East Grand Rapids — Education and athletics go hand in hand for Ryan Oshnock, the new athletic director of East Grand Rapids Public Schools.
The way he sees it, the court, the field, the diamond, the track — like the classroom, they’re all spaces for growth, development, skill-building and memory-making.
“My philosophy on athletics is that it’s just an extension of the classroom, and I think it’s an opportunity for students to better themselves through extracurricular activities,” the seasoned coach and educator said. “Some of our best memories come on the athletic playing field. … We’re just trying to build lifelong skills for students.”
‘That’s what drove me toward administration — the opportunity to help serve others and to help them be the very best (version) of themselves that they can be.’
— Athletic Director Ryan Oshnock
Learn more about what brought Oshnock to East and what his plans are for the year ahead:
Other positions you have held in education: Oshnock comes to EGRPS from Northview Public Schools, where he served as the district’s coordinator of student engagement and recovery and high school varsity football coach. Prior to that, he was the assistant principal and football coach at West Ottawa High School.
He has held teaching and coaching positions at Forest Hills Northern High School; James F. Byrnes High School in Duncan, South Carolina; and at Loyola Blakefield High School in Towson, Maryland. He started his teaching career in Benton Harbor.
Oshnock spent years coaching football at the collegiate level, working at Eastern Michigan University, Ferris State University, the University of Cincinnati and Central Michigan University.
What about jobs outside education? Oshnock hosts a podcast, “Local Legends,” which discusses high-school football in West Michigan.
Education/degrees:
- Bachelor of science in social studies education, Wayne State University
- Master’s in educational leadership, University of Cincinnati
What drew you to the district? “It was a lifelong goal of mine to work at such a prestigious place like East Grand Rapids,” Oshnock said, noting that he’s held the district in high regard since childhood.
“My dad was in education. He was a football coach as well, and also an athletic director, so we knew of all the schools … in the state of Michigan. East Grand Rapids always stuck with me, dating back to the times of (famed Pioneers coach) George Barcheski.
“It has one of the strongest alumni networks of any public school that I’ve ever seen in my entire life. So just being able to live in a town like this and work in a place like this, it’s been a goal of mine and it’s been special so far.”
Why did you want to become an administrator? “Being in a classroom, obviously, you only get a finite amount of opportunities to collaborate with others. But being in administration, you get ample opportunities to collaborate with fellow staff members and administrators. To me, that’s what drove me toward administration — the opportunity to help serve others and to help them be the very best (version) of themselves that they can be.”
What would you like to share about your family? Oshnock’s wife, Ana, is a teacher at Forest Hills Public Schools. They live in East with their two children, Gabriela, 9, and Philip, 6.
Describe your leadership style in seven words or less: “Positive, caring individual who supports others.”
What are your goals for year one? Whether it’s with student-athletes, coaches, teachers, administrators, parents or community members, Oshnock said, “My goal this year is just to be an outstanding communicator and make sure everybody knows that I care about them, and that I’m here to serve them.”
What teams do you root for? “Big Detroit Lions fan, big Notre Dame football fan and a big St. John’s basketball fan.”
What is one thing on your bucket list? “To play golf at St. Andrews in Scotland. Huge bucket list item. Maybe I can do that someday.”
Anything else? “I’m humbled and honored to be able to serve in this position. … There’s been an unbelievably long line of outstanding athletic directors, and I hope I can carry that torch and continue to move East Grand Rapids in a positive direction.”
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• Empowering students to get interested in STEAM
