‘Good Move’
Fredonia High Grad Ruiz Awarded Football Scholarship At UB
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Jovany Ruiz received an extra-special Christmas gift earlier this week, and his teammates and coaching staff on the University at Buffalo football team were all there to witness it.
Thanks to Twitter, thousands of fans have had that opportunity, too.
Ruiz, a senior wide receiver from Fredonia, was informed by Coach Lance Leipold earlier this week that he is now a scholarship student-athlete.
"I did get a call from Santa," Leipold said on the video, tweeted out by @UBfootball on Friday morning. "He told me he had one present to give. Where are you Gio?"
With that, Ruiz stood up and his teammates, knowing what that recognition meant, mobbed him in celebration.
His wish had come true.
Earlier this month, he told The Post-Journal that he hoped to have his final year of eligibility in 2021 covered by scholarship, but nothing was guaranteed.
"It's my fourth year on the team and for the first two years I was really chasing a scholarship and focusing on too many personal goals," he said. "Last year, after coach said that I couldn't play here, I came back with a team-first mindset."
Ruiz has already earned his undergraduate degree in public health, but is working toward his master's degree in finance. With a year of studies remaining after the completion of this semester, Ruiz's personal calendar lines up perfectly with another year of football for the Bulls.
"I thought this was my last season ever ... but then the news came out that seniors could have another season next year," he said. "I'll be at full strength next year. ... Even though I've already worked so hard, I can only get stronger."
And he can do so, knowing that he has landed his best catch of his career -- a scholarship.
And, by the way, Ruiz had quite a game for himself in the Bulls' 17-10 victory over Marshall in the Camellia Bowl, catching seven passes for 61 yards.
"(The scholarship) looked like a pretty good move," Leipold said after the game.