Danny was always involved in sports, especially football. At the age of eight, he was literally the first person to sign up for Monroe Township’s Pop Warner football team in 1977. He continued to play for the town, and later for the High School. Throughout his life, he was also involved with the Monroe Township Recreation Program, serving as an umpire and basketball referee. In March 1997, the Monroe Township Recreation Department knew he was the perfect role model for future young student athletes and honored his memory with a beautiful portrait by artist Stan Kotzen.
Also in August 1997, the Monroe Wolverines Football Program honored the Ryan family with a Pep Rally and Field Dedication. They retired his jersey, number 71, and renamed the field, the “Daniel P. Ryan Memorial Field”. Danny is considered by many to be one of Monroe’s favorite sons.
Danny attended Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) from the Fall of 1987 to the Spring of 1991. There he played center on the Profs football team, and was selected Captain for the ’90 and ’91 seasons. Danny’s Coach, former Philadelphia Eagle, John Bunting, after meeting him as a senior in high school said, “He will never play here, but we need him on our team,” and recruited him. Danny’s dedication and perseverance on and off the field coupled with his love for the game are reasons for his success at Glassboro. Danny was never the biggest, fastest or most athletic lineman on the team, however what he lacked in physical attributes he was able to make up for in mental capacities and determination.
At the age of 23, while working as road manager for the Amazing Kreskin, Danny was diagnosed with leukemia. He was treated for his illness at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ, where after months of radiation and chemotherapy treatments was placed in remission. At this time, the Monroe Township Recreation Dept. held a golf outing fundraiser for him to assist with the burdening medical bills. Danny, after receiving the donations, rather than paying medical bills, used the money to purchase toys for the children at the RWJH Child Life Center for Christmas. To this day, the foundation still continues to purchase toys for the children spending their holidays at the RWJH Child Life Center.
Each year the foundation raises money to financially support families who are in need of assistance. Over the years we have helped countless families pay medical bills, purchase food and assist them with their mortgage payments. Additionally, for thirteen years, the foundation has been awarding two, sometimes three Monroe Township High School Seniors with scholarships/awards to help further their college education.
Please know that the foundation is run solely on a volunteer basis, and all donations go directly to help families. With your help, we will continue to support children and adults battling various forms of cancer, and keep Danny’s memory alive.