Kean University

Merry Beth Ryan played two seasons of basketball for Kean after transferring from Florida Southern College, and in that time managed to distinguish herself as one of the best to wear the Cougar uniform.

From 1987 through 1989, Ryan set 11 different team marks, such as most points in a game (43 versus Jersey City State College [now New Jersey City University] in the 1989 New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs), points in a season (689 in 1987-1988), points in a career (1,565 from 1985 through 1989, including seasons at Utica College and Florida Southern) and highest career scoring average (24.5 points per game). The guard also set program records for most career points in a Kean uniform (1,376), most three-point goals in a game (seven, two times), in a season (59 in 1987-1988) and in a career (117); best three-point field-goal shooting percentage in a game (100 percent, 7-for-7), and in a season (44.4 percent, 59-for-133 in 1987-1988); and three-point field goals attempted in a game, season and career.

For her exploits on the hardwood, Ryan was named to a laundry list of postseason athletic honors including Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Player of the Year, New Jersey Basketball Writers Player of the Year, Union County Female Athlete of the Year and The Star-Ledger Female Athlete of the Year, all in 1987-1988. She was also named All-ECAC, All-Region, All-Atlantic Regional team at the NCAA Tournament and first team All-NJAC that season. Ryan was also a second team All-NJAC choice in 1988-1989.

In her two seasons, Ryan led the Cougars to records of 21-8 and 24-5, two NJAC titles and two NCAA Tournament berths.

She was a standout shortstop for the 1988 softball team as well, batting .286 in her team-leading 133 at-bats, tied for the club lead with 28 runs scored and posting a .941 fielding percentage. With Ryan aboard, the Cougars claimed a 28-14 mark and qualified for the NCAA Regionals.

Ryan earned a bachelor of science in management science from Kean in 1991.