Growing up in Japan, Ryutaro Ichihara’s life revolved around soccer.
His passion for sports led him to Cal State Fullerton’s kinesiology program, where he discovered something he loved even more than soccer — research.
At CSUF, Ryutaro collaborated with faculty experts to conduct research on the authenticity of sports in Western culture and how individuals with cerebral palsy experience physical activity.
The two-time CSUF alumnus presented his findings at multiple academic conferences, was named the university’s 2024 Outstanding Graduate Student, and found his purpose in teaching sports philosophy.
Ryutaro plans to pursue a career as a professor of sports philosophy, aspiring to provide his students the same high-quality support he received from faculty in CSUF’s College of Health and Human Development.