DULUTH, Minn. — The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) community is mourning the loss of a student-athlete, who the school said died this week at the age of 22.

Senior UMD Bulldog football defensive lineman Reed Ryan went into cardiac arrest on Nov. 21 and died Tuesday, according to his obituary. 

“This was the result of an undetected genetic heart condition and a large, loving heart,” the obituary reads, in part. “The athletic training team was tremendous in their efforts to immediately initiate CPR and regain his pulse. The ICU hospital staff at St. Mary’s-Duluth were amazing in doing everything possible for him.”

UMD officials said Ryan was “an excellent student,” double majoring in marketing and professional sales at the institution’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics.  

In a statement following the student-athlete’s death, Bulldog football head coach Curt Wiese said Ryan “will be greatly missed,” and his “legacy will live on forever.”

“Our staff and players are devastated about Reed’s passing,” said Wiese. “Reed aspired to be better every day at whatever task was at hand. He helped bring out the best in others with his positive attitude, infectious smile, and genuine care for the people around him. We were fortunate to have Reed on our team, and he made our program, our department, and our community a better place in a short period of time… He was the epitome of a UMD Bulldog, and what we can all aspire to be. To his family, thank you for allowing us to be part of his inspiring young life. Reed was a Bulldog through and through.”

Before attending UMD, Ryan won two NCAA Division I AA FCS National Championships at North Dakota State University (NDSU), where he was also a three-time Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award recipient and a four-time Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll member. Ryan, a native of Waunakee, Wisconsin, left NDSU to join the Bulldogs for their 2023 season.

“I want the Ryan family to know that Bison nation, especially the Bison football team, is thinking of them,” Entz said.

According to UMD officials, a memorial wake will be held at Blackhawk Church in Middleton, Wisconsin on Friday, Dec. 1 from 3-7 p.m. A short wake will follow Saturday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. and will precede a funeral service at the church that begins at 11 a.m.

“Reed had a positive impact on so many and we are deeply saddened by his passing,” said UMD director of athletics Forrest Karr, in the school’s statement. “Reed was a kind, caring and thoughtful young man who enjoyed bringing people together. He grew up in my hometown and was beloved by those who knew him in Waunakee, Fargo, Duluth, and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are with Reed’s family and friends during this time of sorrow. We are grateful for everyone who is supporting Reed’s teammates and our staff members.”

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