at Kentucky

August 23, 2008|Keith Taylor/Sun Sports Editor

Andy Ryan "sold a lot of cars" when he owned an automobile dealership in Winchester, but not much is known about his status as an athlete.

Now a stock broker, Ryan played football at the University of Kentucky from 1977-80 and played alongside past greats such as Art Still and others.

Ryan recalled his past experiences during a visit to the Winchester Rotary Club Friday. Ryan said his time at Kentucky paved his way to a successful career in the private sector.

"The University of Kentucky influenced me," Ryan said in his opening remarks. "I think about if I hadn't gone to the University of Kentucky how different my life would have been."

Although he was heavily recruited out of Murray High School, Ryan found out the road wasn't as easy on the college gridiron. Ryan won a state championship at Murray in 1974 at Roy Kidd Stadium.

"The biggest difference was ability," he said. "I didn't think there was anybody (on the team) I could hit."

Ryan played mostly on the special teams unit in his first two seasons before making his first appearance on defense against Mississippi State in 1979. He earned the respect of coach Fran Curci following a tackle on a goal-line stand, which earned him more playing time in the later stages of his career.

Ryan recalled visits to LSU, Alabama and Tennessee. After Paul "Bear" Bryant defeated Kentucky for his 300th win, Ryan was eager to shake his hand, but was stopped in his tracks by Curci. Ryan just wanted to seize the moment.

"You knew it was big when it was going on," he said. "It's a great thing. The whole experience was good for me. It helped me. I had a lot of fun and I was able to take advantage of my education."

Ryan said one visit to Commonwealth Stadium was all it took for him to decide on a college choice.

"We got to go out on the field with the team and go into the locker room," he said. "It was a done deal right then."

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