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By Molly Malick (BA 25)

��After playing basketball in high school, Maddie Ryman knew she wanted to compete at the college level. The only question, then, was where?��

Ryman sought to answer that question, searching for a college where she could honor Christ through her passions of and business.��

Having grown up in the Warsaw area, Ryman had prior knowledge of ���Ĵ�ý. And after meeting with Head Women’s Basketball Coach , she realized it was a natural choice.

“���Ĵ�ý had the Christian atmosphere I wanted to be involved in,” said Ryman. “Dan Davis’ basketball culture is different from any other I’ve seen. He really fosters a community.”��

Davis’ authenticity made Ryman feel valued as a potential member of ���Ĵ�ý’s team and an integral part of its community, which pushed her to officially sign with ���Ĵ�ý.��

In 2019, Ryman enrolled at ���Ĵ�ý as a business education major. That same fall, she began playing basketball. After four years of studying business education, Ryman felt God was leading her to pursue a career in digital marketing instead. Ryman stayed a fifth year to play basketball and earn her MBA.��

Her basketball career included achieving the second most assists in a single season in the program’s history. She was also a vital player during the Lancers’ first-ever, scoring 20 points, she is also the all-time leading scorer with 2,306 points. Ryman also beat her mother out of the previous leading all time career assists record, among many other .��

Although Ryman’s basketball career is impressive, what impacted Ryman the most was the Christ-centered values of the team.

“We’re all sisters in Christ,” said Ryman. “At ���Ĵ�ý, nobody is trying to compete with one another or prove that they’re better than anyone. I’ve had great environments in every team I’ve played for, but with ���Ĵ�ý, it’s more genuine and real. You can just tell that Christ is the center of our team.”

Ryman’s teammates have supported her through the highs and lows, such as when her grandfather was diagnosed with dementia during her senior year and she began helping care for him.

“I felt so loved,” said Ryman. “They prayed for me and rallied around me. They showed me they would be there for me no matter what and that they loved me.”

Ryman is also grateful for the spiritual encouragement of Coach Davis, who led the team in weekly devotionals and hosted monthly team dinners, allowing the girls to form strong bonds with each other.��

Davis’ wife, Christi, often joined devotions and exemplified what it means to be a woman in Christ. “When Christi talks, everybody listens,” said Ryman. “I definitely look up to her.”��

Ryman graduated in 2024, but the faith-based support she received during her time spent with ���Ĵ�ý’s basketball team continues to encourage her. Although she has no plans to return to basketball anytime soon, she is not shaken without the sport as ���Ĵ�ý’s discipleship taught her the vitality that comes from placing her identity in God and His plan, above all else.��

Today, Ryman continues caring for her grandfather and working at a local boutique as she interviews for marketing positions in Indianapolis. Ryman plans to begin her career in social media or event-based promotional marketing.��

Ryman trusts God’s timing and guidance before she moves to the city in a few months.����

“I’m waiting to see where God calls me next.”

At ���Ĵ�ý, we know you were created for more than shallow relationships, a tolerable job, and weeks spent scraping by. You were created for community, knowledge, and eternal impact. You were created for more. Our mission is to help you discover what “more” looks like for you.

To learn more about ���Ĵ�ý, .