CBC Alumni Story

Ryan Orr, recent CBC graduate, is now the Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Los Angeles Angels organization.

My Goals

When I started my freshman year at CBC, I had two goals by the time that I left: to play professional baseball and to become a physical therapist after I was done playing.

Interrupted Plans

Shortly after getting on campus, I tore the labrum in my right arm- my throwing arm. After 6 months of rehab, it only felt like it was getting worse, so I had surgery and started the rehab process all over again. After this, I decided that I didn’t want to be a physical therapist anymore. I felt like I could help athletes before they got injured and I would do this from inside the weight room. Luckily, I had already declared myself a Kinesiology major, so I was already on the right course.

Challenged in Academics & Athletics

Through my academic and athletic experiences at CBC, all my coaches pushed me on both ends. I was finally beginning to learn training methods and the physiology behind them. My last year at CBC, Coach Buczek, the pitching coach at the time, asked me and another upper classman to help him program the warm ups and some of the workouts for the pitching staff that fall. He also put us (partially) in charge of running the program. This independence and responsibility gave me some experience and confidence in my ability before I left campus.

My Career Start

After our season ended, I started an internship at Michael Johnson Performance, a strength and conditioning facility in McKinney, TX. My experience at MJP and playing at CBC are two of the reasons I was given an opportunity to become an intern with the University of Arkansas men’s basketball team in their strength and conditioning department while pursing my masters there. Eventually, with hard work, I was given the title volunteer assistant strength coach with basketball and put in charge of interns that were starting with the basketball program.

A Great Opportunity

After my boss left to take a job with the Philadelphia 76ers, Coach Mike Anderson believed in me enough to name me the interim head strength and conditioning coach for Razorback basketball while they found a replacement. Upon the hiring of a new head strength coach, I was given the title of assistant strength and conditioning coach. Finally, a paying job after 16 months of free labor, even if it was only a small stipend.

Professional Baseball

A few months later, I was chosen for an open position with the Los Angeles Angels as a strength and conditioning coach in their minor league system. I was placed in High A at our California League affiliate, the Inland Empire 66ers… not a bad first full-time job and definitely not a bad place to start in pro ball. Coach Brister, Coach Lee, and all of CBC have played a part in my career. Lessons learned on the baseball field will forever be carried with me. The high expectations given for my work ethic, attitude, character, and performance have helped me know that I can make it through any circumstance that I’m faced with in my career and meet any expectation.

His Plans Are Greater Than Mine

Being a college athlete has helped me gain the respect of my bosses, co-workers, and most importantly, my players. Understanding the game, as well as the players knowing that I understand “the grind”, goes a long way. I do not know what God’s plan is for the next step in my career, but I know that His plans are always greater than mine. CBC Baseball will always be a huge part of my career at any point, now and in the future.

Written by, Ryan Orr, Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Los Angeles Angels

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