Known for his soft-spoken mannerism, Ryan Vierra will be remembered most for what he meant to the Stanislaus State student-athletes who were coached by him.
 
Vierra, a former professional athlete and the Warriors' Track & Field throws coach for more than a decade, passed away on Friday, Feb. 26, after battling cancer. He was 52.
 
"We were saddened to learn about the passing of Ryan. The Warrior Athletics family lost a valued coach, colleague, and friend," said Director of Athletics Terry Donovan. "He was well respected by peers and student-athletes for his commitment to his family and profession of coaching. He elevated our throws program to an elite level and helped build national recognition for the program. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family."

Between 2008 and 2019, the USA Track & Field level 1 coach placed 14 NCAA DII All-Americans, 36 USATFCCCA All-Regional athletes, 22 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Conference Champions and 33 All-CCAA athletes. The Warriors set 21 Stan State records under Vierra's guidance. In 2016, Vierra received a West Regional Assistant Throws Coach of the Year award from the coaches association.
 
"(Coach Vierra) shared his passion for throwing every day and in doing so he built an impeccable throws program at Stanislaus State," said All-American and Olympic Trials Qualifier Channing Wilson. "He demonstrated to everyone how to give life your all. Some of my life's fondest memories come from accomplishing goals that I wouldn't have even thought of setting, without him encouraging me to do so."

Among his most outstanding student-athletes include an Olympic Trials Qualifier, four USATF National Championship Qualifiers, and eight USATF Jr. National Qualifiers.
 
"Coach Vierra was the most passionate throws coach I've ever seen. There was no one who loved (the sport) more, or who was more obsessed with all of the nuances and minuscule parts of the throws and all the technique involved," said Gary Randolph, a three-time All-American. "He showed us how to love the process and art form that throwing is."
 
"The love and passion that (coach Vierra) had for the sport just radiated off him. We trained hard as a group, kept each other accountable and always produced respectable results," said two-time All-American Krystal Alnas. "I never could have accomplished the things that I did if it weren't for him. (Coach) was a strong male figure in my life and I will miss him terribly."
 
Vierra trained and mentored Warriors under three different Stan State head coaches. He began his work under Geoff Bradshaw prior to assisting Diljeet Taylor. Most recently Vierra was on current head coach Troy Johnson's staff, until he retired from coaching in 2019.
 
"Ryan Vierra was a coach asking his student-athletes to give him their best efforts all the time as he would give 110% to them. His passion for throws showed in his work ethic as he would make sure the facility was kept to a championship standard," Johnson commented. "He developed many student-athletes to achieve beyond what at times they believed their potential to be. I could count on Ryan to be punctual and work until all work was done for the success of the program."
 
Vierra was also a prominent figure as a professional Highland Games competitor. He was a five-time winner of the World Highland Games Championships. He was also an 11-time U.S. National Champion and with 254 US & International Competition victories. Vierra had set 346 Games records, four World records, 10 North American & American records and 6 World Championship records.

A Highland Games fundraising event in Vierra's honor has been established to support the Vierra family. The Ryan Vierra Throw Out Cancer Highland Classic is to be held on April 17 at the Turlock Sportsman's Club in Crows Landing.

Aside from how he impacted the lives of student-athletes, Vierra was also a great colleague and friend.
 
"I'll miss the conversations and history lessons he would give me about the Central Valley, his favorite eating spots (Cracker Barrel, Hodel's), time we spent at national championships, playing golf, and him telling me about his hunting trips," Johnson reminisces the times and conversations he shared with Vierra. "Ryan would also share with me his stories and travel abroad being a World Class Highland Game competitor. A person that wouldn't ask you no more than he would ask of himself he was truly a great throws coach who did outstanding work in the program. Rest in Heaven."
 
Ryan Vierra Memorial Services Information

• Viewing at Allen Mortuary, Wednesday, March 10, 3-4 p.m. (family), 4-6 p.m. (public)
• Rosary at Allen Mortuary, Wednesday, March 10, 6 p.m.
• Mass at Sacred Heart, Thursday, March 11, 10:30 a.m. with burial to follow at Hilmar Cemetery
• Reception TBD
• Ryan Vierra Throw Out Cancer Highland Classic, Saturday, April 17, 10 a.m., Turlock Sportsman's Club in Crows Landing

 

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Additional Comments from former Student-Athletes

Krystal Alnas:
"Ryan Vierra was was one of the most knowledgeable and driven coaches I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. The first time I met him I could tell how much throwing meant to him and how dedicated he was to his athletes. The love and passion that he had for the sport just radiated off of him and in that moment I knew that I found my home at Stan State. Having a coach like that fired me up and allowed me to push my limits even further than I thought possible because I not only wanted to do well for myself, I also wanted to make him proud. We trained hard as a group, kept each other accountable, and always produced respectable results. Everyone in our conference knew what to expect when a Warrior entered the ring. 

I never could have accomplished the things that I did if it weren't for him, and I will forever be grateful for that. He knew I would overthink a lot during competition and he would always tell me "It's just you out there Krystal, you're competing against yourself and you've trained hard for this" then he would just smile or nod and simply say "you're ready". 

Those words made such an impact on me and helped me become a confident athlete. 

Ryan Vierra was a strong male figure in my life and I will miss him terribly.

I'm proud to be his athlete."

Channing Wilson:
"Ryan Vierra was a loving father and husband, amazing coach and phenomenal athlete. He was so generous to spend his days out at the ring, helping others to improve themselves. He expected our best and gave even more in return. He shared his passion for throwing everyday and in doing so he built an impeccable throws program at Stanislaus State. He demonstrated to everyone how to to give life your all. Some of my life's fondest memories come from accomplishing goals that I wouldn't have even thought of setting, without him encouraging me to do so.  Thanks coach, for everything!"

Gary Randolph:
"Coach Vierra was the most passionate throws coach I've ever seen. There was no one who loved it more, or who was more obsessed with all the nuances and minuscule parts of the throws and all the technique involved. He showed me, and all the other athletes how to love the process and art form that throwing is. What he instilled in us I won't ever forget."