Ruth Pickett Thompson
Encyclopedia
Ruth Pickett Thompson is a former All-America
n synchronized swimmer
for the University of Michigan
. A native of Richmond, Virginia
, she was named an All-American in four consecutive years from 1978 to 1981, and also placed among the top three individuals at the Intercollegiate Synchronized Swimming Championships in each of those years. Synchronized swimming was one of the six original varsity sports for women. Under the coaching of Joyce Lindeman, the varsity team finished second in the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women tournament in 1977 and 1978. Thompson was the leader of the 1977 and 1978 squads, and was honored with the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women
's 1979 and 1980 Broderick Awards as the nation's top collegiate athlete in her sport. She also received the 1981 Marie Hartwig
Award winner as the University of Michigan's female athlete of the year. In 1998, she received the Gerald R. Ford Award, presented each year to a single former student-athlete who epitomizes excellence in scholarship, sport and society. In February 2008, she was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
along with Heisman Trophy
winner Desmond Howard
. In February 2008, Thompson said the Ford Award and the induction into the Hall of Honor rank at the top of her top achievements. "I was quite surprised when I got the phone call, so I was very thrilled and honored to be recognized by the university and athletic department," she said. Her two sons, both students at the University of Michigan, attended the Hall of Honor induction ceremonies. She noted at the time: "My children and husband were thrilled about this award because Desmond Howard was being inducted with me, so this one is a lot cooler" than other honors. Thompson remains involved with synchronized swimming, swimming with U-M's masters group, which takes part in the national competition every year. She currently lives in the St. Clair County, Michigan
, works as a substitute teacher and volunteers in school, community and church organizations.
Since 2001, the University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team has presented the Ruth Pickett Thompson Athlete of the Year Award to the athlete who has demonstrated superior work ethic, dedication to the team, and the potential to achieve greatness. Past recipients include Rochelle Ross and Sarah DuBay.
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n synchronized swimmer
Synchronized swimming
Synchronized swImming is a hybrid form of swimming, dance and gymnastics, consisting of swimmers performing a synchronized routine of elaborate moves in the water, accompanied by music....
for the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. A native of Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, she was named an All-American in four consecutive years from 1978 to 1981, and also placed among the top three individuals at the Intercollegiate Synchronized Swimming Championships in each of those years. Synchronized swimming was one of the six original varsity sports for women. Under the coaching of Joyce Lindeman, the varsity team finished second in the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women tournament in 1977 and 1978. Thompson was the leader of the 1977 and 1978 squads, and was honored with the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women
Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women
The Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women was founded in 1971 to govern collegiate women's athletics in the United States and to administer national championships. It evolved out of the Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics for Women . The association was one of the biggest...
's 1979 and 1980 Broderick Awards as the nation's top collegiate athlete in her sport. She also received the 1981 Marie Hartwig
Marie Hartwig
Marie Dorothy "Pete" Hartwig was an American professor of physical education at the University of Michigan, the university's first associate director of athletics for women, and a lifelong advocate for education, women's sports, and intercollegiate athletics...
Award winner as the University of Michigan's female athlete of the year. In 1998, she received the Gerald R. Ford Award, presented each year to a single former student-athlete who epitomizes excellence in scholarship, sport and society. In February 2008, she was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
The University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor, founded in 1978, recognizes University of Michigan athletes, coaches, and administrators who have made significant contributions to the university's athletic programs...
along with Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
winner Desmond Howard
Desmond Howard
Desmond Kevin Howard is a former NFL wide receiver, punt returner, and kickoff returner.He played football for the University of Michigan from 1989–1991 and won the Heisman Trophy in 1991...
. In February 2008, Thompson said the Ford Award and the induction into the Hall of Honor rank at the top of her top achievements. "I was quite surprised when I got the phone call, so I was very thrilled and honored to be recognized by the university and athletic department," she said. Her two sons, both students at the University of Michigan, attended the Hall of Honor induction ceremonies. She noted at the time: "My children and husband were thrilled about this award because Desmond Howard was being inducted with me, so this one is a lot cooler" than other honors. Thompson remains involved with synchronized swimming, swimming with U-M's masters group, which takes part in the national competition every year. She currently lives in the St. Clair County, Michigan
St. Clair County, Michigan
-Interstates:* I-69 enters the county from the west, coming from Lansing and Flint, terminating at the approach to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron....
, works as a substitute teacher and volunteers in school, community and church organizations.
Since 2001, the University of Michigan Synchronized Swimming Team has presented the Ruth Pickett Thompson Athlete of the Year Award to the athlete who has demonstrated superior work ethic, dedication to the team, and the potential to achieve greatness. Past recipients include Rochelle Ross and Sarah DuBay.