Undergraduate Spotlight: Ruth Lazzari
By Andrea Berninger, Graduate Teaching Assisstant

Raised by parents who run marathons, Ruth Lazzari has always been active. The senior from Seal Beach, Calif., recalls walking two miles each way with her mom, dad, and three siblings to see movies in the theatre, rather than piling into the family minivan.

The influence of her upbringing is visible at GWU, where the 21-year-old is wrapping up a degree in Exercise Science and an impressive career on the University's varsity volleyball team.

Ruth smacked her first volleyball over the net when she was in sixth grade and wanted to copy her older sister, a junior high player who would later coach Ruth at Connelly High School. She grew into a formidable 5'10” outside hitter, and elected to continue playing for the Colonials.

Though Ruth isn't yet certain what role volleyball will play in her life after college, No. 5 has left her mark on GW athletics. In her final game, Ruth tied the school record for career digs (1,435) and ended up fourth on GW's career kills list with 1,1,31 kills. She was named to the 12-member Atlantic 10 All-Conference Team for three consecutive years: 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Academically Ruth opted to pursue a B.S. in Exercise Science with a pre-health professional concentration, with an eye on a career in physical therapy or sports medicine. She says she likes the variety of her major, as well as all the professional directions she can potentially go with the degree. After her May 2004 graduation, she plans to return to California for a year to work and apply to graduate programs.

In addition to her coursework, Ruth completed an internship at a Washington, D.C. physical therapy clinic and served as a volunteer coach with GW's beginning marathon training program.

Ruth is the daughter of Margaret and Joseph Lazzari. She has two sisters and one brother. Her favorite free-time activities include reading and, of course, beach volleyball.

<top>