| Monroe Township Recreation Center |
On March 9, 1997, the Monroe Township Recreation Center paid tribute to Danny and his family by hanging his portrait. The portrait was donated by the Recreation Advisory Board and created by artist Stan Kotzen. The poem below was written by friend and President of the foundation Christopher Blotto and is also hanging in the recreation center with the portrait.
Daniel Patrick Ryan
"Danny"
As an athlete, you showed the desire to win...
As a teammate, you showed your ability to help others...
As a captain, you showed your leadership skills...
As a friend, you were always there...
As a brother, you were a teacher...
And as a son, you were everything!
During your time with us, we were so blessed to be touched by you. In everything that you did, there was something to be learned. Three are so many unfortunate people that never had the opportunity to meet you. Now it is up to us to pass on all that we gained from knowing you. Thank you for making us the people that we are today....We'll make you proud!
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| Daniel P. Ryan Memorial Field |
On August 28, 1997, the Monroe Township Recreation Department renamed the Monroe Pop Warner Football Field, the "Daniel P. Ryan Memorial Field." At the dedication, the program also retired his jersey, number 71.
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| Rowan University Victory Board |
Danny played college football at Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) for four years and was a two year captain from 1990-1991. In his honor, the Brown & Gold Gridiron Club created a billboard announcing all the programs accolades, and named it the "Daniel P. Ryan Victory Board." The Victory Board sits atop the Rowan University Football Teamhouse, where all players and coaches, past and present, To this day, Danny's #72 jersey, has never been worn by another player on the Rowan Profs Football Team.
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| Poem by Christopher Blotto |
Danny
Everyone is put on this planet for a reason.
The reason that you were put on this Earth
was to touch the hearts and souls of as
many people as you could possibly can,
within a lifetime that was way too short.
Everyone dies for a reason.
No one knows why someone dies, the people
that are left, can only assume. The reason
that the most wonderful people in this
world pass on, is because someone else
needs them more than we do.
You, Dan Ryan, were a born leader. You were
born to help others. You were born to make
people laugh. You were born to make people
smile. You were born to take charge of ugly
situations and make them bright. You were
born to be the big brother that we all needed.
You were born to make this world a better place.
And you did!
Now, for some reason that we will never fully
understand, your work down here is complete.
You can look down upon us and pat yourself on the back
for a job well done.
You maybe gone...But definitely not forgotten. 12/21/95
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