(Former) Superintendent Dr. Ryan Cunningham of Michigan also serves Ovid-Elsie Area Schools as the girls’ basketball coach, a position Cunningham has held for several years including the time he served as superintendent of schools.
“It was definitely a challenge at times to balance my job responsibilities, family, and basketball”, said Superintendent Cunningham. “But I love coaching and the kids and it was worth it.”
Over the course of the last three seasons, the Lady Marauders have experienced a ton of success under Ryan Cunningham of Michigan. With only one loss in the conference over the last three seasons, the Lady Marauders have won back-to-back Mid-Michigan Activities Conferences (MMAC) titles, as well as back-to-back District titles, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in nearly 40 years.
Superintendent Ryan Cunningham said, “I have a ton of respect for those mid-1980s teams. They were what we aspired to be and the target we are aiming for.”
This season Ovid-Elsie also did something that hasn’t been done since 1984 as well – won a Division 3 Regional Title with a 35-12 over Regional favorite Dansville. Superintendent Ryan Cunningham and his squad turned out an outstanding performance before falling to eventual State Runner-Up Blissfield by four points.
Ryan Cunningham said, “The regional title was special. Dansville had beaten us earlier in the year and we knew we had to play a great game. My kids showed up and delivered.” Superintendent Ryan Cunningham added, “The Quarter-Final loss to Blissfield was tough because we were so close to making it to the Final Four and playing on the Breslin Center floor.”
Ryan Cunningham of Michigan did not go unrecognized as the MMAC selected Superintendent Cunningham as “Coach of the Year” for the second straight season. The Lansing State Journal also selected Ryan Cunningham of Michigan as the Division 3 “Lansing Area Coach of the Year” for the second straight season.
Ryan Cunningham, Superintendent concluded, “I am thankful for the recognition, but this is about the kids. We have a great core group of kids coming back next year so hopefully we can make another deep run.”
Local Superintendent Ryan Cunningham Takes Teams to Italy, Spain
Ryan Cunningham of Michigan was selected by the American Council for International Studies (ACIS) and America’s Team to put together teams for a trip of a lifetime.
In 2017, Superintendent Ryan Cunningham worked with local schools, coaches, parents, and student-athletes to conduct a field trip in Italy. Part of the field trip would include playing four games of basketball against regional club teams in Italy.
America’s Team consisted of several Lansing, Michigan area players and was coached by Superintendent Cunningham.
“I think it was a trip of a lifetime for some of these kids,” said Superintendent Ryan Cunningham. “Many of these kids have never even been on a plane.”
The team stopped in Lake Como, Milan, Florence, Pisa, and finished their trip in Rome. Throughout the trip, the team was able to enjoy some of the sights that Italy has to offer and explore the local culture.
The team only won one game, but it wasn’t all about basketball. Ryan Cunningham of Michigan stated, “The experience far outweighed the basketball. Some of these girls will never get this opportunity again. I’m glad we won a game, but I think we will all look back and recognize the experience we had and the lifetime friendships we made.”
After the successful trip to Italy in 2017, ACIS came calling again with plans for Superintendent Ryan Cunningham to put together another team in 2018, this time heading to Spain.
“How could I say ‘no’,” said Ryan Cunningham. “Spain – are you kidding me!”
Again, Ryan Cunningham of Michigan worked with local schools, coaches, parents, and players to put together another field trip that would take the Michiganders to Madrid and Barcelona.
Ryan Cunningham of Michigan said, “We had several new girls for this trip and once again we had a great time. We played some incredible teams and learned a lot about international basketball, but once again it was about just basketball.”
Superintendent Ryan Cunningham also noted that the team only won one game while in Spain.
“I guess my international record isn’t great,” joked Ryan Cunningham. “But I think these kids and parents would tell you that our expedition was perfect.”
While in Spain, the team was able to visit Madrid and Barcelona and take in some of the most famous sites the country has to offer like the Real Madrid Stadium. Again, it was a trip of a lifetime for the team and really showed what kind of doors can open for them through their talents.
Ryan Cunningham is incredibly proud of the Ovid-Else team and the dedication that they have shown to the sport as well as one another throughout the seasons. They are a great group that represents Michigan well, and Cunningham speaks to how he looks forward to seeing their future successes.
