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An American Hero Named Ruthie Bolton

An American Hero Named Ruthie Bolton

Last updated on: September 27, 2024 at 4:12 pm by Beverly R. Green

An American Hero Named Ruthie Bolton 2024-09-27T16:12:59-04:00 Beverly R. Green

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Ruthie Bolton/Sports World

Ruthie Bolton is a hero.

In her own words, She “grew up as one of twenty siblings and many cousins in a small town in Mississippi back in the day when we played outside until our parents made us come in. I learned a lot growing up in this environment–like the fact that life was not all about me, how to share, and how to work together as a team. I had to keep up with my siblings and cousins, and God gave me a very competitive spirit. My story includes overcoming obstacles, finding purpose in the pain, the importance of forgiveness, and wearing the crown God gave you.”

Facing fears about leaving home, but following her father’s advice, Ruthie Bolton went to Alabama and became a legend on Auburn University’s women’s basketball team. As a guard, she joined the team in a 119-13 record including four NCAA Tournament berths over four seasons. She played 132 games in which she scored 1,176 points and 526 assists. She is in the Women’s basketball Hall of Fame.

According to autigers.com, “when Bolton was a high school senior, her dream was to follow big sister Mae Ola to Auburn and play for the Lady Tigers, who were winning games at a record-setting pace with her older sister, one of the team stars.

“Ciampi didn’t have any doubts that Ruthie could be a good college player, but thought it might be difficult to follow in her more acclaimed older sister’s footsteps. Mae Ola was a high school All-American and considered one of the best prep basketball players in Mississippi history, who became one of the best in SEC history. Ruthie was an All-State player whose statistics were good, but not spectacular, but her teams always seemed to find a way to win with two state titles to their credit.

“She adamantly told me and the coaching staff at that time that she wanted to come to Auburn, she would play at Auburn and prove to us the player she was and that all she wanted was to be given an opportunity to show us what she could do. To say the least, she has proven to me and all our coaching staff that if you give someone an opportunity and let them grow and you give them some direction they can be a success. That is what college basketball is all about. She has blossomed into one of the greatest guards from baseline to baseline that has ever played the game because of her quickness, her defensive strength and her with her ability to wear you down mentally…She never, never gives you a chance to relax. Offensively, she has totally improved her IQ. She has always been able to shoot it and score, but now she has become more selective and creates more opportunities for her teammates.”

Ms. Bolton went on to play 8 years in the WNBA from 1997 to 2004, all 8 seasons with the Monarchs and she was one of the franchise’s marquee players. For the 1998 season, she only played 5 games due to dealing with a near career-ending knee injury, but she bounced back and made the All-Star team in the 1999 season. She made the All-Star team again in 2001 season. Throughout her 8 seasons with the team, Bolton and the Monarchs made the playoffs 5 times.

This record is awesome by itself, but Ms. Bolton also played on the USA Olympic basketball teams which won her and the team two gold medals (1996 and 2000).

A few days ago, Ruthie Bolton visited our small Christian junior high and high school to talk to our students as part of the Sports World program. What a humble, up-beat, lovely Christian woman!

I’ll never forget how she asked the students about their talents and their “hidden talents.” She invited an 11th grader to come up front and sing.

One quiet 7th grader raised her hand and said, “I sing sometimes, but not in front of anyone.” In fact, the girl had to say it three times before she could be heard. Ruthie Bolton called the girl up front and as she came up, she told her, “This is going to change your life.” Then she handed the girl the microphone.

To everyone’s shock and surprise, that little girl belted out a rendition of “Amazing Grace” that gave me goosebumps. It was amazing! Her classmates went wild (after they picked their chins up off the floor).

Ruthie Bolton with students. She let them wear her gold medals!/B. Green

Ruthie Bolton’s testimony made an impact on our students, and she didn’t even have to pick up a basketball! Even though I cheer for the Crimson Tide, I had to give her a fist bump and a “War Eagle” before she left.

God bless you, Ruthie Bolton! Keep being a light!

And God bless you!

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