One of two profiles on senior women’s basketball players.
By Vassili Stroganov and Will Senar
Recently crowned with the honor of a GNAC All-Conference selection, senior Suffolk star Jennifer Ruys finished her remarkable career in style. Ruys has been a central part of the women’s basketball team for the past four years as she recorded an incredible 1,486 points in 102 games, making her the second highest scorer in program history. The numbers tell it all, but as the forward reflected on her glorious career, not only the results came to mind.
“My four years with Suffolk basketball has been an overall amazing experience. Of my top experiences, I would say that my favorite is the relationships I have built with my teammates and my coaches each year” Ruys said.
At seven years old, Ruys learned basketball from her father, who was a basketball coach, and introduced her to some hall of famers like John Wooden, who proved to be one of her biggest influences. Her dad even laid out a full basketball court on their driveway with Wooden’s quote “Failure to prepare is preparing to fail” etched on the court.
During her career, women’s the team had some great results and that is no coincidence.
“I am also very proud of being a part of the most winningest basketball team in Suffolk history during my junior season. There have been so many incredible experiences throughout my four years – it is hard to remember them all! My toughest experience was probably my injury during my sophomore year,” said Ruys.
Her injury, three Grade Four stress fractures on her tibia, kept her out for 10 games and during that time, her teammates and her coach were very supportive of her.
“It was so frustrating because I could walk but I just couldn’t put too much pressure on it and couldn’t pound on the floor,” said Ruys. “But I looked at it as challenge to make myself so much better.”
“Some of the best moments of my college career were for sure spent with my basketball team – both on and off the court. On the court we’ve dealt with adversity together, picked each other up when someone was down, and cheered each other on. Off the court, my teammates have become my life-long best friends,” said Ruys.
Looking back, she wishes there was more support for the women’s basketball team. She believes that a great crowd can positively impact games.
“Basketball has always been a huge part of my family – my father is a coach, both my brothers play, and my mom is our biggest cheerleader. This season has been a lot of fun. We worked very hard all year. In our last game we didn’t play our game – we played flat and it was an unfortunate way to end the season, but I would not want it to overshadow all of our success this year. I know basketball will always be a part of my life. Certainly recreationally but I’ve also considered coaching and refereeing,” said Ruys.
There is no doubt that Ruys has learned a lot in her four years at Suffolk.
A professional career is not out of reach for Ruys, especially since she was invited to an exposure tournament in Europe where talented college athletes can go and impress European team scouts.
But, as self-proclaimed nerd, Ruys is looking to have a career as an athletic trainer and is currently looking at grad school at Bridgewater State University to earn a Master’s degree.
“The lesson that I can take from my four years of Suffolk basketball is that hard work and enthusiasm pays off – which really applies in any component of life.”
