From the Baseball Field to the Big Leagues of Sneaker Art: Ryan Stevens’s Journey

When the crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd echoed at FNB Field on City Island, Ryan Stevens was a reliable force for the Central Penn College Knights baseball team. This lanky 23-year-old was known for his calm demeanor and athletic prowess. Today, Ryan’s field of expertise is entirely different but equally impressive: custom sneaker artistry.

Now the creative force behind NxtLvl Customs, Stevens has elevated his craft to major-league status—literally. Philadelphia Phillies players, among others, proudly sport his custom cleats, showcasing his designs on the field in front of packed stadiums. His lore has spread to professional basketball players and even international athletes, making NxtLvl Customs a name to remember.

Taking a Step into the Spotlight

Stevens’s big break came with a touch of viral magic. In his first significant delivery, he personally presented a pair of custom cleats to Phillies pitcher Bailey Falter during spring training. TikTok and Instagram lit up with videos of the exchange, garnering over 200,000 views. Shortly after, NBC Sports highlighted Stevens’s Easter-themed cleats for Falter, complete with Peeps and a bunny-eared Phillie Phanatic. That shout-out caused a wave of calls, texts, and orders—and launched Stevens’s career into the stratosphere.

“I’ve now painted cleats for over 15 Major League Baseball players,” Stevens said with characteristic modesty. His roster includes athletes from the Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, and beyond. He’s even branched out into basketball, collaborating with Franklin the Dog, the 76ers mascot, on a project that included sneakers for both Franklin and star player Tyrese Maxey.

Triple A: Academics, Athletics, and Art

Stevens’s journey combines his passions for business, baseball, and art. His time at Central Penn College provided him with the foundational skills needed to succeed. Through hands-on coursework in business administration, he learned how to manage finances, market his brand, and build a client base. These lessons proved invaluable as he turned his artistic talents into a thriving enterprise. A Business Administration major at Central Penn, he was a devoted student, baseball team captain, and a budding entrepreneur. NxtLvl Customs, launched during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, merges his skills into a thriving enterprise.

Since completing his coursework in 2023, Stevens has pursued his sneaker business full-time, often collaborating with his dad, Ron Stevens, and training new artists to expand operations.

Personal Milestones

Stevens credits Central Penn College not only for his professional growth but also for the personal connections he made along the way. From the supportive faculty who encouraged his entrepreneurial spirit to the friendships he forged on campus, his college experience shaped him in countless ways. This November, Stevens will celebrate another significant milestone: his wedding to fellow Central Penn alum Hailey Heverly, ‘23. Hailey, a Business Administration graduate and former Intern of the Year, has been by Ryan’s side since their high school days.

“Ryan’s ambition and generosity have always stood out,” Hailey shared. “Even as a full-time student, baseball captain, and business owner, he found time to give back to his community.”

Hailey proudly recalls that Ryan’s first official custom project was a pair of Louis Vuitton-themed Air Force Ones for her. Today, she marvels at his journey, describing him as “a man of ambition, care, and endless creativity.”

The Art of Custom Cleats

Crafting custom sneakers is no small feat. Each pair requires hours of preparation and meticulous painting, using Angelus leather paint and Liquid Kicks coating for durability. Designs range from horror movie-inspired sneakers (a personal favorite) to intricate team-themed cleats.

Stevens recalls how a “hail-mary” Instagram message to Andrew McCutchen, then a Phillies outfielder, kick-started his client base. While McCutchen didn’t respond, his “like” on the message was enough to inspire Stevens to create a pair of cleats for him.

From there, word spread among players, creating what Stevens calls “a chain reaction” of requests from stars like Bryson Stott, Edmundo Sosa, and many more. Today, Stevens’s work spans continents, with orders coming in from as far as England and Germany.

What’s Next for NxtLvl Customs?

As his business grows, Stevens envisions expanding his team of artists and building a sales force to extend his reach beyond social media. He’s also on the hunt for a brick-and-mortar location near West Chester to centralize operations.

And, fittingly, his groomsmen will sport custom black-and-tan sneakers at his wedding this November—a nod to his enduring passion for creativity and personal flair.

Ryan Stevens’s journey from Central Penn College to the big leagues of custom art is a story of ambition, talent, and perseverance. With every step, he proves that you can truly craft your own path—one pair of cleats at a time.