All About Me

My name is Ryana Garner. I am from the small town of King and Queen County, VA. I am 22 and currently a senior studying sport management. Sports have always been my biggest passion. I was first introduced to sports around the age of 5 when my mom signed me up for a T-ball team. And thus, my sports journey was born. Throughout elementary, middle, and high school, I played 3 sports: softball, volleyball, and basketball. I dedicated countless hours to practices, homework, and games. I always made sure to work hard and leave my mark on any court/field I stepped on.

My sports journey was suddenly ended due to COVID, which happened my junior year of high school. Sports had become an important part of my identity, and without them, I felt lost. However, when it was time to start college, I knew that my major had to be connected to sports. This was the only way I could fill the void that was missing.

Freshman year, I chose Exercise Science with a minor in Sports Management. This major did not go as planned, and I was miserable. Then, I woke up one day and decided to become a sports management major without a minor. It was probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. I have loved every minute of being an SMGT major. I have volunteered for our athletics department in facilities and operations, communications, and equipment room. Also, I volunteered at the YMCA in Greenbriar. 

Trying to figure out a career path while being in this major has been overwhelming but exciting. Through volunteer work, I learned that I enjoy the communications side of sports. I want to become either a sports publicist or the social media manager of a team.

Beyond just building a career, my biggest goal is to make a meaningful impact in the sports world. As an African American woman, I know that barriers are prevalent in this industry and how difficult it can be to break those, But I want to be an exception to that and prove that young Black women can succeed in any area of sports they set their minds to. I hope to inspire those who look like me to pursue their dreams, no matter the hardships they may face.

My future is still uncertain, but I am loving the journey. As I continue to gain experience and knowledge, I am excited to see where this takes me.

Expectations of the Blog

This blog was created by me with the help of the one of the student tutors at our E-Portfolio Center. I hope to enhancing my writing and communication skills, while being able to see my personal growth. I will be able to track my progress and reflect on my experiences, challenges, and accomplishments. Also, I hope to create an amazing digital portfolio that could potentially help me with my future career and attract future employers.