More than just about anything, Ryan McGinty loved being on the court.
McGinty was a basketball player at Bishop McDevitt High School, where he also played football. A talented athlete from Fox Chase, his playing days came to an end after he was diagnosed with cancer.
The disease claimed his life in April of 2003, two years before he was set to graduate, and before he could take his spot on the hardwood for his junior and senior campaigns.
With the help of his school, coupled with the love of the community, the McGinty family found out just how important their boy Ryan was to everyone involved with the Lancers program and the school itself.
“When Ryan was in the hospital his coach at the time, Jack Rutter, came to visit Ryan in the hospital and told Ryan by the time you get better the new gym floor will be done,” said Ryan’s dad James. “Jack said this to Ryan to help keep his spirits up and have something to look forward to. Well after that it was all Ryan talked about, couldn’t wait to play on the new floor. Unfortunately, that day never came.”
Sadly, Ryan never got the opportunity to step foot on the new floor, but the school made sure to bring the floor to him.
In 2005, McDevitt’s renovated gym was dedicated to McGinty’s memory.
The floor stayed, which had Ryan’s name on it, until the archdiocese closed McDevitt in 2021. The school was sold to Arcadia University, and while attempts to remove the portion of the floor that has Ryan’s name were unsuccessful, the family is getting a replica of the floor.
Ryan’s memory remains strong in everyone’s hearts, but it’s always fun to see a special reminder of him.
“The one they did for us, we will hang in our family gathering room where we watch all sporting events and gather for family affairs,” James said.
McDevitt might be closed, but Ryan is still helping the school he loved.
Through the Ryan McGinty Memorial Foundation, the family has raised more than $100,000 in tuition assistance to help student-athletes at McDevitt and St. Cecilia’s, the family’s parish in Fox Chase.
Ryan helped people his entire life, so it makes sense his family continues to help his mission in helping others.
“Ryan was a special young man, anyone he would meet, became his friend,” his dad said. “He was genuine, sincere, and wanted nothing but the best for everyone. We hear people talk about Ryan, it’s always said, what a special young man.
“Bishop McDevitt in 2005 posthumously graduated Ryan, his mom and I accepted his diploma. We waited behind as the families left and when we went to leave there was a young man waiting for us. He said he needed to share that when he and Ryan were freshmen, this young man was picked on, and on one occasion Ryan witnessed this and it was the last time he was ever picked on, he stated that Ryan made it known, this is my friend! That was our Ryan.”
And the family continues his mission.
Ryan’s family, which also consists of parents James, Marianne, brother Jim and sister Erin, makes sure Ryan’s legacy lives on through kind acts.
“Because of his love for Bishop McDevitt and his sports, I think he would be thrilled,” his dad said.
And the mission rolls on.
“Because it was so important to Ryan to play on that new floor, that after he passed, our family, his mother, brother, sister and I, discussed how great it would be to raise the money through a foundation and dedicate a new floor in Ryan’s memory. We started the Ryan McGinty Memorial Foundation. Through fundraisers and donations, we made that happen,” his dad said.
