FATHER
His wife is Betsy is secret weapon to being a professional. Both have four children: Lilli, Gaven, Aiden, and Nora.
His wife is Betsy is secret weapon to being a professional. Both have four children: Lilli, Gaven, Aiden, and Nora.
PROFESSOR
Professor Ryan Gordon Lancaster was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on August 30, 1983. He graduated from West Ottawa High School in Holland, Michigan in 2002, and received an Associate degree of Applied Sciences from Muskegon Community College in 2005. He later went on to obtain his BS in History from Grand Valley State University in 2009. After graduating from American Military University in 2014 with a Masters in American History, he wanted to give back to the historical community at large (also, actually use his degree for something besides a decoration on his wall). He thus began his heavily lauded and lucrative career as adjunct professor at Central Texas College and his alma mater, Muskegon Community College.
For as long as he can remember he has been infatuated with history. Some of his earliest memories were thumbing through a National Geographic and seeing photographs of the sunk and dilapidated Titanic, and the plaster mold of a dog chained to a wall at Pompeii, circa 79CE. Questions began to rise. Where did this dog come from? Why did he die? Did dogs have ghosts? What was for dinner (he was like 5 years old)? This fascination has led him to view and discover the world differently. As a student of history, Lancaster feels a sense of empowerment that comes with its unique perspective. We are all connected to each other through history and he uses this basic principle to guide him with his life’s choices and decisions. As a historian, is given the daunting task of not only preserving our past, but allowing mankind to truly know itself. Since receiving his Masters, he has continued to work in public schools in Michigan and public museums.
Lancaster seems to have a penchant for American history, as it is what encapsulates all he has been learning about the last few years. But there is much more to learn. He enjoys a good mystery and the search for the answer. But instead of being intimidated by ignorance he is willing to rise to the challenge of understanding the parts of the past which have been hidden or lost. The quest for the truth is what fuels his fervor. He wishes to instill this in a younger generation through the academic process and within the confines of a classroom. But the definition of the classroom has changed. Through the advent of the information age, academics has been handed down from the private universities and given to the plebeians, not unlike the spark of fire to Prometheus. We have is the arrival of the smart phone the power of the gods at our finger tips (to which most use to look only at cat pictures). The World Wide Web is the school, and he wants to be your professor.
Professor Ryan Gordon Lancaster was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on August 30, 1983. He graduated from West Ottawa High School in Holland, Michigan in 2002, and received an Associate degree of Applied Sciences from Muskegon Community College in 2005. He later went on to obtain his BS in History from Grand Valley State University in 2009. After graduating from American Military University in 2014 with a Masters in American History, he wanted to give back to the historical community at large (also, actually use his degree for something besides a decoration on his wall). He thus began his heavily lauded and lucrative career as adjunct professor at Central Texas College and his alma mater, Muskegon Community College.
For as long as he can remember he has been infatuated with history. Some of his earliest memories were thumbing through a National Geographic and seeing photographs of the sunk and dilapidated Titanic, and the plaster mold of a dog chained to a wall at Pompeii, circa 79CE. Questions began to rise. Where did this dog come from? Why did he die? Did dogs have ghosts? What was for dinner (he was like 5 years old)? This fascination has led him to view and discover the world differently. As a student of history, Lancaster feels a sense of empowerment that comes with its unique perspective. We are all connected to each other through history and he uses this basic principle to guide him with his life’s choices and decisions. As a historian, is given the daunting task of not only preserving our past, but allowing mankind to truly know itself. Since receiving his Masters, he has continued to work in public schools in Michigan and public museums.
Lancaster seems to have a penchant for American history, as it is what encapsulates all he has been learning about the last few years. But there is much more to learn. He enjoys a good mystery and the search for the answer. But instead of being intimidated by ignorance he is willing to rise to the challenge of understanding the parts of the past which have been hidden or lost. The quest for the truth is what fuels his fervor. He wishes to instill this in a younger generation through the academic process and within the confines of a classroom. But the definition of the classroom has changed. Through the advent of the information age, academics has been handed down from the private universities and given to the plebeians, not unlike the spark of fire to Prometheus. We have is the arrival of the smart phone the power of the gods at our finger tips (to which most use to look only at cat pictures). The World Wide Web is the school, and he wants to be your professor.
WRESTLING COACH AND ATHLETE
Coach Lancaster has been apart of the West Ottawa wrestling family since 1996. As a middle schooler, he would practice with his older brother Rory under Coach McCourt and Coach Nadolsky. He developed at a very early age under the Panther system, winning several youth state titles and even became an All-American. He also had an impressive prep career, becoming a 2002 MHSAA State Qualifier and a 3x MHSAA Regional Qualifier. He holds records for career wins, team points, escapes, reversals, 2-point near falls and 3-point near falls. He also was a 3x USAW National Qualifier and a member of the 2002 USAW Junior Greco-Roman National Championship team.
In college, Lancaster was a 2003 Academic All-American for Muskegon Community College, as well as 2003 USAW "Red-shirt Freshman" All-American. He later went on the wrestle NCAA Division 1 at Eastern Michigan University with fellow West Ottawa alum John McClure. After one season he transferred to Grand Valley State University where he finished out is collegiate career as a Laker. As a member of the 2008 NCWA National Championship team, Lancaster was an All-American placing 7th at the NCWA National Championships at 235lbs.
Since then he has dedicated himself to the coaching world, joining the West Ottawa wrestling coaching staff in 2006. coaching at all levels, he has helped the Panthers in securing 2 MHSAA district team titles, as well as coached several All-State wrestlers and All-Americans. He is also currently the director of wrestling for Myrmidon Training Systems, a grass root Olympic style wrestling club located in Holland, Michigan.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Coach Lancaster has been apart of the West Ottawa wrestling family since 1996. As a middle schooler, he would practice with his older brother Rory under Coach McCourt and Coach Nadolsky. He developed at a very early age under the Panther system, winning several youth state titles and even became an All-American. He also had an impressive prep career, becoming a 2002 MHSAA State Qualifier and a 3x MHSAA Regional Qualifier. He holds records for career wins, team points, escapes, reversals, 2-point near falls and 3-point near falls. He also was a 3x USAW National Qualifier and a member of the 2002 USAW Junior Greco-Roman National Championship team.
In college, Lancaster was a 2003 Academic All-American for Muskegon Community College, as well as 2003 USAW "Red-shirt Freshman" All-American. He later went on the wrestle NCAA Division 1 at Eastern Michigan University with fellow West Ottawa alum John McClure. After one season he transferred to Grand Valley State University where he finished out is collegiate career as a Laker. As a member of the 2008 NCWA National Championship team, Lancaster was an All-American placing 7th at the NCWA National Championships at 235lbs.
Since then he has dedicated himself to the coaching world, joining the West Ottawa wrestling coaching staff in 2006. coaching at all levels, he has helped the Panthers in securing 2 MHSAA district team titles, as well as coached several All-State wrestlers and All-Americans. He is also currently the director of wrestling for Myrmidon Training Systems, a grass root Olympic style wrestling club located in Holland, Michigan.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- NCEP Bronze Level Coach
- 2008 NCWA All-American
- Member of 2008 NCWA National Champion Team
- 2003 USAW Collegiate All-American
- 2003 NJCAA Academic All-American
- 2002 MHSAA State Qualifier
- Numerous MUSAW State Championships
- Member of Numerous National and International Teams
- Coached 2x MHSAA District Championship Teams
- Coached dozens of All-State and All-American wrestlers, as well as a World Medalist
- Former Michigan National Team Coach