Jan. 21, 2010
Contact: Eric Burdick, Athletics Information
805-756-6531
Perserverance, Positive Attitude Earn
Walk-On Darling Headlines and Starting Center Spot
Photo: Cal Poly Athletics
SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Business senior Ryan Darling, a 6-foot-8, 215-pound forward from Tehachapi, went from walk-on to starting center this week on the Mustang Men's Basketball Team, and wound up front and center on Central Coast newspaper sports sections.
Darling has been with the team as a walk-on and served a season as team manager since coming to Cal Poly as a freshman. New basketball coach Joe Callero saw his potential in practice and put him on the court this year -- with good results. Darling got the first start of his career in a 90-79 win Jan. 17 at Long Beach State.
Darling also had his first double-double in a 72-69 home win over UC Davis a week earlier. Darling scored 10 points and 12 rebounds.
The San Luis Obispo Tribune is spotlighted Darling's positive attitude and steady improvement in a feature Jan. 21, calling him a "Walk On Wonder."
“Really what is there to ever be sad or pessimistic about,” Darling told the Tribune. “I go to an amazing school. I’m surrounded by my family that I love, and my teammates are like my family. I’m playing basketball, something I love to do. If you could say you could be anywhere else, be Brad Pitt for a day, I would choose to be here playing basketball at Cal Poly.”
Read the whole feature on Darling in the SLO Tribune
Read stories about the current Men's Basketball Team at www.GoPoly.com