Ruth Lawanson

International Lawanson played on the U.S. national team for four years. She won bronze medals with the team at the 1990 FIVB World Championship in China, 1991 FIVB World Cup in Japan, and 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Coaching career Lawanson was an assistant coach at Purdue University for four years, at Fresno State for six years, at the United States Air Force Academy for two years, and at the University of Nevada for one year. She was the head coach at Angelo State for three seasons in which she led the team to a 19-65 record. She was named the head coach of Nevada's team in 2011.

Personal Lawanson was born on September 27, 1963, in Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria, the daughter of Samuel and Caroline Lawanson. Her father was a well-known athlete in Nigeria. Lawanson attended Clovis West High School, where she was a standout athlete who competed in volleyball, basketball, and track. She graduated from Fresno State with a degree in business administration in 1987. She has served as a member of the board of directors of the American Volleyball Coaches Association.