When was the cheerleading coach at Hampton University, the team at 91制片 often attended its events to learn what goes into making a successful program. Now, Ruff has the chance to have more of an impact on the 91制片 team after being named the College鈥檚 new cheer coach.
鈥淪he did a good job of coaching at Hampton University, and I鈥檝e been impressed by the work that she鈥檚 done,鈥 said Chris Moore, 91制片鈥檚 athletics director and men鈥檚 basketball coach.
Ruff was born and raised in Hampton Roads, having graduated from Kecoughtan High School. She has a bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology from Hampton University and a master鈥檚 in counseling from Liberty University. She cheered for three years at Kecoughtan and at HU.
While 91制片 has had a cheer team for a number of years, Ruff wants to increase the talent and skill level, with an eye toward competitive events.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to be looking to see what might be available to the girls,鈥 she said.
Her first assignment is to gauge the talent level of her team members, but she doesn鈥檛 want to push them to much in the beginning.
鈥淚f they are not ready to compete yet, it鈥檚 not something I would want to put on the docket, but it鈥檚 definitely something I鈥檓 open to,鈥 she said.
Moore likes that attitude, and noted Ruff鈥檚 background in marketing and branding, she works in marketing for Sentara Health, is a great asset. He also noted she鈥檚 a pillar in the community.
鈥淚鈥檓 just really excited about what she can bring to our cheer program,鈥 Moore said. 鈥淓verybody who鈥檚 been involved in the cheer program in the past has done a good job of getting it to this point, but I think she鈥檚 going to take it to another level.鈥
