Ryan Mossman ’16 chose Shenandoah University because it allowed him to pursue a Sports Management degree while also being a part of its nationally ranked baseball team. This allowed him to continue his baseball passion and gave him the opportunity to compete for a national championship with the Assistant Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach Kevin Anderson. 
“Shenandoah afforded me the opportunity to be a student-athlete and be mentored by not only a legendary coach, Kevin Anderson but also by fantastic professors such as Dr. Brian Wigley and Dr. Joey Gawrysiak,” said Mossman. “You cannot find a better place to be a student-athlete. Shenandoah was a place where I could pursue athletic and academic excellence as well as learn how to serve my community.”
Some of Mossman’s fondest memories at Shenandoah were the times he spent with his teammates whether it was in their dorms, traveling to away games or competing on the home field. His favorite memory was competing in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Championship where he drove the winning run and watched his teammate finish the victory. This was Shenandoah’s first-ever ODAC Championship win. He also enjoyed the opportunity of being the escort for an Apple Blossom Princess during one of the annual Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festivals, building relationships with the Resident Assistant staff in Racey Hall and speaking at the Hall of Fame with Dr. Gawrysiak and Dr. Wigley.
Mossman is a minor league pitching coach for the New York Yankees. In this role, he is responsible for helping players improve their pitching delivery, pitching arsenal and educates them on how to execute for success in the games.
Prior to working with the New York Yankees, he was a pitching coach for Emory University, the University of Mary Washington, The Johnson City Doughboys and Milligan University. The most rewarding experiences of Mossman’s career so far has been watching his college players excel in baseball, life and their careers after graduation.
“I have seen players go from not contributing to the team to becoming the star player,” said Mossman. “I have watched young men invest in their community and learn what it means to be a servant leader. I have watched our players find their wives and start their families and seen them enter into the careers they dream of.”
Shenandoah prepared Mossman for his career by giving him the opportunity to see firsthand how to develop a successful baseball program and the mentorship he received from his professors and coaches at the institution.
“To be able to watch collaboration, problem-solving, and relentless pursuit of excellence was inspiring and a skillset I knew would help me become successful,” said Mossman.“Without them [professors and coaches], I would not have been as prepared as I was to break into the sports industry.”
Mossman’s advice to current and future students is: “Find opportunities that allow you to cut your teeth in the industry you are passionate in. Be in a place that creates value by providing support and feedback while removing obstacles and facilitating your pursuit of your best self.”