JOPLIN, Mo. - Ryan Cline was promoted to Assistant AD for External Engagement, Missouri Southern Director of Athletics Rob Mallory announced Thursday.

"We are thrilled to welcome Ryan back to his alma mater in this new role," Mallory said of Cline. "In reimagining this position within our department, we recognized that we must do a better job of engaging with the local business community and creating strong partnerships that benefit our athletic programs. I am confident there is no one better suited to do that than Ryan."

In this elevated role, Cline is focused on engaging relationships in the Joplin community and supporting MSSU student-athletes as they become strong, empowered members of society.

"I am thankful to serve the University, athletics program, and community that shaped me into the person I am today," Cline said of the position. 

Cline most recently served as MSSU's Director of Event and Ticket Operations where he oversaw all game day management and ticket operations for home athletic events hosted at Missouri Southern.

The Aurora, Missouri, native, was a four-year member of the Lions' baseball team prior to joining the MSSU Athletics Department. He was a member of two regional hosted tournaments and helped MSSU capture the 2024 MIAA Championship.

As a student-athlete, Cline worked for the Missouri Southern Development Office and was the SAAC (Student Athletic Advisory Committee) Representative for baseball.

In the classroom, Cline earned MIAA Academic Honor Roll honors. 

He graduated from Missouri Southern in 2024 with bachelor's in both business management and human resource management. Cline also completed a minor in International Business.