Ruth Lawanson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ruth Lawanson |
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Ruth Modupe Lawanson | |||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | American | |||||||||||||||||||
| Born | September 27, 1963 (age 61) Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria |
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| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | |||||||||||||||||||
| College(s) | California State University, Fresno | |||||||||||||||||||
| Volleyball information | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Outside hitter | |||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||
| National team | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Ruth Modupe Lawanson, born on September 27, 1963, is a famous former volleyball player and coach. She was born in Nigeria. Ruth played volleyball for Fresno State University. She also played for the United States national team. She even won a bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics!
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Ruth Lawanson's Amazing Volleyball Career
Playing in College
Ruth Lawanson played for the Fresno State volleyball team. She was named the team's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1982, 1983, and 1984. In 1984, her final year, she helped her team, the Bulldogs, finish fifth at the NCAA tournament. She was also named NorPac co-Player of the Year and an All-American.
Ruth was also chosen as the 1984-85 Fresno State Female Athlete of the Year. She was the first female athlete at the school to have her jersey number retired. This means no one else can wear that number! She is also a member of the Fresno State Athletic Hall of Fame.
Playing for Her Country
Ruth Lawanson played on the U.S. national team for four years. She helped the team win bronze medals. They won at the 1990 FIVB World Championship in China. They also won at the 1991 FIVB World Cup in Japan. And, of course, at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
Playing Professionally
Ruth played professional volleyball for the Dallas Belles and Minnesota Monarchs. These teams were part of Major League Volleyball from 1987 to 1989. She was named the league's MVP in 1988. After that, she played in Italy and France from 1992 to 1995.
Ruth Lawanson's Coaching Journey
After her playing career, Ruth Lawanson became a volleyball coach. She was an assistant coach at Purdue University for four years. She also coached at Fresno State for six years. Later, she coached at the United States Air Force Academy for two years. She also spent one year coaching at the University of Nevada.
Ruth became the head coach at Angelo State for three seasons. She then became the head coach of Nevada's team in 2011. She finished her coaching duties at Nevada on November 26, 2014.
About Ruth Lawanson
Ruth Lawanson was born on September 27, 1963, in Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria. Her parents are Samuel and Caroline Lawanson. Her father was a well-known athlete in Nigeria. Ruth moved to the United States with her family when she was two years old.
She went to Clovis West High School. There, she was a great athlete. She played volleyball, basketball, and competed in track. She graduated from Fresno State in 1987 with a degree in business. Ruth has also been on the board of directors for the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
Ruth Lawanson married Shawn Kenan in 2002. Her cousin, Foluke Akinradewo, also played for the U.S. national volleyball team. It seems volleyball talent runs in the family!
