Leon Ryan

Leon Ryan was inducted into the College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. He was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 2012.

A native of Newark, Delaware, Ryan earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from West Virginia University in 1978, where he competed as a member of the Mountaineer swimming and diving team. He began his professional career at Marshall University as an assistant swimming and diving coach while earning a master’s degree in sports administration.

Following his time in coaching, Ryan spent over two decades in the financial services sector, holding executive roles with Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley. From 1995 to 2006, he served as First Vice President and Senior Resident Director of Merrill Lynch. He later became Senior Vice President and District Sales Manager at Morgan Stanley, where he supervised managers and led joint venture partnerships across the Southern District.

In 2009, Ryan returned to college athletics as Associate Athletic Director for Development at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), overseeing major gifts and planned giving. He later served as General Manager for Blazer IMG Sports Marketing and held multiple leadership positions at UAB and Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment, guiding strategic sponsorship and development efforts. He also served as Director of the Lakeshore Foundation, a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic training site, and as a business consultant.