One of only three UW-Stout gymnasts to compete at NCAA Division I national meets, Ryan Sweeney was a still rings specialist who scored five first place finishes at NAIA invitational meets and two second place finishes in a career that ran from 1979-83.

Following an injury-shortened 1982 season that saw rotator cuff surgery, Sweeney bounced back the following season to be named the NAIA National Outstanding Gymnast and placed second at the NCAA Division II national championships, qualifying to the Division I meet.

Upon graduation in 1983, Sweeney worked as an engineer in the western United States and retired from Intel Corporation in 1999 to spend more time with his family. He resides with his family in Chaska, Minn.