Education
In 1977, Ryan had recently completed graduate school in Virginia when she was asked to become the head coach of the women"s basketball program
In 1977, Ryan had recently completed graduate school in Virginia when she was asked to become the head coach of the women"s basketball program
Ryan also coached the American women"s basketball team at the 2003 Pan American Games. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2000 but is currently in remission. She was inducted into the Women"s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
Ryan was also inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
She accepted, to become only the third head coach in the program"s history. Ryan resigned after 34 years of head coaching duties at UVA at the completion the women"s 2010-2011 basketball season.
After her resignation, Ryan was a volunteer assistant coach of Seattle Storm for the 2011 Women's National Basketball Association season, reuniting with her former player Jenny Boucek, who is an assistant coach there. In 2014 Ryan was honored as one of the Library of Virginia"s "Virginia Women in History" for her contributions to women"s basketball and her actions as a cancer treatment advocate.
Ryan served as the head coach of the United States of America representative to the 1999 World University Games (also known as the Universiade).
The event was held in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The second game was against Canada, which the United States of America team lost in a close match 68–67. The United States of America then beat Brazil to advance to the semi-final, where they faced Lithuania.
The game was not close, with the United States of America winning 70–49.
That set up a rematch with China, on their home court with 18,000 spectators.