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Wisconsin Badgers Legends React to Bo Ryan’s Hall of Fame Induction

Originally posted on Badger Notes | By Kedrick Stumbris | Last updated 4/9/24

Nearly a decade following his retirement, former Wisconsin Badgers basketball head coach Bo Ryan is headed to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. It has been a long time coming for the man who built the Badgers basketball program into what it is today.

Former Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Players Honor Hall of Famer Bo Ryan

Ryan finished his career by bringing Wisconsin to unimaginable heights. With two consecutive Final Four appearances, the Chester, Pennsylvania native cemented his legacy. Ryan and his all-time great Badgers players made those 2014 and 2015 seasons magical.

Sam Dekker was one of the most dynamic pieces of those Final Four runs. The two-time all-Big Ten honoree called his former coach “a legendary teacher of basketball and so much more.”

Honored to have made the speech!

Congratulations, Coach. A legendary teacher of basketball and so much more. #OnWisconsin ️ https://t.co/3NDJDencFS pic.twitter.com/droFgod8ul

— Sam Dekker (@dekker) April 6, 2024

Defensive stalwart Josh Gasser was seemingly created in a lab to play for Ryan in Madison. The 2010 Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year was a sharpshooter from three who earned three Big Ten All-Defensive Team selections.

Let’s go!!! Very proud to have played for Coach and thankful for all he’s done for me and my teammates. Well deserved, Coach! #PumpFake #ChestUp #TwoHandRebounds #DropItToTheFloor #PutYourFaceOnIt https://t.co/QDwdPfctYO

— Josh Gasser (@JPGasser21) April 6, 2024

Before Madison, Bo Ryan Changed Basketball in Wisconsin

Ryan made two stops in Wisconsin before getting to Madison. His first stop as an NCAA basketball head coach was at UW-Platteville. After spending eight seasons with the Badgers as an assistant under Bill Cofield and Steve Yoder, Ryan built a Division III powerhouse in Platteville. After winning four national championships in nine seasons with the Pioneers, Ryan got his call-up to Division I.

Congrats Coach!!! Former @UWPlattMBB head coach Bo Ryan is a @Hoophall inductee!!! #24HoopClass
Read more: https://t.co/xKh0q3IIT6 #uwp #d3hoops #platteville #uwplatteville #wiac pic.twitter.com/vxaOk51KWw

— UW-Platteville Athletics (@uwp_pioneers) April 6, 2024

Although he only spent two seasons in Milwaukee, Ryan reinvigorated a struggling UW-Milwaukee program. The Panthers made the jump to DI in 1990, and the initial bump in competition made finding sustained success tricky. It was not tricky for Ryan, however, who led the Panthers to back-to-back winning seasons.

Congratulations to Bo Ryan, head coach of the Panthers from 1999-2001, on his selection to the Class of 2024 in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame! pic.twitter.com/DF354qmumi

— Milwaukee Men's Basketball (@MKE_MBB) April 8, 2024

Friends, Staffers, Commentators, and the Chancellor Congratulate Bo Ryan

Congrats to Bo Ryan on a well-deserved call to the Naismith Hall of Fame!

Really rewarding experience being able to work around him for a Final Four run in my first year with the program.

Hard to believe this was 10 years ago already (oh man… the hair ) https://t.co/WRqwaYTWVn pic.twitter.com/xCTjrl1YTY

— Brandon Harrison (@brandonharrison) April 6, 2024

Congratulations and well deserved to Bo on being named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame! Long overdue.
Loved covering Bo and his teams over the years. https://t.co/oBseWDma7e

— Wayne Larrivee (@waynelarrivee) April 6, 2024

Grateful and proud to have been along for part of Coach Ryan’s journey.

As a UW alum and Badger fan… thanks Coach.

Your impact on @BadgerMBB and basketball in Wisconsin can’t be overstated. Congrats and welcome to @Hoophall royalty. https://t.co/tgvgDtiKz3

— Patrick Herb (@PatrickHerb) April 6, 2024