“I just want to impact one person a day in a positive way, said Ryan Orr. “In the end, that’s really all that matters.”
Ryan Orr recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in exercise science and was a part of the Shippensburg University football team for three and a half years. This summer and fall, he is interning with the Clemson University football strength and conditioning program while beginning his master’s in athletic leadership.
Orr played multiple positions on the Shippensburg University Football team, starting as a quarterback, then long snapper and tight-end.This versatility and Orr’s previous athletic background as a football player in high school and at Ship gave him the confidence to take on new opportunities. “As a quarterback, you’re just trying to perform and get athletes the ball… but as a tight end, I had to protect my team in the backfield, Orr said. “It made me realize that no job is too small. IF you excel, people appreciate you.”
Orr’s passion for football and sports performance led him to join the exercise science program at Ship. He credits the program for its hands-on approach and Professor Nik Rosenberry for creating an inclusive learning environment. “It wasn’t about getting an A or B, we weren’t really sitting in class going over lecture slides. It was mostly hands-on learning. Professor Rosenberry would often have us present in front of the class, but he never made it nerve-wracking; it was okay to mess up. I think that it’s important to learn in this way, especially in our field.”
Now as Orr interns with the Clemson Football strength and conditioning team, he is carrying the values that he gained at Ship with him. Within his role, he will be responsible for recording weights, checking on the form and technique of athletes and learn from mentors – putting in the work to learn as much as he can and climb the ladder.
“I do want to say thank you to my dad… he’s a big reason that this happened,” Orr said. Earning this opportunity at Clemson is in part thanks to his father, Bill Orr, who wrestled for Clemson and graduated in 1989. Orr shared that the head strength and conditioning coach for Clemson football was once his father’s strength and conditioning coach when he wrestled there.
Orr is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with the highest level of college athletes. “I’m very excited to start. I know Clemson’s football program is very family-oriented, and I am looking forward to being a part of that family.”
Even as Orr leaves Ship, he still pays homage to the university and the football team for helping shape who he is today. “I think Ship football taught me about toughness,” he said. “It made me learn a lot about who I am and how I can persevere through difficult situations. I gained the mental toughness that I didn’t know I could have… that’s going to propel me in different ways throughout my life.”
Orr also expressed his gratitude to Ship’s Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Dennis Kerstetter (Coach K), and Head Football Coach Mark Maciejewski (Coach Mac). “I interned with Coach K this past semester, and Coach Mac. I really appreciate everything they did for me and for making my experience at Ship so great.”
As Orr begins his next chapter at Clemson, he continues to carry the lessons he learned at Ship with him and continues to express his appreciation to the university’s academics and athletic programming.
