When he was 1, Caleb Ryden would try to catch footballs tossed by his father from across the living room.
By age 5, he was playing organized football; soon, he was serving as Canyon del Oroβs High School ball boy.
Now, the 19-year-old is entering his second and last season at Pima College β where his father, Pat, is the defensive coordinator. The father-son dynamic is another subplot during Pima Collegeβs final season as a program. The Aztecs open their season Saturday at Eastern Arizona College in the last opening night in program history. Pimaβs Governing Board decided to cut football, part of a statewide trend that began when Maricopa County made a similar decision for the four football programs in its district.
Caleb Ryden will compete for time at quarterback. He played in one game last season, throwing for 77 yards.
Caleb Ryden is the oldest of Pat Rydenβs three children, and the only one to gravitate to football. His younger sister Hannah grew up swimming but didnβt seriously pursue the sport as she grew older. Younger brother Adam has never played any sports, and doesnβt care for football. Caleb starred at Mountain View High School before signing with the Aztecs as a senior.
βHaving one son thatβs very, very passionate and having one son thatβs not β that doesnβt like football at all β Iβm OK with that,β he said. βHonestly, Iβve never pushed Caleb into football.β
But being able to share the love of football with his oldest has definitely created a bond they wouldnβt trade for anything. Pat Ryden joined Pimaβs staff in 2009 after two seasons as Rincon/Universityβs head coach and more than a decade as an assistant throughout town.
βItβs pretty cool,β Caleb Ryden said. βEvery day, after practice, we talk about practice and what I can improve on. Even here, heβll tell me little things to keep me motivated.β
The decision to cut football affects Pat Ryden more than his son. Calebβs eligibility is set to expire at the end of the 2018 season, meaning he wouldnβt be back for 2019 anyway. Still, both Rydens say the choice is an emotional one.
βAs far as our program, itβs kind of bittersweet, I think,β Pat Ryden said. βWeβre going to have a lot of kids lose opportunities. There are a lot of kids out here that, if they werenβt out here, who knows what theyβd be doing.β
As far as Caleb? βThis would have been his last year here, anyhow,β Pat Ryden said. βIβm hoping that, wherever he ends up, Iβll get to watch him play.β
Football has bonded the father and son for decades. Both are Arizona State football fans who drive to Sun Devil Stadium annually for big games.
βThatβs kind of our thing,β Pat Ryden said.
This year is no different. He and Caleb will be in the stands for the Sept. 8 game between ASU and Michigan State. (They can thank the bye week in Pimaβs schedule.)
βItβs pretty cool because we bond pretty well β I think weβre pretty similar,β Caleb Ryden said. βWeβve been going to those games since I was a baby. Itβs one of those things we do thatβs just our thing.β
Caleb Ryden dreams of playing for the Sun Devils but concedes that heβs just looking for a four-year opportunity. He admits that moving outside of Tucson would be a culture shock. Caleb Ryden said heβs been lucky to stay in one city for both high school and junior college, and is grateful for the support of his parents.
Heβs especially appreciative for football, which has provided opportunities on and off the field β and a chance to stay close with his dad.
βItβs given me everything,β Caleb Ryden said. βMy whole life has been based on football. Thatβs the whole reason Iβm even here, getting free school.β