Providence’s Ryan Ward named to Army game

Updated: October 20, 2011 10:23PM

The end of the Junior Recognition Day Liturgy at Providence featured a special recognition for senior Ryan Ward.

In a gymnasium packed with students and parents, the 6-foot-5, 280-pound offensive tackle Thursday was named to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

“We are proud to have you wear the Army colors,” Sgt. John Harper told Ward as he was presented with his jersey amid a standing ovation.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is a high school all-star game that will pit East vs. West squads Jan. 7 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

“I’m the first one from Providence to be going, so it’s a real honor,” Ward said before the presentation.

“The great tradition of Providence Catholic football, and we’ve never had anyone selected to play in this game,” Celtics coach Mark Coglianese said. “That right there says a lot.”

Five selection teams from the Army travel across the country through mid-December to announce the 90-player event.

“It’s a tremendous honor for the school to have Ryan selected,” athletic director Doug Ternik said. “It’s a tremendous feat from the tradition we’ve had here for all our athletics.”

The Providence football tradition includes nine state championships, the most recent in 2004.

“We have a great tradition, especially offensive linemen the past few years,” said Ward, who praised offensive line coach Tom Lenahan. “My brother, Pat, is at Northwestern, and Dan Lembke is at Boston College.”

Current pros Adrian Peterson, Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow and Ndamukong Suh have played in the Army All-American Bowl.

“This is going to be a game where it’s the best of the best,” Ward said. “It’s definitely going to be getting me ready for college. You’re going to go up against kids who are going to big schools.”

Ward chose Iowa over Boston College, Northwestern and Michigan State.

“To me it’s an offensive lineman’s paradise,” Ward said of Iowa. “They’re awesome at developing offensive linemen into great players.”

For Ward, going to San Antonio is more than a trip to play in a football game.

“Part of the thing that’s so cool about this bowl game is you get to meet guys from the army and you get to personally thank them for their service,” Ward said.

“It has a lot to do with his athletic ability, but just as much they include academics, what type of person he is,” Coglianese said of Ward’s selection. “I think that’s where Ryan really excels. He’s a great player, but he’s a great person.”

The Providence coach said Ward has a “great work ethic” and has shown a lot of improvement the last couple of years.

“You always see him in the weight room,” Coglianese said. “He’s the first one here in the mornings, 6 a.m. in the offseason. He’s a leader, the kids kind of follow him and see what he does and know that hard work pays off.”

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