Jan. 13, 2001
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Spotlight takes a look at the third-ranked women’s basketball team as they prepare for a showdown with top-ranked UConn. A large part of the women’s success is due in part to Ruth Riley. Today, the FANSzine takes a look at Riley’s transition into college life in the second part of this three part series.
Making transitions into college life isn’t easy for any coed.
Imagine trying to adjust to a new academic regimen while attending daily practices and traveling to game. That is just what Riley had to do in her first year at Notre Dame.
She found it was no walk in the park.
But she was not alone in the struggle. Leahy had made the decision to attend Notre Dame, and she was going through the same adjustments as Ruth
“We were the typical freshmen that had a little trouble adjusting,” Riley said. “I was thrown in from a country setting to a fast paced, college-style ball, it took me a while to adjust.
“Meaghan was there and we got through just about everything together.”
Leahy shares the sentiments as her fellow teammate.
“I remember looking at her during practice freshmen year and our eyes would be welling up with tears,” she said. “It was definitely a tough year and we really got through it together.”
Leahy reminds people that the accolades Ruth receives now are all come from the hard work she has done at the University the last four years.
“Ruth came in and she was really shy,” Leahy explained. “She got off to a rough start freshmen year and a lot of people forget about that.
“In high school I don’t think she was a first team All-American or anything…where she is now is a reflection of how hard she has worked every day.”
The realization that something special has emerged in this team is apparent to everyone associated with this team.
“It has progressed since the start [of our freshmen year] till our senior year,” Riley said.
“Kelly [Siemon] has really stepped it up and Imani [Dunbar], with her three years experience, really helps a lot.”
For the last four years Ruth has stepped it up off the court as well, earning Academic All-American with a double major in Psychology and Sociology. Again, Riley modestly takes her achievements in stride.
“It is what you make of it, really,” Ruth said, referring to school. “If academics and athletics are of the same importance to you it is just determining and finding time to get it done. I mean it’s tough but it is not impossible.”
Riley, also likes to points out that being a student-athlete at Notre Dame maybe a little different then any other major university.
“A lot of people don’t realize how accountable you are in terms of representing the university,” she added. “Being a member of a team, you are always in the spotlight, always representing the University…even when you are away from the setting, away from the team, just being yourself with your friends and going to the mall, you are still seen as a player.”
This too will change. In May, Riley will graduate, and again, like she did four years ago, she will find herself in a new environment with unfamiliar faces surrounding her again.