ASPP Advisory Board

“If I am only remembered for being a basketball player, I believe that I will have failed in my job on this planet.” – Ruthie Bolton

Ruthie Bolton is one of the most accomplished female athletes in the world. She is a 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist, a USA Basketball Female of the Year, the Sports Illustrated Best Woman Athlete by home state and one of only 4 players to be named to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2011. She remains in the Auburn University record books to this day even though she was told she, “couldn’t do it,” and was the first Lady Tiger to have her number retired.
After college, she was not even invited to try out for the U.S. National Team- a team which she later led to a Gold Medal in 1996. 2 years later, she was told she would never play basketball again due to a torn A.C.L., yet she re-claimed her spot on the National Team, and brought them to a second Gold Medal in 2000.
“Mighty Ruthie” Bolton was the original franchise player for the WNBA’s Sacramento Monarchs. Scored over 2000 career points, 4th on the WNBA’s all-time 3-pointer list and the only player in the history of the Monarchs to have her number retired. She’s been on the cover of Sports Illustrated, a guest on Regis, David Letterman, and was sponsored by Nike.
Ruthie’s off-the-court accomplishments include being a 1st Lieutenant in the Army, the first National Spokeswoman for the WNBA’s “Play Fit/ Stay Fit” youth development program, the release of her first Gospel CD single “Making a Way.” Author of her book, “The Ride of a Lifetime” and “From Pain to Power”.
She’s a highly sought-after speaker. Some of her favorite messages include:
Attitude is Everything, Overcoming Adversity, How To Exceed Expectations, Finding the Beauty in the Struggle, Keep Aiming High, Family and the Value of Love, Accountability and Working as a Team.