A strong work ethic and tenacious drive for success led Ryan Hoag down an uncommon path to becoming one of the greatest two-sport athletes at Gustavus Adolphus College. Hoag’s gift as a sprinter resulted in a decorated career on the track and on the football field.
Having only played one year of high school football, Hoag joined the Gustie football team in 1999 after transferring from Wake Forest. He earned All-Conference honors twice for the Gusties and is regarded as one of the best receivers in school history, ranking second in career touchdowns (29), third in career yards (2,232), and fourth in career receptions (144). His long reception of 97 yards is the third-longest catch in the Gustavus record book.
Hoag saw even more success on the track, which was a sport he had never competed in until attending Gustavus. He still holds school records in the outdoor 100-meter (10.51), outdoor 4x100 (41.23), and outdoor 4x200 (1:26.58). Hoag earned All-America honors in the outdoor 100-meter, outdoor 4x100, and indoor 55-meter, and was a six-time All-Conference performer. He was also named a USTFCCCA All-Academic honoree in 2003. After his junior year in 2002, Hoag received the Athletic Department’s highest honor, being named the Gustavus Male Athlete of the Year.
Prior to graduating in 2003 with a degree in elementary education, Hoag was the final pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, earning the title of “Mr. Irrelevant.” He spent nine years as a professional football player with five NFL teams. Hoag has since served in multiple roles, including a teaching artist at Upstream Arts, dean of students at Minneapolis Roosevelt High School, model and actor, boys head tennis coach at Minneapolis Washburn High School, and head tennis professional at Lafayette Country Club. Ryan currently lives in Minneapolis.
