DOVER — Locally, and even statewide, Ryder Aubin has been known for his athletic ability on football and baseball fields — as well as for his academic prowess and his volunteer work in the Dover community.
Now he’s getting national recognition, too.
Aubin, a 2024 graduate of Dover High School, was one of 84 student-athletes from across the country selected by The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame to its annual Team of Distinction.
Criteria to make the team include, but are not limited to, academic achievement, athletic accolades and community involvement. Aubin had a 4.71 grade-point-average, was a two-year football captain and a Division I first-team all-state quarterback. He also coached T-ball, helped coach youth with the Seacoast Pirates baseball club, and helped run baseball and football camps for the Dover youth.
“It feels great, it’s good to see things come to fruition, especially over multiple years through high school football, and making sure I keep the grades up and give back to the community,” Aubin said. “At the end of the day, the community comes to support us every Friday night, and they deserve the same support when we can. It feels great to be a part of such elite company.”
Aubin volunteered in many events in the Dover community, but he definitely had a favorite.
“I loved doing coaching, so I did a lot of the youth clinics,” he said. “It was a way to give back to the kids. It’s very fun to get to interact with them, help them the best we can and have some fun while we’re at it.”
Ryder Aubin lone representative from New Hampshire
The team of 84 was selected from a pool of more than 3,500 student-athletes. Aubin was the lone selection from New Hampshire, and was nominated by the Joe Yukica Foundation of the New Hampshire Chapter of the National Football Foundation.
He was one of 12 Northeast Region selections. Other Northeastern Region selections came from Connecticut (four), New York (two), Massachusetts (two), Maine, Vermont and Rhode Island.
Where does this accomplishment rank for Aubin, who will continue his baseball career next year at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut?
“I think it has to be at the top just because it’s a culmination of many things,” Aubin said. “It’s not only sports, but the academic side, giving back to the community and doing everything right. It’s a result of hard work in many different aspects of my life. It has to go up there at the top for sure.”
Aubin won starting quarterback job as a junior
The multi-sport athlete won Dover High School’s starting quarterback position at the start of his junior season, threw for nearly 1,700 yards, and accounted for 24 touchdowns. He also threw a school-record five touchdown passes in a 49-42 overtime loss to Timberlane.
“Players like Ryder only come around once in a lifetime,” Dover head football coach Eric Cumba said. “He’s the complete package. He’s a natural leader who worked to make everyone around him a better person and player. He’s a great competitor that empowered and lifted up those around him. He did everything consistently at higher level than anyone, both on and off the field.”
During Aubin’s senior season, he threw for more than 1,400 yards, ran for nearly 600 yards and, again, totaled 24 touchdowns. Defensively, he had 15 tackles (three for loss) and one interception.
‘One of the finest young men I’ve known’
“Ryder Aubin is one of the finest young men I have had the pleasure to know during my 28 years in Dover,” said Peter Wotton, who recently retired as Dover High School athletic director. “Ryder is a fierce competitor, tremendous teammate and a born leader. Additionally, he’s always respectful and is so highly regarded by his classmates and adults alike.”
Aubin stressed the importance of maintaining good grades, and said taking his classes serious is something he always prioritized.
“I think (school and sports) lend themselves to each other,” Aubin said. “If you focus in the classroom and have a good day in the classroom, you’re going to walk out to practice and have a better day on the field. They definitely go hand in hand, but at the end of the day, academics come first, and giving back to the community and making sure you’re doing everything right off the field, that comes first.”
Aubin added, “I want to see success in the classroom, so I can give myself some success when I graduate,” he said. “It’s something that my parents instilled in me when I was young … I’ve always found it important and it’s paid off.”
More: Dover High School AD Peter Wotton retires after 28 years, says winning isn’t everything
Aubin will major in economics at Trinity.
“I’ve always liked math, and I definitely like money, so economics is the road for me,” Aubin said. “I knew not too long ago that I wanted to do economics. It was up in the air, I was thinking maybe something in the medical field, but at the end of the day, I settled with economics and I’m happy to be there.”