Samantha “Sam” Ryan brings experience at the international and NCAA Division I levels, an accomplished collegiate pitching career and a lifelong passion for softball to her role as Head Softball Coach at Atlantic Collegiate Academy.
A native of New York, Ryan grew up in an athletic family that played an important role in shaping her softball career. The daughter of Patrick and Tammy Ryan, she credits her father—a member of the FDNY—as the most influential person in her athletic development because he continually challenged her to work harder and pursue her softball goals. Her mother worked at Iona College, and Ryan grew up alongside her sister, Danielle.
Ryan attended Monroe-Woodbury High School in New York, where she played softball, competed in travel ball and was a member of the National Honor Society. Her talent also provided an opportunity to represent Canada, as she played for the Canadian Junior National Team while still in high school.
Following graduation, Ryan began her collegiate career at Chattanooga State Community College in Tennessee. She quickly established herself as one of the nation's top junior college pitchers, earning Tennessee Community College Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year honors in both 2021 and 2022. Her sophomore season culminated with NJCAA First-Team All-America recognition in 2022. She earned an associate degree in Business Administration that same year.
Ryan continued her playing career at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, joining one of the country's established NCAA Division I softball programs. Her time with the Ragin’ Cajuns included the opportunity to compete at a high level and experience postseason softball, including helping host an NCAA Regional. Among her favorite memories, however, is a much simpler tradition—playing hacky sack with her teammates before games.
Ryan graduated from Louisiana in the spring of 2025 with a bachelor's degree in General Studies. She lists international business among her favorite college courses because it allowed her to explore perspectives from different countries.
Her playing career has extended well beyond college softball. Ryan reached one of the sport's highest levels by competing with the Canadian Senior National Team, an accomplishment she considers among the proudest of her career.
Coaching provided a natural next step for someone who has spent virtually her entire life around softball. Ryan gained high school coaching experience as an assistant varsity coach at Carolina Forest High School in 2023 before joining Atlantic Collegiate Academy.
At ACA, Ryan was attracted by the opportunity to work directly with young softball players and help them pursue their own goals. She describes her coaching style as straightforward and considers seeing student-athletes improve, succeed and accomplish something they have worked toward to be the most rewarding part of the profession.
Ryan's combination of international competition, Division I experience and individual success as a pitcher gives Armada student-athletes a coach who understands firsthand the commitment required to advance through multiple levels of the game. Just as her father pushed and encouraged her to chase ambitious goals in softball, Ryan hopes to provide that same combination of accountability and support for the players she coaches.
Away from the field, Ryan enjoys listening to 1990s grunge and rock music and spending time with her mixed-breed dog, Hazel. But softball remains a defining part of her life—and at Atlantic Collegiate Academy, she now has the opportunity to use the experiences and lessons from her own career to help build the next generation of Armada softball players.
