Finding the Right Balance
Oct 24, 2003 | Football
By Adam Wiederholt
Sports Information Student Assistant
The life of a Kansas State Wildcat is filled with challenges both on the field and off. These challenges have to be met head-on with a lot of hard work and determination to be successful in all aspects of their college career. No one Wildcat can better display this skill as much as senior offensive lineman Ryan Lilja.
Lilja, who hails from Lake Quivira, Kan., knows the definition of "hard work." Throughout his career, he has proven himself to be a tough and determined person, which is one of the main reasons he is now playing football for one of the top college football programs in the nation.
Although following the sport at an early age, Lilja did not start playing football until his seventh grade year.
"I was actually into Tae Kwon Do and I played soccer," he said. "I was bigger than my friends who played football, so they tried to get me to play. My dad talked me into it. I wasn’t really that excited, but I was good at it."
After successful years at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, where he boasted multiple honors on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, Lilja ventured to Coffeyville Community College to continue his football career.
His days at the junior college were a learning experience, and helped him prepare for football at the next level.
"We played against guys in that league (Jayhawk Conference) who are coming to the Big 12 and the SEC all the time," he said. "I actually blocked (former Wildcat) Tank Reese when he was at Hutchinson Community College.
“Just facing guys like that, helped me prepare for Division I football."
Lilja started and lettered at Coffeyville for two seasons, and was named the Red Ravens’ outstanding offensive lineman his sophomore year. He was also named to the All-Jayhawk Conference Second Team, while playing both guard and tackle under head coach Jeff Leiker.
An impressive two years at the JC level caught the eye of many Division I programs, including Kansas State. Having grown up in Kansas, Lilja followed K-State football from his childhood days.
"I’ve always been a fan," he said. "This is a place I’ve always wanted to go to. And, it’s one of the few places in the whole country that I would have come to. Coach Snyder gave me a chance, and I took it. Being part of a team that’s in the top of the Big 12 and is successful was obviously very important to me."
Lilja joined Kansas State’s program the spring before his junior year, and immediately made a connection. Lilja, who was recruited as an offensive lineman, stepped into the roll as a backup for All-American center Nick Leckey. Being new to the program, Lilja watched Leckey all through spring football, and tried to learn as much as he could from him.
"I was new, and he helped me out a lot," Lilja said. "I knew I wasn’t going to get to play a lot, so I watched what he did. He taught me all of the stuff that the coaches don’t really know, because they aren’t on the field."
The 2002 season opener, Lilja’s first game at Kansas State, could be summed up into one word for the new Wildcat, "Electric."
For the Kansas native, the feeling of walking down the ramp onto Wagner Field, was nothing he had ever felt before.
"It was the most adrenaline that has been pumped through my body for sure," he said. "Going into the game, I didn’t think I was going to get a lot of playing time, but just walking down there and seeing all the purple was amazing. At the time, that was everything."
For the remainder of 2002, Lilja continued to backup Leckey and the rest of the offensive linemen. He played in nine games and was a second team Academic All-Big 12 selection.
After the year was over, Lilja started to realize his new role for the Wildcats.
"Last year, I looked up to all those guys on the offensive line," he said. "After the season though, right after the bowl game, I got the mentality that it was my spot to lose. I was psyched. Knowing that I would get to block for guys like Ell (Roberson) and Darren (Sproles), made me work harder. You’re going to be in the spotlight, when you’ve got guys like that behind you."
Throughout his career, Lilja never focused his attention just on football. With a 3.604 grade-point average in business finance, it’s obvious that academics are just as important as the gridiron. The secret for this Wildcat is a well-balanced schedule between athletics and academics.
"I just work hard," he explained. "You can’t put school on the back burner. That’s why you’re here. You have to know that you’re a student-athlete, and the "student" part is first.
"I’m here because of football, but I’d be going to school regardless. I just have to keep focused on school."
Although he will be finishing up his football career this fall with the Wildcats, Lilja plans on remaining at Kansas State to finish up his degree by the spring of 2005. After that, he is toying with the idea of obtaining his MBA and maybe even attending law school.
When asked who inspired him to work so hard for everything, Lilja confidently answered, "my mom."
"After my dad died, it was my mom, myself, and my two brothers," he continued. "She went to nursing school, and took care of us while we were in high school, all by herself. To see how focused she was and dedicated, inspired me to just work harder at whatever I did."
Lilja continues to be a vital asset to K-State both on and off the field. Through his strength, determination and inspiration, this Wildcat truly knows the definition of "hard work."
