I didn't personally know Ryan while at Notre Dame, but I think many of us felt like we did because of the numerous stories of his achievements in NCAA running that would abound in The Observer. To learn that he was, until last year, the most decorated athlete in ND history was amazing. I ran the BIX in 2004 and remember seeing his face and thinking "Oh cool! That's Ryan Shay!" and I pointed him out to my husband and friends, explaining who he was and what he had done while at ND.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. God bless you.