Fresno State Athletics
Ruth Lawanson Jersey Unveiling Celebration set for Saturday
11/7/2019 9:45:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Prior to Saturday's Bulldog volleyball match, the Fresno State Volleyball program will honor Bulldog volleyball legend Ruth Lawanson with a special jersey unveiling celebration.
Officially retired on Jan. 21, 1985 at the Fresno State Volleyball awards banquet, Lawanson's No. 15 jersey will now be displayed in the rafters at the Save Mart Center.
A decorated four-year 'Dog from 1981 to 1984, Lawanson became the first Fresno State female athlete to have her jersey number retired.
"Ruth is a very special person and player and we decided to honor her in this way because of her tremendous contributions over her four years to Fresno State," said Leilani Overstreet, Lawanson's head coach while at Fresno State in 1985 at her jersey retirement.
The program's career leader in hitting percentage and the 1984-85 Fresno State Athlete of the Year, the Nigerian native put together a historic career at Fresno State that saw her lead the Bulldogs to a program-record 26 wins in 1984.
A two-time NorPac All-Conference selection in 1983 & 1984, Lawanson put together a historic senior season in 1984 that saw her rank number one in single season matches played, third in single season sets played, fifth in single season hitting percentage, sixth in single season aces and 10th in single season kills.
Her fantastic senior season saw her named the NorPac Co-MVP, a First-Team All-Northwest Region Selection and a First-Team All-American by CVCA/Russell Athletic.
Lawanson went on to a professional volleyball career in Major League Volleyball where she was named the Player of Year in 1988 and went on to be a member of the U.S. National Team winning bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
"Ruth is one of the all-time great volleyball players in U.S. history and one of the best athletes in Fresno State's history," said head coach Jonathan Winder.
"Having an Olympian be a part of our volleyball tradition is tremendously valuable. It is the dream of most young volleyball players to play in the Olympics and play professionally. Ruth has excelled at the highest level in our sport and provides a great example for our team and community on achieving your goals and dreams. We are thrilled to have Ruth in the Save Mart Center on Saturday and to proudly display her jersey as the standard of a Fresno State Volleyball player," added Winder.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley"" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateVB
Instagram:Â FresnoStatevball
Facebook:Â FresnoStateVB
Â
Officially retired on Jan. 21, 1985 at the Fresno State Volleyball awards banquet, Lawanson's No. 15 jersey will now be displayed in the rafters at the Save Mart Center.
A decorated four-year 'Dog from 1981 to 1984, Lawanson became the first Fresno State female athlete to have her jersey number retired.
"Ruth is a very special person and player and we decided to honor her in this way because of her tremendous contributions over her four years to Fresno State," said Leilani Overstreet, Lawanson's head coach while at Fresno State in 1985 at her jersey retirement.
The program's career leader in hitting percentage and the 1984-85 Fresno State Athlete of the Year, the Nigerian native put together a historic career at Fresno State that saw her lead the Bulldogs to a program-record 26 wins in 1984.
A two-time NorPac All-Conference selection in 1983 & 1984, Lawanson put together a historic senior season in 1984 that saw her rank number one in single season matches played, third in single season sets played, fifth in single season hitting percentage, sixth in single season aces and 10th in single season kills.
Her fantastic senior season saw her named the NorPac Co-MVP, a First-Team All-Northwest Region Selection and a First-Team All-American by CVCA/Russell Athletic.
Lawanson went on to a professional volleyball career in Major League Volleyball where she was named the Player of Year in 1988 and went on to be a member of the U.S. National Team winning bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
"Ruth is one of the all-time great volleyball players in U.S. history and one of the best athletes in Fresno State's history," said head coach Jonathan Winder.
"Having an Olympian be a part of our volleyball tradition is tremendously valuable. It is the dream of most young volleyball players to play in the Olympics and play professionally. Ruth has excelled at the highest level in our sport and provides a great example for our team and community on achieving your goals and dreams. We are thrilled to have Ruth in the Save Mart Center on Saturday and to proudly display her jersey as the standard of a Fresno State Volleyball player," added Winder.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley"" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter:Â @FresnoStateVB
Instagram:Â FresnoStatevball
Facebook:Â FresnoStateVB
Â
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