From Football to Dentistry

Ross Ryan, David Schoonover Making the Transition

Norm Betts. Tom Slade. Bryan Williams. Gary Weber. Rodney Feaster. These are a few School of Dentistry alumni who once played U-M football and later earned a dental degree or specialty degree at Michigan. History appears to be repeating itself. Currently, two former U-M football players are in the School's predoctoral program - Ross Ryan and David Schoonover.

Ross Ryan

Ryan, a first-year dental student, was on the Michigan football team from 2002 to 2006. As an undergraduate who majored in biopsychology and cognitive science, he was twice-named to the Academic All-Big Ten (2005, 2006) and five times a U-M Athletic Academic Achievement recipient.

"I didn't get to play during my first three years, but I wasn't disappointed," he said. "Just being around guys like Braylon Edwards, Chris Perry, John Navarre, and so many others, including the coaching staff, was quite a thrill."

Asked to describe what it was like on game day to come out of the tunnel onto the playing field for the very first time, surrounded by more than 100,000 fans, Ryan said, "I really got an adrenaline rush. I didn't realize, until then, just how big the Big House is."

Ryan did get to play during his senior year and as a fifth-year senior.

As a punter, he was on the team that played in five bowl games, including three Rose Bowls, played in 25 games, and averaged 37 yards a kick. A two-year letterman, Ryan was voted by the coaching staff as Michigan's special teams Most Valuable Player in 2005.

Although he was officially entered in the 2007 NFL draft as a punter, Ryan was not drafted. Only three punters were.

NFL Draft or Dentistry?

"Last spring, when I had to make a decision whether to pursue the NFL as a free agent, or officially accept my spot in the 2011 dental class, my decision was an easy one," he said. "Even though football had been my passion since I was a child, I had matured enough to see that I would make a much larger impact in peoples lives as a dentist and that a dental career is more secure than that of a professional football player."

Ryan said his interest in oral health care was sparked by his family dentist, Dr. Doug Thompson (DDS 1996), of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

"During one of my visits he answered my questions about dentistry and told me that possibilities the profession offered," Ryan said. As an undergraduate, he worked one summer in Thompson's lab and also shadowed several other dentists.

After taking his DAT exam and being accepted as a member of the Class of 2011, Ryan said two important lessons he learned playing football apply to his dental studies.

"You must have a 'work hard' ethic and be a good time manager because both football and dentistry are so demanding, each in their different ways," he said.

Although he attended U-M football games last fall, Ryan admitted that being in the stands, in the student section, for the first time after being on the playing field, "was a bit strange. I miss playing the game and the camaraderie. But I'm finding I'm just about as busy now with my dental studies as I was back then."

David Schoonover

A freshman walk-on in 2001, David Schoonover did not see gameday action until his junior year when he made his debut as an offensive lineman. He played in five games as a guard and center during his five years on the team.

Growing up, Schoonover said he wanted to not only play football but also get a good education. He succeeded on both counts.

As an undergraduate who earned a bachelor's degree in biology, Schoonover received the U-M Athletic Academic Achievement Award five times, was a member of the Academic All-Big Ten Conference (2005), and shared the Dr. Arthur D. Robinson Scholarship Award as the top student-athlete on the football team (2005).

Dentistry is a tradition in the Schoonover family.

His father, William, earned his dental degree from the U-M School of Dentistry in 1977. A brother, Andrew, earned his DDS in 2005.

Now a second-year dental student, Schoonover said his decision to pursue a dental career was inspired by his father.

"He's been such a big influence because of the way he lives his life," he said. "Twice he took me to Central America, Honduras in 2006 and Nicaragua in 2001, to watch him help those in need. His demeanor and the way he helped the truly needy made lasting impressions on me."

Football Lessons and Dental Studies

Although he played in just five games Schoonover said he was not disappointed seeing limited action. "Participating in practices everyday was a privilege and an honor," he said.

"I had an important role to play. My job was to give it everything I had, so that the starting players were in top condition to play the opposing team," he added. "It takes an entire team to make it to a championship game, including bowl games. And if you love the game, you practice and play with all your heart."

Recalling the first time he emerged with his teammates from the tunnel at the Big House onto the playing field, Schoonover said "it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I was flying high when I heard 110,000 people cheering for us as we ran onto the field. It's something I'll never forget."

Schoonover said he made friendships with players "that will last a lifetime. We're one big family that shares a common bond, playing for the Maize and Blue."

One common bond was the team's weekly visits to Mott Children's Hospital.

"Those visits helped me realize what life is really all about," he said. "To see so many children who don't have what I have puts life in perspective. It helped me to realize even more why I want to become a dentist - to help people and to give back."

Asked what lessons he learned on the practice field and playing field that have helped him during his predoctoral studies, Schoonover said "hard work, perseverance, and time management."

"As a walk-on, I had to work harder to prove myself to my teammates and my coaches. But I realized that if I persevered, worked hard, and managed my time, I could do anything," he said.