About Hartwick Basketball

Oneonta, New York, United States
Hartwick is among the North East’s elite liberal art colleges both academically and athletically. Hartwick has a reputation of academic excellence and offers a most diverse selection of degree programs, with a strong emphasis on a liberal arts education. Our campus is truly beautiful. We are located on a scenic 425-acre site on the northern slopes of New York’s Catskill Mountains, in Oneonta, a town considered by some experts to be among the top ten best college towns in America. Hartwick offers a small college atmosphere; as the student/faculty ratio is 11 to 1, and the average classroom size is 15. Yet we are only 70 minutes from the state capital, Albany, and two and a half hours from New York City. This setting provides an ideal atmosphere academically, athletically, and socially for the aspiring student-athlete. Combine these facts with tremendous facilities, a great schedule, and a major commitment to the basketball program, and you can see why Hartwick basketball has made the final four and is a true Division III Giant! As a member of the Empire 8 Conference, Hartwick competes successfully in one of the premier Division III conferences in the country.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Meet the Hartwick Hawks- Sophomore CHRIS RYDER


Hey my name is Chris Ryder, I’m a sophomore at Hartwick college. I’m from Port Washington, Long Island and play Basketball here at Hartwick. I am also on the club volleyball team when I’m not playing basketball. I have an older brother who graduated from Salisbury University in Maryland. He is currently living in Boulder, Colorado, managing a restaurant and playing professional indoor box lacrosse. He also is coaching the men’s lacrosse team at Boulder High School along with doing personal training lessons in lacrosse. My Father is the Chief Helicopter Pilot and Manager for the company Ventura Air Services. My mother is a 3rd grade teacher at Glenwood Landing elementary school in the North Shore school district.

My favorite sports teams are The Giants, The Mets, The Islanders, and I have no favorite NBA team but I want The Knicks to do well. My favorite player of all time is Hakeem Olajuwon and my favorite active player I would say is either Chris Bosh or Danny Granger.

I like Hartwick because of the relationships I’ve built with the people here. Being that it’s a small school I get the extra attention in the classroom that I need to succeed in the classroom. The campus is really nice and has a great view of the City of Oneonta. My decision was influenced because I wanted to play basketball in college and I’ve found the perfect fit for me as a student-athlete. This program has a great history and great support from the Alumni. The ultimate goal for our team here is to bring the program back to where it once was. I believe I am part of something here with the group that we have and believe we have the right kind of people to turn this program around.


I am currently undecided as a major but will declare a business major at the end of this year. I have no clue what I want to do in the future but I’m enjoying my time at Hartwick. I am excited for this season because I believe we have a lot to prove to our league and I have a lot to prove individually this year. It’s going to be a great year.
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