Tampa Bay Past, Present and Future for Ryan Griffin

Ryan Griffin's story begins and ends in Tampa Bay. Griffin was born in Brandon, a suburb of Tampa, where he lived his whole life. As a senior student-athlete at the University of Tampa, Griffin has spent all 21 years of his life in the Tampa Bay area.

Griffin, a government and world affairs major at UT, really enjoys school. "I am a very big history buff. I love learning about World War II. I am quite the patriot. I even fly an American colonial flag in my room. I am also really into marine biology, political and social science." Griffin enjoys every subject in school except for math.

Griffin has always been very disciplined when it comes to school. Over his 4 years at UT he has always tried to the best of his abilities. "I developed a very good work ethic my freshman year and stuck with it." Griffin has been on the dean's list four of six semesters. He is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma and Pi Sigma Alpha honor societies.

Griffin has a 3.81 overall GPA and is graduating with the honors program.

Griffin also has a close relationship with his sister Rachel Griffin. She also goes attends UT to be close to home. "The reason we both went to UT was to be close to home. I don't ever plan on leaving the Tampa Bay area. We're just two Tampa kids who love where we are. Our whole family is here and I plan to start my own family here as well. People come to vacation here and this is where we live. I love everything about it." Ryan and Rachel both frequently go home to Brandon for Sunday dinners with the family.

Griffin even went to Tampa Prep, the high school right across Cass Street from UT. "I had great friends and great teachers at Tampa Prep. Overall it was a great experience."

When he graduates Griffin plans to try out for FC Tampa Bay. After his soccer career is over he plans to head to law school. Griffin plans to one day own his own law firm in the Tampa Bay area. "Its always been a dream of mine to have my own law firm. Especially in Tampa, this is a great place to settle down and have a family." Griffin plans to have a large family with many kids and dogs too.

While Griffin's family is from Brandon, his parents met in college at Florida State University. Griffin is a huge Florida State Athletics fan because of that. He has been going to Florida State football games since he was a kid.

"FSU is where I got my winning mentality from. I expect to win every time I take the field. Back in the 1990's FSU football was in the top 5 in the country every single year and winning just rubbed off on me."

After graduation, Ryan Griffin will be in the Tampa Bay area. Whether he goes to law school or continues his soccer career it will be in Tampa. Come see Ryan Griffin on senior night October 26th at 7pm vs St. Leo.

Written by Alexa DellaRocco