Ryan was born and raised in Eau Claire. He grew up in Eau Claire playing baseball at the Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion Levels. He is a graduate of Eau Claire North High School and played baseball all four years and attended the University of Dubuque where he played baseball for one year. He was a baseball coach for thirteen years at Eau Claire Memorial High School. He has been with the Eau Claire Cavaliers for the past 11 seasons as a player/coach.