The Illinois and Wisconsin communities connected to Ryan J. Scanlon are mourning the reported death of the former Carthage College baseball standout, who died at the age of 24.
Current obituary reporting states that Scanlon, of Gurnee, Illinois, died on September 25, 2026.
His passing has drawn attention across the communities that shaped his life, including Warren Township High School in Illinois and Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he developed into one of the most accomplished pitchers in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.
While his death has now been reported publicly, the family has not publicly disclosed a specific cause of death.
Who Was Ryan Scanlon?
Ryan J. Scanlon was a talented left-handed pitcher from Gurnee, Illinois, who built a distinguished baseball career at both the high-school and college levels.
Carthage College athletics records identify Scanlon as a graduate of Warren Township High School who joined the Firebirds baseball program and progressed from freshman pitcher to graduate student-athlete.
His years at Carthage culminated in a standout final season that brought him conference and regional recognition.
Away from baseball, current obituary reporting describes Ryan as a son, brother, partner, friend and young professional whose relationships were central to his life.
Ryan Scanlon Dies at 24
Current reporting states that Ryan Scanlon died on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the age of 24.
He was reportedly born on June 14, 2002, and was a longtime resident of Gurnee.
The report describes his death as peaceful but does not provide a medical explanation or disclose the circumstances surrounding his passing.
Because the family has not publicly released a specific cause of death, any speculation about illness, accident or another circumstance should be avoided.
Ryan Scanlon Cause of Death
A specific cause of Ryan Scanlon’s death has not been publicly disclosed.
Current obituary reporting confirms his passing but does not identify an illness, medical emergency, accident or other cause.
For that reason, publications should avoid assigning a cause of death unless Scanlon’s family or an authorized source releases additional information.
The most accurate wording remains that Ryan died on September 25, 2026, with the cause of death not publicly stated.
From Warren Township to Carthage College
Ryan’s baseball career began well before his success at the collegiate level.
Carthage College consistently listed him as a Gurnee, Illinois, native and Warren Township High School graduate throughout his college career.
His progression through the Firebirds program reflected years of development and persistence.
By the 2025 season, Scanlon had become one of the leading pitchers in the CCIW.
Ryan Scanlon Named CCIW Pitcher of the Year
Scanlon’s 2025 season became the defining athletic achievement of his college career.
The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin named him its 2025 Pitcher of the Year.
Conference records show that Scanlon posted a 6-1 record with a 3.70 ERA across 56 innings during the regular-season award period.
He also struck out 62 batters and earned First Team All-CCIW recognition.
The award placed Scanlon among the top NCAA Division III pitchers in the conference.
Standout Performance in the CCIW Tournament
Scanlon also delivered one of the strongest performances of his collegiate career during the 2025 CCIW Tournament.
In an elimination game against Millikin University on May 8, he threw a complete-game shutout, allowing only five hits while striking out 11 batters as Carthage won 9-0.
The performance demonstrated the control and competitiveness that had made him one of Carthage’s most dependable pitchers.
For teammates and supporters of the Firebirds program, outings like that became an important part of how Scanlon’s playing career is remembered.
Ryan Scanlon Earned All-Region Recognition
Scanlon’s success extended beyond conference honors.
In May 2025, the American Baseball Coaches Association recognized him on the ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division III All-Region Second Team.
The honor placed him among the leading collegiate baseball players in the region and followed his CCIW Pitcher of the Year selection.
He was also included among CCIW athletes receiving Academic All-District recognition, reflecting achievements extending beyond his performance on the mound.
Academic Life at Carthage College
Current obituary reporting states that Scanlon completed undergraduate studies at Carthage and later earned a master’s degree in Sports Management.
A professional profile also documents his completion of a Master of Science in Business – Sports Management at Carthage College and his involvement in international business consulting projects as part of the program.
That academic path allowed him to connect his interest in sports with a developing professional career.
Career After College
According to current obituary reporting, Ryan had begun working for Champro, a sporting-goods company, following his studies.
His professional profile likewise lists a connection with Champro and Carthage College.
For someone whose life had long revolved around athletics, a career in the sports industry represented a natural continuation of those interests after college baseball.
Remembered by His Family
Current obituary reporting identifies Ryan as the son of Suzanne and Matt Scanlon and the brother of Ashley Scanlon.
It also identifies his longtime girlfriend as Hannah Poff, whom he reportedly met during his first week at Carthage College.
The same report describes him as deeply devoted to those closest to him and remembered for warmth, humor and loyalty.
Because the underlying funeral-home obituary was not independently accessible during this review, these family details should be attributed to the published obituary report rather than presented as separately verified records.
Illinois and Wisconsin Communities Remember Ryan Scanlon
Ryan’s life connected communities on both sides of the Illinois-Wisconsin border.
In Gurnee, he was associated with Warren Township High School and local baseball.
In Kenosha, he became a recognizable member of the Carthage College baseball program.
His success on the mound brought him recognition across the CCIW, which includes universities throughout Illinois and Wisconsin.
Those connections explain why news of his death has resonated across multiple school and sports communities.
Funeral and Visitation Arrangements
Current obituary reporting states that visitation is scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Gurnee.
A funeral Mass is reportedly planned for Saturday, October 3, at 9:30 a.m., with burial afterward at Ascension Catholic Cemetery in Libertyville.
McMurrough Funeral Chapel is reported to be handling the arrangements.
Anyone planning to attend should verify those details directly with the funeral provider or family in case arrangements change.
A Baseball Career Defined by Persistence
Ryan Scanlon’s collegiate career was not defined by a single season.
Carthage rosters document his progression through several years with the Firebirds, from freshman status in 2021 through his graduate season in 2025.
That long development ultimately resulted in conference pitcher-of-the-year honors and regional recognition.
His career provides a documented record of persistence, improvement and competitive achievement.
Remembering Ryan J. Scanlon
Ryan Scanlon’s death at only 24 represents a sudden loss for his family, friends, former classmates, teammates and colleagues.
For the Carthage baseball community, he leaves behind a record that includes one of the program’s most significant recent individual honors.
For those closest to him, however, his legacy will extend beyond statistics, awards and baseball.
He will be remembered through the relationships he formed, the experiences he shared and the people who knew him away from the mound.
As additional information becomes available, family and school tributes may provide an even fuller picture of the life of Ryan J. Scanlon.