Ryan Day returns to NH to speak to students about mental health

Ohio State head football coach Ryan Day spoke to New Hampshire students Friday at the Palace Theatre about building strong mental health habits.Day spoke just hours after four of his players were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.Day and his wife, Nina Day, are both from Manchester. During the event, they reflected on their experiences at Manchester Central High School and how growing up in the Granite State shaped their lives.Ryan Day’s father died by suicide when he was eight years old. He discussed that experience and how it became a foundation for the culture within his football program.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go <<“When I was 8 years old, I lost my father to suicide. I didn’t have the vocabulary for it. I didn’t have the playbook for it. I didn’t know where to look. I didn’t know where to put the confusion or the anger,” Ryan Day said. “Life can and will literally take us to our knees at times. The question is whether or not we’re prepared when it does.”Ryan Day also spoke about his role as a coach and the importance of connecting with students.”The game of football is a fight, but so is life, and sometimes, the biggest fight is the one you can’t see,” he said.Nina Day focused on the importance of treating mental health concerns with the same urgency as physical health issues.”You go to the doctor when something feels off, and you have a plan. You know where to go. You know who to call,” she said. “When it comes to our mental health, many of us haven’t always been as attentive. Because of that, people often wait until things have gone too far.”Four students had the opportunity to ask Ryan Day questions on stage. Camden Daugherty, a student at Parkside Middle School and a Buckeyes fan, asked him how to balance school and sports.Ryan Day emphasized the importance of sleep, time management and prioritizing responsibilities.”It was really cool and interesting to have the opportunity to do it and be in the moment,” Daugherty said. “It was definitely a dream come true.”The night before, Ryan Day was in Pittsburgh for the first round of the NFL Draft, where four Ohio State players were selected within the first 11 picks.Wide receiver Carnell Tate was selected fourth overall to the Tennessee Titans, linebacker Arvell Reese was selected fifth overall to the New York Giants, linebacker Sonny Styles was taken with the seventh overall pick to the Washington Commanders, and safety Caleb Downs was picked eleventh overall to the Dallas Cowboys.Ryan Day said he traveled overnight to Manchester because returning home was important to him.”I think for Nina and I, we grew up in the same schools, the same hallways, the same gyms,” Day said. “We shared some of those stories and tried to get the conversation going with the kids. I thought it was a great day.”He added that everyone, regardless of status, deserves support.”Whether it’s Sonny Styles or somebody sitting in the last row today, everyone is the same,” Day said. “It’s our responsibility as coaches and people who have a platform to try to make a difference.”

Ohio State head football coach Ryan Day spoke to New Hampshire students Friday at the Palace Theatre about building strong mental health habits.

Day spoke just hours after four of his players were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Day and his wife, Nina Day, are both from Manchester. During the event, they reflected on their experiences at Manchester Central High School and how growing up in the Granite State shaped their lives.

Ryan Day’s father died by suicide when he was eight years old. He discussed that experience and how it became a foundation for the culture within his football program.

>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go <<

“When I was 8 years old, I lost my father to suicide. I didn’t have the vocabulary for it. I didn’t have the playbook for it. I didn’t know where to look. I didn’t know where to put the confusion or the anger,” Ryan Day said. “Life can and will literally take us to our knees at times. The question is whether or not we’re prepared when it does.”

Ryan Day also spoke about his role as a coach and the importance of connecting with students.

“The game of football is a fight, but so is life, and sometimes, the biggest fight is the one you can’t see,” he said.

Nina Day focused on the importance of treating mental health concerns with the same urgency as physical health issues.

“You go to the doctor when something feels off, and you have a plan. You know where to go. You know who to call,” she said. “When it comes to our mental health, many of us haven’t always been as attentive. Because of that, people often wait until things have gone too far.”

Four students had the opportunity to ask Ryan Day questions on stage. Camden Daugherty, a student at Parkside Middle School and a Buckeyes fan, asked him how to balance school and sports.

Ryan Day emphasized the importance of sleep, time management and prioritizing responsibilities.

“It was really cool and interesting to have the opportunity to do it and be in the moment,” Daugherty said. “It was definitely a dream come true.”

The night before, Ryan Day was in Pittsburgh for the first round of the NFL Draft, where four Ohio State players were selected within the first 11 picks.

Wide receiver Carnell Tate was selected fourth overall to the Tennessee Titans, linebacker Arvell Reese was selected fifth overall to the New York Giants, linebacker Sonny Styles was taken with the seventh overall pick to the Washington Commanders, and safety Caleb Downs was picked eleventh overall to the Dallas Cowboys.

Ryan Day said he traveled overnight to Manchester because returning home was important to him.

“I think for Nina and I, we grew up in the same schools, the same hallways, the same gyms,” Day said. “We shared some of those stories and tried to get the conversation going with the kids. I thought it was a great day.”

He added that everyone, regardless of status, deserves support.

“Whether it’s Sonny Styles or somebody sitting in the last row today, everyone is the same,” Day said. “It’s our responsibility as coaches and people who have a platform to try to make a difference.”