Matt Ryan

Induction Year: 2018

Category: Handball

Location: Miller Place

Simply put, Matt Ryan, a Miller Place native, is one of the greatest handball players in American history.

The 1996 U.S. Olympic captain was a three-time U.S. Handball Player of the Year, and his 225 official international matches are an American record.

He also competed in more than 500 friendly matches. Ryan also played professional handball overseas and starred in multiple world championship tournaments. His athletic prowess began on the basketball court, however. In 1984 as a senior, Ryan was the New York Basketball Player of the Year.

As a junior, he was second team All-Long Island in basketball and won a gold medal at the Empire State Games with the Long Island squad.

In 2013, he was inducted to the Miller Place Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2004, he was honored with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America National Service to Youth Award.