Ryan Calhoun: I don’t know what I would be doing if it wasn’t for basketball. Basketball has always been there during the good times and the bad. It’s like an escape from reality.
Joe Gaiter: How was your childhood?
Ryan Calhoun: My childhood was great, I grew up in a family of athletes, so playing sports were a part of life but my Grandmother always told me I would be the one to make it far, so she was harder on me at times. My Grandmother as well as my mother raised me to be a Champion.
Joe Gaiter: When did you fall in love with playing sports?
Ryan Calhoun:At the age of 2 but I fell in love with basketball at age 6.
Joe Gaiter: What was your untold story?
Ryan Calhoun: In my hometown of Thomasville Alabama many don’t make it out for the sport of basketball. My city always tends to get over- looked. I always felt that I had to be twice as good as the competition in order to make it out of Thomasville.
Joe Gaiter: What are some of your fondest memories playing at Southern Union?
Ryan Calhoun: Choosing SU was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life. First Team All-Conference as well as the 2nd leading scorer in the state/region. The family bond there is like no other. I also met 3 friends who turned into my brothers for life.
Joe Gaiter: What made you choose Miles College?
Ryan Calhoun:Miles was honestly my last option, because I was always told I was a D1 talent, and still till this day, I dominate d1 transfers that I face on the court but I was considering West Florida, or UWA instead, but I had a surgery that summer that made other coaches back off me in the recruiting process but Miles never left my side. So I will always play the game with heart for the Golden Bears.
Joe Gaiter: How does it feel to have won the SIAC 2020 Championship?
Ryan Calhoun:It feels great but honestly, I went down with an ankle injury during the tournament and I feel as though I was on the verge of having a big tournament performance, So although I have the ring, I know the fans in Rock Hill didn’t see the best of Ryan Calhoun, so its unfinished business, I have to get back there!!
Joe Gaiter: What would you say your impact has been on the team this year?
Ryan Calhoun:I said at the beginning of the season that I wanted to be a secret weapon towards the end of the season. I feel as though I accomplished that thanks to my teammates who believed in my game before anyone in the league knew who I was. I went from being unknown in the league, to every team in the SIAC having a scouting report on me. Although as teams made it harder for me, that boosted my confidence and my game is all about confidence and getting in rhythm!
Joe Gaiter: Explain the athletic culture at Miles College?
Ryan Calhoun: Both football and basketball teams have dominated the conference for multiple years. Every team at Miles works very hard, people see us winning but they do not see the countless hours of work we put in.
Joe Gaiter: What is your goal for next year’s season?
Ryan Calhoun:My Goal for next season is to definitely turn my level of play up. I will be a bit more aggressive next year and find more ways to get good shots off. If I do those things as well as continue to be a great teammate, I know the season will go just fine.
Joe Gaiter: What is your major and what do you plan to do with it?
Ryan Calhoun: I am a Business Major and I’m going to use that to start a trucking business one day.
Joe Gaiter: How is life for you off the court?
Ryan Calhoun:Off the court I’m always trying to find ways to uplift others even when I’m not feeling well. I’m very family oriented, so when I’m off the court that is who I’m usually around.
Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?
Ryan Calhoun: I want to be remembered as Authentic. Someone who overcame every obstacle. Passionate and Relentless
Joe Gaiter: What is your motivation?
Ryan Calhoun:My Grandmother who died 1/23/2019. Everything I am accomplishing today, she already said I would years ago.
Joe Gaiter: FInal Words?
Ryan Calhoun:Without God I wouldn’t be where I am today and I also want to say that hard work pays off and you’ll never be the Best, If you already don’t believe you are!!
Joe Gaiter: Shoutouts?
Ryan Calhoun:Shoutout to my Parents and the City of Thomasville Alabama. We are on the map!! Another shoutout to my Grandmother, I miss you and it ain’t the same without you here but without you I wouldn’t be here, So Thank you
Twitter: @calhounryan_
Instagram @calhounryan_
Facebook: Ryan Calhoun
Ryan Calhoun, Miles College, Interview with Joe Gaiter was last modified: March 17th, 2020 by Joseph Gaiter
