Ryan Cooney was born and raised in the Portland area and was a baseball standout at Jesuit High School. And the current 6-foot, 195-pound UO infielder wouldn’t have it any other way
He also comes from a proud lineage of Ducks. His mother, Renee, ran track in Eugene, and his father, Steve, also attended the university. So did his brother, Ian. Thus, when it came time to choose colleges, there was really only one choice for Cooney. He always wanted to wear green.
“It’s been a great experience going to school here yet being a kid from Oregon representing the Ducks,” he says. “I didn’t know what it would look like, but I always wanted to come here. It happened to be baseball, but I would’ve been fine just being a student. Regardless, it’s been written in the stars for me since I was a young kid.”
In fact, baseball wasn’t his first sport of choice. But when he did choose that game, he’s had no regrets ever since.
“My dad played soccer, so I was more into that game at first,” Cooney says. “But once I got into high school, baseball became something I really enjoyed because I found out just how good I was playing it. The failure aspect is special and not something I experienced in other sports. You’re able to fail so often, but the pathway to get better is something I really enjoy and drives me to play the game.”
That drive can certainly be found in his accomplishments on the field. As a sophomore last season, Cooney led the team with a .335 batting average and was named first team All-Big Ten Conference. He says he tries to stay patient at the plate before swinging the bat.
“I try to keep it very simple,” he says. “I give myself the positive self-talk of how I’m the guy that’s supposed to be at the plate, and I’ve earned this opportunity. When I see a pitch I like, my eyes light up and I’ve seen it before a thousand times in practice. After that, I just go for it.”
Cooney also has tremendous speed, as proven last year with his 15 stolen bases on 18 attempts. But he believes that stealing a bag is more about strategy than quickness. “It’s all about what the situation calls for,” Cooney explains. “The coaches give us a good plan and how to attack a defense. If the situation is right, I know I have some good speed and I can create an opportunity for my team by taking off.”
His biggest achievements, however, are probably not on the diamond. Cooney has been an Academic All-American and has even made the dean’s list. The business major says that academic spirit is something that also runs in the family.
“My mom was always big on education,” he says. “She really wanted me to go to college someplace. That’s why focusing on my education is very important. I’ve worked hard so far and I’m going to make sure I get my degree no matter what happens with the sport. I need to make sure I’m set up for life after baseball.”
A lifelong fan of the San Francisco Giants, Cooney hopes that his life after the sport is later than sooner. He’d certainly love to play in the big leagues after college. In the meantime, his focus is on the 2026 campaign. Last year, his Ducks won the Big Ten title and looked poised for greater things. Unfortunately, their dreams were cut short in the playoffs, and that left a bitter taste.
“We’re very proud of what we accomplished as a team last season,” Cooney says. “The Big Ten is a fantastic conference and we’re glad we won it. But as happy as we were to host a regional tournament, it wasn’t about just that. It was about getting to Omaha and competing for a national championship.”
Therefore, the sights are set on going to a College World Series this year.
Nonetheless, he’s definitely excited about what’s in store for his Ducks going forward. The team is loaded with plenty of returning players from a year ago and talented younger athletes coming in. In other words, there’s plenty of reasons for optimism as he goes into his junior season.
“It’s going to be a little different than last year,” Cooney says. “There are some good guys coming back, but there are also new guys who are really good and very competitive. I’m very excited for what it’s going to look like for some of our newer fans or people who have watched Oregon baseball for years.”
All the while, he’ll try to enjoy the Eugene area as much as he can. Ever since his parents brought him down to Duck events as a kid, he’s always enjoyed this city and what it has to offer.
