Ryson Kirkland joins Columbia as a first-year graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in business administration. Prior to joining Lindsey Wilson University, he graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in communication and geography.
During his time at UC Santa Barbara, Kirkland worked for three years in the Sports Information Department. In 2025-26, he served as the Student Sports Information Director, where he was the primary point of contact for coaches, student-athletes and other athletic departments. Throughout his tenure in Santa Barbara, Kirkland provided coverage for basketball, soccer, water polo, swimming and baseball.
Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Kirkland has spent his entire life around athletics in a variety of capacities, from volunteering with local recreational leagues to working for three years in a Division I athletic department.
With Blue Raider Athletics, Kirkland will support digital content, social media and game-day coverage. His responsibilities include writing game previews and recaps, maintaining the athletics website, assisting with statistics and contributing to broadcasts, photography and video production.
