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University of Minnesota Athletics
A Lesson Learned; Senior Ryan Domin
8/30/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Simple. Domin did not want to be that guy who threw in the towel. "I went from playing every single high school play to sitting on the bench. But I didn't want to be the one to quit," he said. "To prove myself, I had to stick it out. Some people didn't think I had it in me."
Domin knew he had what it took to perform at the college level and he wasn't going to leave until he showed everyone what he was capable of accomplishing. He could have done that easily by playing Division III football somewhere in the MIAC Conference. He could have taken a smaller Division I school's scholarship offer and have been playing in all its games over the past three years. But that's just not where Domin wanted to see his football career played out. "I was offered to walk-on to the Gophers, and I always wanted to play here. You think about playing for the 'U' growing up in the state of Minnesota. You want to play for the Gophers."
Last year, the tables finally turned for Domin. He got the call. After three years of waiting, he stepped on to the playing field wearing the Maroon and Gold. His first collegiate play led to 286 more on the season. He played in 10 games, and earned a starting position against Purdue. In the season finale against Wisconsin, Domin registered three solo tackles. At last, Domin was playing for the University of Minnesota. Never giving up had paid off after all.
Defensive line coach Tom Sims has overseen Domin's development for two seasons, and knows the struggles that he has been through. "Even when a player is on scholarship, college football is not an easy sport," Sims said. "You have to be tough, and your pay is playing time. Ryan stuck with it and worked hard for his starting role."
Yes, the hard work and dedication rewarded Domin even more in the 2002 season. One look at the preseason depth chart and there it is: under "Nose Tackle", the first line reads "Ryan Domin (6-5, 276, Sr.)." Domin has officially made it and is now a starter. But he knows that his name on paper does not guarantee time on the field. "I have to keep working hard. I know what I'm doing and have to go out and prove that," he said.
Coach Sims praised Domin for being named a starter, saying, "Ryan's done it the right way - he's earned it."
Only time will tell regarding Domin and his Golden Gopher Football success, but he has certainly showed everyone, including coaches, teammates and people from his hometown what he can do. With the number of collegiate football players that quit after one season of not seeing any action, Domin sticking it out through three inactive seasons is as much a lesson of not giving up as any. And even after all of his patience and perseverance, Domin knows that it all comes down to the team, saying, "It doesn't matter if I play or not as long as we win."
Written by Minnesota Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant Courtney Walerius
A lesson every parent tries to instill in their child is that of never giving up. Well, it's one of those things that is easier said than done. Take the case of fifth-year senior defensive tackle Ryan Domin. He was, more or less, a Golden Gopher benchwarmer for three years. Maybe sideline-warmer would be more appropriate. After being a high school stud at Mahtomedi, how could Domin not quit the team after being excluded from every single play for 37 collegiate games, including two bowl trips?
Simple. Domin did not want to be that guy who threw in the towel. "I went from playing every single high school play to sitting on the bench. But I didn't want to be the one to quit," he said. "To prove myself, I had to stick it out. Some people didn't think I had it in me."
Domin knew he had what it took to perform at the college level and he wasn't going to leave until he showed everyone what he was capable of accomplishing. He could have done that easily by playing Division III football somewhere in the MIAC Conference. He could have taken a smaller Division I school's scholarship offer and have been playing in all its games over the past three years. But that's just not where Domin wanted to see his football career played out. "I was offered to walk-on to the Gophers, and I always wanted to play here. You think about playing for the 'U' growing up in the state of Minnesota. You want to play for the Gophers."
Last year, the tables finally turned for Domin. He got the call. After three years of waiting, he stepped on to the playing field wearing the Maroon and Gold. His first collegiate play led to 286 more on the season. He played in 10 games, and earned a starting position against Purdue. In the season finale against Wisconsin, Domin registered three solo tackles. At last, Domin was playing for the University of Minnesota. Never giving up had paid off after all.
Defensive line coach Tom Sims has overseen Domin's development for two seasons, and knows the struggles that he has been through. "Even when a player is on scholarship, college football is not an easy sport," Sims said. "You have to be tough, and your pay is playing time. Ryan stuck with it and worked hard for his starting role."
Yes, the hard work and dedication rewarded Domin even more in the 2002 season. One look at the preseason depth chart and there it is: under "Nose Tackle", the first line reads "Ryan Domin (6-5, 276, Sr.)." Domin has officially made it and is now a starter. But he knows that his name on paper does not guarantee time on the field. "I have to keep working hard. I know what I'm doing and have to go out and prove that," he said.
Coach Sims praised Domin for being named a starter, saying, "Ryan's done it the right way - he's earned it."
Only time will tell regarding Domin and his Golden Gopher Football success, but he has certainly showed everyone, including coaches, teammates and people from his hometown what he can do. With the number of collegiate football players that quit after one season of not seeing any action, Domin sticking it out through three inactive seasons is as much a lesson of not giving up as any. And even after all of his patience and perseverance, Domin knows that it all comes down to the team, saying, "It doesn't matter if I play or not as long as we win."
Written by Minnesota Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant Courtney Walerius
