Did you ever think there's not enough time in the day to accomplish everything? For Cornell senior Kim Ruck, this seems to be a recurring reality.
She is a member of the women's basketball team, is actively involved in the Delta Gamma sorority and is a student volunteer in downtown Ithaca.
Although basketball is a large part of Ruck's life, her volunteer involvement sets her apart from most college students. And that experience is much different than the cheering and the excitement of the basketball court.
For 16 hours each week, Ruck volunteers as a student caseworker for Child Protective Services in Ithaca. She investigates claims of child abuse and neglect in families and she counsels children found in these homes.
The product of a stable and loving family in Northport, N.Y., Ruck said the time she puts in at the center has been a life-changing experience. Knowing that innocent children are suffering troubles her, and she wants to become a social worker after graduation. Even though the work is emotionally challenging, Ruck encourages everyone to dedicate some of their time to helping children.
Ruck's involvement in basketball also is an important part of her life. She said it has offered her an opportunity to meet different people and has served as a support system. It also has taught her how to deal with stressful situations, manage her time, and it has given her the ability to accept failure along with success. But above all, basketball has given Ruck an emotional outlet, she said. Even though certain times throughout her life have posed a challenge to her, the game has given her comfort and security.
A co-captain, Ruck has been an outstanding leader in the women's basketball program and throughout the league. Athletically, her strength and power have given her the ability to score in traffic and rip down rebounds. Following her junior season, the forward was named to the All-Ivy League second team.
This season, she is leading the team in points, with 12.2 per game, and has a team-high 58 assists. She reached the 1,000-point milestone Dec. 3 in a game against Niagara, becoming just the eighth woman player in Cornell history to reach that mark. She is also listed among the top 10 at Cornell for career numbers in field goals made (413), assists (307) and 20-point games (14).
Even though Ruck dedicates a large part of her time to basketball and to her volunteer work, she also understands that it is important to let go and have fun, as well. As a senior, she offers the same advice to the incoming freshman basketball players: "Make sure that you take school seriously, work hard and be involved in a wide variety of activities," she said. "And make sure to take time to enjoy life too.
"My Cornell career has been an enormous growing experience," Ruck said, "one that will encourage, nourish and follow me throughout my life."
Take a Kid to the Game
This Saturday, Feb. 14, is "Take a Kid to the Game" night at the Cornell women's basketball game against Dartmouth, at 7 p.m. in Newman Arena. In honor of the National Girls and Women in Sports Day and the Women's Sports Foundation, any child under the age of 18, with a paying adult, will get into the game free and receive a coupon for a free soda. An autograph session with the women's basketball players follows the game. Field House ticket windows open at 6 p.m., or tickets can be ordered by phone at 255-7333.
| Cornell Chronicle Front Page | | Table of Contents | | Cornell News Service Home Page |