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. She also coached college volleyball teams. Ruth was born in Nigeria. She played volleyball for Fresno State and the U.S. national team. She even won a bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics!
Contents
Ruth Lawanson's Playing Career
College Volleyball Success
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 last 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 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. Ruth is also a member of the Fresno State Athletic Hall of Fame.
Playing for the U.S. National Team
Lawanson played for the U.S. national team for four years. She won bronze medals with her team. These medals were at the 1990 FIVB World Championship in China. She also won one at the 1991 FIVB World Cup in Japan. Her biggest win was a bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
Professional Volleyball Teams
Ruth Lawanson played professional volleyball from 1987 to 1989. She played for the Dallas Belles and Minnesota Monarchs. These teams were part of Major League Volleyball. She was named the league's MVP in 1988. Later, from 1992 to 1995, she played in Italy and France.
Ruth Lawanson's Coaching Career
After her playing career, Ruth Lawanson became a coach. She was an assistant coach at Purdue University for four years. She also coached at Fresno State for six years. Then she coached at the United States Air Force Academy for two years. She spent one year at the University of Nevada.
Ruth became the head coach at Angelo State for three seasons. She then became the head coach for Nevada's team in 2011. She finished her coaching duties at Nevada on November 26, 2014.
About Ruth Lawanson's Life
Ruth Lawanson was born on September 27, 1963. Her birthplace was 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. Ruth graduated from Fresno State in 1987. She earned a degree in business administration. She 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.
