Joe Ryan '81 has had a tremendous impact in the long and illustrious history of the track and field program, serving as a coach for 30 years following a solid career as a student-athlete. Ryan, who was named the 2003 AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year, coached a number of college record-holders and numerous All-East performers in both the IC4A and ECAC Championships. A total of 62 MAAC Championships, 39 Metropolitan Championships, and one IC4A Team Championship were won during his time on the sidelines. In 2000, Ryan helped guide Aliann Pompey, Manhattan's first female All-American, to both the NCAA indoor 400-meter title and a national collegiate record in the 500-meters. In addition to his coaching duties at Manhattan, he has also served as the head track and field coach for Guyana at the 2008 Beijing and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic games. Ryan, a former co-captain of the track and and field team, still holds the school record in the sprint medley relay at the college, and is a former Irish record holder in the 100 and 200 meters, which he achieved during his 10-year career as a member of the Ireland's National Team. He has been the chair of the Math Department in the Nanuet school system in Rockland County for the past 20 years.