The Road Less Traveled Award

2009: Ryan Frost

Faculty member, Jan Lamb's, introductory speech:

Ryan attended The Hill Center in 11th and 12th grades, graduating from Durham Academy in 1993.  In his senior year, he was an All-state lacrosse player, co-captain of the  State Championship lacrosse teamand was named Athlete of the Year.  He was an honor roll student both at Hill and Durham Academy. He is an Eagle scout, and he received the first –ever George Watts Hill student Award.  He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College where he also played Division  III varsity lacrosse.  He received Masters of Science degrees in education and in athletic administration from Springfield College.  While at Springfield, Ryan served as the Offensive Coordinator for the lacrosse team for 3 years, helping them advance to the NCAA tournament twice.  For 6 years, Ryan was the Director of Middle school physical education and the head varsity lacrosse coach at The Kinkaid School in Houston, rebuilding a sagging program and leading them to the Texas final 4.

Ryan is in his second year as the Athletic director at Cardigan Mountain School in New Hampshire.  He and his wife Meredith have two daughters Caroline and Natalie.  His parents are Claudia and David Frost of Chapel Hill. 

Ryan has maintained close ties with The Hill Center, returning to speak to student groups about college life, balancing academics and athletics and coping with learning differences.  In the acknowledgements in the opening pages of his Masters thesis,  along with his family and friends, he included the teachers at the Hill Center, thanking them for their support and guidance.  His enthusiasm as a coach is contagious.  He is constantly “in the game” with his players, encouraging them and praising their success and providing instruction for how to make the next play even better.  His players recognize his help, his encouragement, his knowledge of the game, and his impact on their lives.

Dave McCusker, the head master of Cardigan Mountain School summarizes his feelings about Ryan and the work he does at his school by saying, "When Ryan Frost arrived at Cardigan, he had the biggest possible shoes to fill.  He was replacing a beloved athletic director of 40-plus years, who is a legend in our community.  Ryan's commitment to the people, students and adults, is truly commendable.  His highest praise probably comes from his predecessor, who is unfailingly supportive of all of Ryan's efforts.  We are all fortunate to call Ryan Frost our colleague and friend."

Ryan’s story is like many of yours. He has chosen the road less traveled many times and he has truly made a difference. In 1993, when I introduced Ryan as the George Watts Hill award winner, I said this, "Ryan has high standards, high ideals and serious goals.  I have never known him to compromise any of these, and he refuses to accept less than the best from himself."  I would say the same about him today.  Holding to these high standards and never accepting less than the best of himself has required Ryan to take the road less traveled on numerous occasions.        

Past Award Winners
2008: Matthew Beason
2007: Jennifer Diliberto
2006: Brian D. Strahl
2005: W. Keith Dodson
2004: Lee Huskins
2003: Charlie Atwater
2002: Henry Tanner
2001: Ruth Anderson McGranahan
2000: Stefan Lee Hooker