Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Gehsmann.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I began playing lacrosse in 2004 for TYLA, the Triad Youth Lacrosse Association. As I grew to love the game my lacrosse path took me from Kernodle Middle School to Western Guilford (4 year varsity starter and 2 year captain) to the University of South Carolina (club lacrosse), then back to Greensboro. In 2014 I started the Greensboro Lacrosse Club (GLC) with my best friends and still run the adult program today. In 2019 I merged the youth programs of GLC with NC Fusion and worked in their lacrosse program until 2023. I still run the NC Fusion adult lacrosse program and annual tournament. In 2024 destiny would have it that the opportunity came to me to become the Executive Director of TYLA, and along with a great group of coaches we have been working hard to build the game we love from the ground up. Most recently, I was given the opportunity to coach the Greensboro Day School middle school team and assist on the Varsity team. We won the state championship on May 16, 2026 and it was one of the most fun experiences I’ve had aside from seeing my wife say I Do and watching our babies being born. While I still run around a bit in Men’s league, I realize that Coaching is to be my main source of involvement and enjoyment in lacrosse from here on out. Hopefully, if I’m lucky, I will be fortunate enough to coach another 3-4 decades.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In 2013 I had my top right rib removed due to Paget–Schroetter Syndrome and therefore had to miss my junior year of college season. It was tough but after a year I was back on the field. No more issues related to this issue, but it was a strange time being in the hospital for 10 days then recovering for over 6 months. The experience made me grateful for my health and ability to bounce back to 100% and beyond physically.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am in the financial industry, and help clients with their investment, insurance as well as their tax needs. Additionally I run the adult sports programming for NC Fusion, Triad Youth Lacrosse Association, and coach at Greensboro Day School. Most recently my friends and I began a new non-profit lacrosse league called The Drew, in order to honor the Creators and provide a new outlet for youth lacrosse players in our area.
Lastly, I run a lawn services company and employee high school and college-aged kids to show them how to operate in a real world business. Many of our employees work for volunteer and community service hours, but there are 5-10 folks that work in a more full time role throughout the year depending on the season.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
If you find that you love something, just continue to work at it and figure out how to turn it into a job. This way you will “never work a day in your life”. Saying that to say, there will be stress in whatever you choose to do… Best to choose something you enjoy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://The-Drew.com
