OUR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK COMMUNITY PARTNER
Each week, Monitor staff selects and interviews a local Athlete of the Week. Learn more about their accomplishments, their goals and what makes them unique. We’d like to thank our sponsor Capital City Kia.
Our partners do not participate in the selection of these athletes. That is fully at the discretion of our journalists.
Bishop Brady senior Ryan Casey has accomplished many things in the past four years. He reached 1,000 career points in basketball, served as class president and participated in a U.S. Senate Youth Program.
He led Division II in scoring this year, averaging 22 points and 12 rebounds a game while balancing his academic commitments.
Basketball commitments didn’t seem to faze him in his pursuit of straight A’s, though, as he was selected for several national academic and leadership awards, the Senate Youth Program (two students from every state), Boys Nation (two boys selected from every state), and the Coolidge Senators Program for the top 100 students in America.
He’s headed to Harvard in the fall, but before he goes, he’ll be joining an ascending Bishop Brady boys’ tennis team in hopes of winning a state championship alongside his friends.
The Monitor asked Casey about basketball, tennis, his time at Bishop Brady and what he hopes awaits him post-graduation.
Q: What is your favorite basketball memory?
A: It is too hard to pick one, but my top three are probably winning my first high school
game at Lebanon, scoring my 1,000th point, and playing in the Senior All-Star game.
Q: What did it feel like to reach the 1,000 point mark this season and see your name go up amongst Bishop Brady’s greatest players?
A: It has been a goal of mine, since I learned about the coveted milestone, to reach that
mark myself. My dad and uncle were both 1,000-point scorers at Oyster River, and I
think I put some pressure on myself to live up to their example.
On the actual night, it was our Senior Night and I needed 23 points to get to 1,000. It was a packed house, and I wanted to get it during my last home game. I scored 18 in the first half, but could not make a shot in the second half. Then with time expiring, I scored the final two points. When I saw the final bucket go in, it was a huge relief, and it validated all the work I had put in.
Q: Why did you decide to play tennis this spring?
A: The past three seasons I ran track and enjoyed every minute of it, but many of my
friends play tennis and I wanted to join them for my senior spring. Last year, they made it to the state championship, and I am hopeful that we can make a deep playoff run
again. I also think that tennis is a good life skill and I can continue playing in the future.
Q: What do you expect out of the tennis season?
A: As I mentioned, I hope our team can continue the success from last year. I’m entering
into the season with an open mind and want to continue to develop as a player to help
my team in whatever role they need.
Q: Who has helped you most throughout your journey?
A: There are too many people to name them all, but I first would like to thank Bishop
Brady. Brady has provided me a place where I can grow academically and athletically. I
have had the opportunity to try new things like tennis and have had incredible support
along the way from all my teachers and coaches. My parents and grandparents have
also been an integral part of my growth as they are at every game and event and have guided me as a person. Finally, my friends have helped push me along the way and encouraged me to try new things.
Q: How do you balance school, sports and other activities?
A: It has been a challenge at times to balance everything, but with hard work it is
absolutely possible. I genuinely enjoy almost everything I do from sports to learning,
and when you find joy, it becomes much easier to push onward.
Q: What do you feel like sports have given you as a person?
A: Sports have shown me that hard work pays off. The work that you put in during the
offseason while no one is looking doesn’t go unnoticed. I have learned to work with
others, to lead by example, and to be gracious in defeat.
Q: What’s a big challenge, physical, mental or personal, that you struggled with and how have you overcome it?
A: I tore my ACL at the end of eighth grade, which forced me to miss my freshman soccer
and basketball seasons. It was difficult being sidelined from sports, but I rehabbed and
was able to come back stronger than ever. It also taught me to be grateful for my health
and every time I step on a basketball court or soccer field, I cherish the moment.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give to young athletes?
A: I would tell young athletes to stop fearing mistakes. It is hard to improve without making mistakes along the way, so embrace them.
Q: You’re a senior, you’re going to Harvard, what do you envision for your future?
A: I feel blessed to have the chance to go to Harvard and am indebted to my teachers and
classmates at Bishop Brady. I plan on double-majoring in applied math and government,
and one day I’d like to start my own company.
Q: How has your faith guided you and helped you?
A: My Christian faith has been a source of strength during difficult times like when I tore my ACL. It guides my decision-making and sets my moral compass. I always find solace in the fact that God has a plan and things will work out for the best.
Q: What was your experience at the U.S. Senate Youth Program and what did you
learn from it?
A: It was the single most powerful experience I have ever had! It was undoubtedly the best
week of my life. I made lifelong friends and it motivated me to make a difference in
society and my community. I met Supreme Court Justices, many US Senators, Cabinet
Secretaries, military leaders and many more. I am so thankful to Bishop Brady for
nominating me for the opportunity.