From a Fighting Knight to a Baylor Bear 

Ryan Peterson’s immediate impact for Baylor Men’s Basketball 

By: Bryan Ryder 

Staff Writer 

Bryder@email.lynn.edu 

Lynn graduate Ryan Peterson brings a youthful tenacity as he helps Baylor Men’s Basketball on their quest to defend its national title. 

Ryan Peterson, a 2019 graduate, is no stranger to working hard. As a member of the 2019 team that made waves in the NCAA D2 March Madness tournament, he has worked tirelessly to earn all the accolades he has. Now, Peterson is leaning on his experience as a Fighting Knight to help the defending national champions at Baylor University.  

While Peterson admits he didn’t think he would be in the position he is in now, he’s making sure he seizes this opportunity. 

“I had been working a job in sales after graduating from Lynn, had been working for a little bit and then the pandemic hit and I got laid off,” said Peterson. “I was really unsure what to do, what the next step would be, but all I knew was I missed basketball.” 

After evaluating his options, Peterson reached out to his former high school coach and was given an opportunity to coach at his alma mater, St. Thomas Moore School. Then, everything changed when he got a call from his former coach at Lynn, Jeff Price, who gave Peterson an opportunity he could not refuse. 

“Coach Price gave me a call and he said, ‘hey if you’re interested, you may have an opportunity to be a graduate assistant at Baylor,’” said Peterson. “A couple of phone calls, one thing led to another, and I ended up moving down here to Waco and I have loved every moment.” 

As a graduate assistant, Peterson has been working with players and coaching staff the entire 2021-22 season, helping with individual workouts and preparing scouting reports for the team’s upcoming games.  

On top of his busy schedule helping the team, Peterson also teaches classes to fulfill his scholarship and degree requirements. Pursuing a master’s degree in sports pedagogy, Peterson is hoping to leverage his experience further down the road in the basketball world. 

“It’s hard to say in the future exactly where I will be, but I’m working really hard to stay focused on being present and working for more opportunities that will come in the future,” he said. 

As Peterson and the Baylor Bears prepare to defend their national title in March, he is excited to see the hard work behind the scenes pay off in a big way. 

“Obviously you prepare all year to be at your best in March, I have seen this group progress and get better day after day,” said Peterson. “They’ve made the sacrifices, have been selfless, and done everything together. I’m proud to have been part of it and I’m ready to see what we can do together in March.” 

Ryan Peterson coaching at Baylor Men’s Basketball practice. Photo/Baylor Athletics. 
Peterson taking a shot during the 2018-19 season. Photo/Lynn Athletics.
Peterson helping players in shoot around. Photo/@elipittman.psd. 

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