Patti and Jim Ryan gave selflessly of their time and efforts to MTHS over many decades. Their loyalty, unwavering dedication, and positivity were infectious to all who worked with them.
Patti started cooking and serving hot dogs in the 1980s. She has been involved with decorating the town for play-off games, selling football apparel at every football game, cleaning the concession stand prior to every game, and running the concession stand for sophomore games. Many of the things that current Redbird fans take for granted were started, developed, and maintained under the watchful eye of Patti Ryan.
Jim was a bus driver to many MTHS sporting events, ran the scoreboard for football games, and volunteered in every way imaginable through the years to help develop the Redbird football experience into what it is today. He passed away in 2008, and his memorial went toward the purchase of one of the new goal posts at Malone Field.
Patti and Jim raised four sons in Metamora – Michael, Patrick, Curtis, and Joe. Three of the four are football coaches. Patrick was the head coach at MTHS for 30 years and led his alma mater to seven state championship games and 19 Mid-Illini titles, Curt has coached since 1992 and compiled 19 underclass Mid-Illini crowns, and Joe is the very successful head football coach at Sycamore High School.
Patti says she has enjoyed working with all the volunteers and parents over the years. She particularly remembers one playoff game:
“We had several inches of snow on the field and it had blown into the concession stand. Everyone in town was helping to clear the field that day. I have been blessed to work with so many people over the years.”