Til the Battle is Won: The Dyers’ Journey to Lexington and a Life-Changing Meeting with Mark Pope
Every summer, families from all over the country descend upon Lexington for a beloved Kentucky basketball tradition—the annual Father-Son Camp hosted by the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team. For many, it’s a weekend of drills, games, and a chance to bond on the hardwood. But for one family, the Dyers from Atlanta, this year’s camp was far more than just a basketball getaway. It was a journey of purpose, perseverance, and the quiet power of showing up, no matter the odds.
Ryan Dyer and his young son Bryce arrived at camp not just with sneakers and enthusiasm, but with a story—and a mission. For them, this was about more than hoops. It was about life, resilience, and creating memories that matter. It was about honoring a journey marked by courage and gratitude.
“He’s the toughest kid I know,” Ryan Dyer said of his son Bryce. “Him, my daughter, and my wife. Every day I want to wake up and make him proud. I’ve learned to battle.”
The Dyers’ appearance at the Father-Son Camp quickly stood out—not because of flashy crossovers or buzzer-beating shots, but because of the heart they brought to every moment. In a world where struggle is often hidden behind smiles, the Dyers chose to share theirs openly, believing their story might help someone else keep going.
Our reporter Hannah Hamelback met the family during a short break in the action. That’s when Bryce, his face beaming with quiet determination, shared words that left a lasting impression:
“Always have a good attitude, and God made me for a reason.”
It’s the kind of sentence that stops you in your tracks—not because of its poetry, but because of the clarity and conviction behind it. Bryce, like his father, has faced battles that most kids his age couldn’t begin to imagine. Yet here he was, in a gym full of laughter and competition, grounded in faith, full of joy, and living fully in the moment.
But the weekend held an even bigger surprise.
During a lunch break at camp, Ryan and Bryce Dyer were given an opportunity few could imagine—they sat down with Kentucky head coach Mark Pope to record an episode of their podcast, “Worth It.” The show, created by the Dyer family, is centered on real conversations about overcoming, healing, and remembering what truly matters. Pope, now in his second year as Kentucky’s head coach and already capturing the hearts of Big Blue Nation, welcomed the chance to join the Dyers in that space.
The episode, set to be released in the coming weeks, promises to be more than just another coaching Q&A. It’s a conversation rooted in shared values—faith, family, perseverance—and it represents the very best of what sports can do: connect people in meaningful ways.
Coach Pope, himself no stranger to adversity or transformation, has been vocal about creating a culture that reaches beyond wins and losses. His willingness to sit down with the Dyers is another reflection of his commitment to making Kentucky basketball a family in more than just name.
The Dyers’ trip to Lexington may have started with a basketball camp, but it ended with a message—a reminder that strength is quiet, purpose is powerful, and even in the toughest moments, connection and love win out.
For Ryan and Bryce, the experience was exactly what they hoped it would be: worth it.
Their journey is ongoing, their podcast continues to grow, and their impact—both on and off the court—is undeniable. And for those lucky enough to witness their story unfold that weekend in Lexington, it was clear: this father-son duo came not just to play, but to inspire.
As the Kentucky basketball community looks ahead to the future under Coach Pope, it does so with families like the Dyers in its corner—fighting battles, lifting others, and reminding us all of what it really means to win.
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