By Ryne Rickman, UT Martin Sports Information Director
WACO, Texas – Casey Ruggiero, a senior at the University of Tennessee at Martin, has been named the National Collegiate Equestrian Association’s Standout Athlete for the month of February.
Each month, the NCEA recognizes student-athletes for their accomplishments in the arena as well as outside of the ring with its “Standout Athlete” award, which takes academics, philanthropy, outstanding attitude and the embodiment of an ideal teammate into account.
An Arlington, Va. native, Ruggiero has worked tirelessly inside and outside of the arena. She serves as a Skyhawk team captain and is also president for UT Martin’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She also works as an intern for the Center of Sustainability on campus.
Ruggiero is a driving force in many of the athletic department’s philanthropy projects, including keeping the campus food pantry stocked for those with food insecurities. As a SAAC leader, she has been an advocate for mental health training for the Skyhawk student-athletes and has visited area schools to discuss the importance of teamwork and working hard to attain goals. She was an introduction speaker at UT Martin’s Title IX discussion panel event in January.
Majoring in international diplomacy and strategy while minoring in French, philosophy and history, Ruggiero is a member of the University Scholars honor program. She has won numerous academic awards from UT Martin, the Ohio Valley Conference, Eastern College Athletic Conference and the NCEA.
Last summer, Ruggiero had the opportunity to conduct a study in Africa to evaluate the efficiency of sustainable development organizations in Kenya for her honors thesis, which she plans to publish. Upon graduation, she already has two opportunities lined up as an intern for Reach Uganda and launching a non-governmental organization for sustainable business models. She aspires to go to law school and eventually work for a think tank focusing on sustainability development or energy and environmental policy.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information