Exploring Passions and Creating Opportunities with Ryan Freidin ’24

Ryan Freidin ’24 (Duncan) grew up playing sports and watching his parents’ careers in the film industry. He admired their creative pursuits and experimented with film in high school but did not seriously consider it as a career path until he came to Rice. Rice's exceptional sports management program and outstanding professors helped him to envision how best to combine his interests in athletics and creativity. Ryan's educational journey is leading towards a blossoming career in sports videography and has opened doors for other students who have similar interests.

“When I came to Rice, I thought I was going to major in sport analytics. After I dipped my toes in the water and took a math class, I decided that it wasn’t for me,” Ryan explained. “But I wasn’t afraid to try something new — so I decided to major in sport management and integrate my love for film into the mix. After talking to some of my sport management professors here, I realized that I wanted to be a part of telling the stories of athletes through creative videography.”

Ryan’s sport management professors were more than enthusiastic about his newfound passion, connecting him with leaders in the sports industry. With their support, he earned prestigious internships that provided invaluable insight and experience. In the spring of 2023, he was hired by the NCAA to be a videographer for the men’s basketball Final Four. This past summer, he worked as a creative producing intern with the NFL.

“At Rice, my professors gave me the mentorship I needed to harness my creative videography skills, curate my portfolio and get life-changing internships,” Ryan said. “Being able to tell the real stories of athletes and teams is what’s the most fulfilling to me — and the experiences I had in both roles validated my passion for storytelling through video.”

As he reflects on his student journey, Ryan is grateful to donors for the resources and support that have made his education personal and impactful. “I wouldn’t be at Rice if I hadn’t received a scholarship, so I want to thank donors for their support. Financial aid gave me access to opportunities — I’ve been able to network with people in the industry, get hands-on experience through my internships and even start my own internship program with Rice Athletics called South Main Creatives. My goal is to bring Rice creatives together who have a passion for sports and can share knowledge and resources. I want to leave a legacy at Rice.”

Your support of the Rice Annual Fund helps students like Ryan think big and take advantage of incredible opportunities that will prepare them for inventive and fulfilling careers. Your generosity continues to offer Ryan and other Owls the best in financial aid, residential college life, student activities, teaching and research. Learn more about how your gift to the Rice Annual Fund can make an impact.