Remembering Fellow Husky Rugger Ryan Job

As a tribute to Ryan's birthday, we would like to take this time to commemorate our fellow Husky rugby player, Ryan Job (pronounced J-Oh-B), as we dedicate our scholarship fund in his honor. For those who may not have had the privilege of knowing him, we would like to share a glimpse of his remarkable character.

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Ryan 'Biggles' Curtis Job
Petty Officer Second Class (SEAL)
Born March 11, 1981 in Washington state
Husky Rugby Prop 2000 & 2001
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Beyond the rugby pitch, Ryan was an example of courage, resilience, and selflessness. Just before Ryan started his Junior Year, the September 11^th 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States motivated him to put his education on hold and leave Husky Rugby in pursuit of becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL. Upon completion of Navy basic training, Ryan arrived in Coronado, California to report for Basic Underwater Demolition School or BUD/S. Ryan’s humility, hard work, and sense of humor earned the trust and respect of his fellow candidates and SEAL leadership. In 2004 Ryan graduated from BUD/S Class 251 and was assigned to SEAL Team 3, Charlie Platoon. After years of tactical missions around the world, SEAL Team 3 deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, at the time known as the most dangerous city in the world. Under Jocko Willink’s leadership, “Task Unit Bruiser” mobilized the epicenter of Ramadi, operating as the ‘heart’ of America’s Operation Iraqi Freedom. Soon after arriving in Iraq, Ryan earned a Bronze Star for protecting his team when he moved from his safe position to the center of an alley where, under a barrage of enemy bullets, he delivered cover fire for his fellow SEALs evacuation. On the morning of August 2, 2006, while on a rooftop providing over-watch security for fellow special forces, Ryan was shot by an enemy Sniper. The bullet struck the upper receiver of his weapon sending shards of metal into his face, ultimately being loosely reflected in the film American Sniper. Although being severely wounded and already having lost his right eye, Ryan refused to be a burden to his team and evacuated himself off the rooftop under intense enemy fire, yet another example of Ryan's grit and selflessness. The wound eventually rendered Ryan totally blind and forced his medical retirement from the Navy.

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Despite facing profound challenges, Ryan’s unyielding spirit and faith propelled him forward inspiring all who crossed his path. Ryan returned home and married, moved to Arizona, finished his Bachelors’ Degree getting a 4.0 GPA, and enrolled in a graduate MBA program. Despite total blindness from his combat wounds, Ryan was determined to take on “unreasonable” challenges. With tactical team support, in 2008 he climbed to the summit of Mt. Rainier (14,411’ Elevation) and later that year hunted, shot and harvested a 900-pound elk. In the summer of 2009 Ryan, while training for an Ironman Triathlon, learned he was to become a father, one of his lifelong family goals. On September 24^th, 2009, while in the recovery room after yet another reconstructive surgery to his face, suddenly and unexpectedly Ryan passed from this world due to a hospital’s medical error – a tragic end to a warrior caught in the ruthless global war on terror.
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Ryan’s legacy endures as a testament to the power of faith and determination in overcoming adversity, and that true strength lies in the resilience of the human spirit. Ryan Job's enduring impact serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding all that extraordinary heights can be reached through unwavering faith in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Former UW Rugby teammates and the greater Husky Rugby community are honored to have Ryan’s esprit de corps (spirit of the group) live eternally amongst us all. The Alumni hope's the ethos of Ryan’s story translates to universal motivation for each active and former UW Rugger to become better humans, aiming to deploy a lifetime of positivity in our brief time on planet earth.

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