Jack Ryder

John A. Ryder (died 1953) was an American track and field coach for the Boston Athletic Association and Boston College. He was also an assistant coach for the 1928 USA Olympic track and field team.

Running A native of Boston's Dorchester neighborhood, Ryder was the son of a lamplighter and first became interested in running when he filled in on his father's route.

Outside of track, Ryder spent 17 years as an immigration inspector. Other runners Ryder coached at the BAA included David Caldwell, Thomas Halpin, Bill Meanix, Harold Cutbill, Lloyd Hahn, and Gil Dodds. In his first season, BC were the Eastern Collegiate champions and won the Class C one mile at the Penn Relays. In 1921 and 1922, won the Class B mile at the Penn Relays and beat Georgetown, Fordham, and Notre Dame to win the Catholic College Championship. In 1923, BC's Jake Driscoll set the world record in the men's indoor 600 yards. Another Eagle, George Lermond, won the three-mile event at the Millrose Games as a junior and competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics. BC won the two-mile at the Penn Relays in 1924, 1927, and 1932. BC's two-mile relay team was undefeated in 1927. BC shot putter Dimitri Zaitz competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.

Ryder helped coach the United States track and field team at the 1928 Summer Olympics. In 1935, he was one of 14 college coaches that signed a letter calling for an American boycott of the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.

Ryder also trained female athletes, including Esther Spargo and Virginia Lennon.

Death Ryder retired in 1952 due to poor health.