Alfred University Athletics

It never has been generally reported, but Jimmy Ryan turned down a Division I football scholarship at Clemson and enrolled at AU.
"My dad became ill the summer I graduated from high school," Ryan said. "I didn't want to go that far away from home (Clemson) and ended up at Alfred. I loved Alfred."
Ryan was All-Everything at Allegany High School. He made Big-30 All-Stars three years in a row.
In the 1954-57 period, Ryan started every game for four seasons and played offense and defense. He was teh AU leader in touchdowns and yards rushing when the Saxons enjoyed back-to-back undefeated-untied seasons in 1955-56.
Ryan scored 70 points in one season and this was the AU record until 1988. Ryan gained All-America honors and was selected on the UPI All-Region First Team. Ryan also was a member of the indoor and outdoor track & field teams.
Operates Ryan Contracting Service. Motto: "Build Something Up. Tear Something Down."
The Ryans (wife Phyllis) have seven children: Deborah, Linda, Mary, Cynthia, Sean, Raymand and James Jr.