Q&A with ’77 alumnus Fred Ryan

Fred Ryan graduated from USC in 1977 with a bachelor’s of arts in speech communication and political science, and again in 1980 with a juris doctor from the Gould School of Law. Immediately after receiving his juris doctor, Ryan worked for Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign and later served as his assistant and chief of staff after Reagan left office.

Air Force One · While Ronald Reagan was president, Fred Ryan served as director of scheduling and then assistant to the president. After leaving office, Reagan chose Ryan as his chief of staff until 1995. - Photo courtesy of Fred Ryan

Ryan is currently president and chief operating officer of POLITICO and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. Ryan and Lynn Swann, a USC alumnus and Super Bowl champion, will perform the Reagan Centennial Coin Toss at Saturday’s game in honor of what would be Reagan’s 100th birthday.

Daily Trojan: When did you first get involved in politics?

Fred Ryan: I first got involved in politics as a law student at USC. It was during my time as a law student that I first met Ronald Reagan. After I graduated, I decided to work on Reagan’s campaign and after he was elected, I became an assistant to the president.

DT: What was it like working in the White House?

Ryan: It was an incredible experience. I was only 26 years old. Although he was the oldest president, he had the youngest staff. It was an unbelievable opportunity and I learned a lot from [Reagan]. He was a genuine and likeable person and always optimistic.

DT: What was your most memorable moment while working at the White House?

Ryan: Reagan loved sports. He would always throw out the first pitch to start the MLB season. He would insist on throwing from the mound rather than moving up a little like most presidents do. He would always warm up in the tunnel before the pitch and I was the one who got to warm him up. He would get the ball right over the plates each time.

DT: What clubs were you involved with on campus?

Ryan: I was a Trojan Knight and a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. When I was a Trojan Knight we buried Traveler when he died.

DT: What is Reagan’s connection with USC?

Ryan: He was the first president to recognize a female sports team at the White House. When the Women of Troy won the national championship, he invited the team to the White House. When he left office and came back to Los Angeles, the USC Band was on the tarmac to greet him. The first speech Reagan gave out of office was at USC. Disney wanted him to appear in a commercial right after he left the White House saying, I am going to Disneyland, just like football teams do after they win the Superbowl, but he refused. He told the story at USC and said, “First thing I am going to do is go to USC.”