Hall of Fame
Ryan Travis came to West Liberty as a running back out of tiny Massillon (Ohio) Tuslaw High School but left the hilltop as one of the most decorated tight ends in NCAA Division II history.
Travis was a consensus first-team NCAA Division II All-America tight end in 2009 and 2010, leading the nation with 126 catches for 1,402 yards in 2010. The Hilltopper standout set all-time NCAA Division II records for tight ends that may never be approached, including: single-season (126) and career (285) receptions, single-season (1,402) and career (3,228) receiving yards and career touchdown receptions (34).
That production paid off in a big way for the Black and Gold as West Liberty won the 2009 WVIAC title and was ranked No. 9 in the final NCAA D2 coaches’ poll after going 11-1 and falling in the national quarterfinals. The 2010 Hilltoppers posted a 7-3 mark but just missed post-season play.
Travis signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks after graduating and played in two NFL preseason games before returning home to begin his teaching and coaching career at Tuslaw (Ohio) Middle School in Massillon.
