EAST STROUDSBURG – East Stroudsburg University mourns the loss of Ryan Smith, a member of the Warriors' men's basketball program who battled acute myeloid leukemia (AML) since August 2019.
Smith, a graduate of Lampeter-Strasburg High School, was the 2018-19 PSAC East Freshman of the Year and a second team All-PSAC East selection in his only season of collegiate competition. He was an honorary member of the 2019-20 All-PSAC East team.
Smith is survived by his father, Craig; mother, Kim; brother, Darren; and sister, Katelyn.
"Our program mourns the loss of Ryan alongside his parents, family and friends," said ESU head coach Jeff Wilson. "Ryan was a talented player and tireless worker, but beyond that, he was a tremendous teammate and an absolute joy to coach and to be around in the locker room, on the bus and in the office. Ryan made a tremendous impact on so many people through his RelentlesS attitude, work ethic, humility and will. This is a tremendous loss of a young man who had a bright future and accomplished so much in his life."
"The ESU athletic department is devastated by Ryan's passing," said Dr. Gary R. Gray, director of athletics. "He was beloved by the Warriors athletics family, first for his performances on the court and our interactions with him in Koehler Fieldhouse, and then during his battle with AML. We all mourn with Ryan's family and will do all we can to support his teammates and all of our student-athletes during this time."
Smith and his girlfriend, Molly Gorczyca, were featured by People Magazine in October for their relationship which began after meeting in October 2019 at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as both were battling AML.
Smith was an inspiration to his teammates, coaches and the surrounding community through his fight and determination. In turn, he was supported by his teammates and classmates, through a fundraiser by ESU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee of RelentlesS t-shirts (emphasizing ESU's men's basketball team motto and Ryan's initials), and by his fellow competitors in the PSAC as several programs donated ticket receipts and other funds to Ryan and his family.
"ESU greatly appreciates the thoughts, prayers and generosity of the campus and our entire PSAC family," said interim president Kenneth Long. "Ryan made a lasting impact during his short time with us. He will always be remembered as the epitome of an ESU Warrior."
Smith averaged 16.9 points and 8.0 rebounds in helping lead the Warriors to the PSAC semifinals and the NCAA Division II Tournament in 2018-19. He had one of the top freshmen seasons in program history, ranking second at ESU in points (473), points per game, rebounds (225), rebounds per game, field goals (177) and free throws (107) among Warriors freshmen. He scored 20 points in 10 games, had 10 double-doubles, scored a career-high 31 points vs. Kutztown on February 27, 2019 and had 30 points and 13 rebounds in a 106-99 (OT) loss vs. West Liberty in the NCAA DII Tournament first round in what was his final collegiate game.
At Lampeter-Strasburg, Smith was the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 2 MVP, reached the second round of the state playoffs, and was a two-time All-Conference selection.
A Celebration of Life for Ryan is scheduled for Saturday, June 19 at 2 p.m. The celebration will be held at the Millersville Community Church Hope Campus (242 Bender Road, Millersville PA, 17551).
