UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — From coast to coast and many places in between, one Penn State student has chased his career dream with passion and persistence from the moment he stepped on the University Park campus.
This week, Ryan Stevens’ pursuit has taken him to Mobile, Alabama, where he’s volunteering at the Senior Bowl, a season-ending showcase for college football players with NFL aspirations. Two Penn State standouts, defensive linemen Carl Nassib and Austin Johnson, earned spots in the game.
Stevens, also a senior, earned his weeklong opportunity, too. Like those on the field, he did so with persistence and talent.
A native of Bloomington, Illinois, with family members spread all across Pennsylvania, Stevens matriculated to Penn State in 2012 and immediately got involved. He joined ComRadio, the Internet-based radio station in the College of Communications, and consistently gained experience and responsibility. He covered the NFL Draft for ComRadio in 2015 and this year he is one of the station’s sports directors.
Stevens completed his on-campus work with internships at ESPN Radio 1450 in State College and with USA Track and Field in Indianapolis. He also served as a media relations volunteer for USA Basketball during the FIBA World Cup of Basketball and with NBA communications during the 2015 All-Star Weekend in New York City.
At the Senior Bowl, Stevens has several duties, including creating player journals of USC quarterback Cody Kessler and Oklahoma wide receiver Sterling Shepard, transcribing news conference quotes and supporting media members covering the practices and game. His work appears on the Senior Bowl website and helps media members do their jobs.
Stevens has also been posting on Twitter using the handle @NFLDraftShow as part of the buildup to ComMedia’s annual coverage of the NFL Draft. ComRadio is the only collegiate media entity to cover every round of the draft from start to finish.
“This is almost the culmination of everything I’ve been able to soak in at Penn State during my four years,” Stevens said. “I don’t have a lot of time left in State College as an undergraduate, and I hope I’ve been able to work as diligently as possible to shine the best possible light on myself, Penn State and the College of Communications wherever my work has taken me.”
On track to graduate in May, Stevens plans to work in some facet of a media relations department, particularly in basketball. He also hasn’t ruled out the possibility of furthering his education with a master’s degree in sports administration.
Stevens’ mother, Beth, was a Penn State alumnus. She died five years ago. His father, Scott, moved to Pennsylvania from Illinois two years ago and his older brother Matt still lives in Illinois.