Family’s are a big part of what makes the SOR community what it is. Family’s influence almost every aspect of life south of the bridge even down to the naming of streets and ridges. This basketball season saw a growth in the family atmosphere as Isaiah Ruffner joined his Dad along the sidelines. Isaiah brings a positive influence to the team with his dedication to God, family, and community.
I had the privilege to witness, first hand, Isaiah’s dedication and work ethic at an early age. I played for Darrell Ruffner during the early/mid 1990’s and Isaiah was just another skinny little 5th grader. However, this 5th grader could handle the ball better than 95% of those who played ball for the high school….not to mention he could out shoot 80% of us! Of course being the son of a coach he had unlimited access to the gym, but Isaiah wasn’t just another kid goofing off along the sidelines as we practiced. Isaiah was working on his ball handling, perfecting his jumper, learning the game of basketball. Isaiah would run drills along side us, heck; he would run them better than most of us. And if we were short a man for a scrimmage, Isaiah would gladly step in.
These countless hours of practice paid off for Isaiah. He had an outstanding baseball and basketball career playing for the Green Wave. But his athletic career didn’t end at Midway. Isaiah went on to play baseball for Cumberland College where in 2005, he had a regular season record of 5-1, including 33 strikeouts, 3 complete games, and one shut out.
Yet perhaps it was his career in the classroom where his dedication and work ethic truly paid off. While at Cumberland College, Isaiah received Academic All-Conference Awards and was the 2006 recipient of the Computer Information Systems Outstanding Senior Award.
Today, Isaiah can be seen – dressed to impress – along the MHS basketball sidelines with his Dad.
SORSN recently contacted Isaiah for a brief interview.
SORSN: What’s it like coaching along side your dad? Who looks better in a suit and tie?
Isaiah: I really love it. I have been so blessed to have the opportunity to not only play for my father, but to now also have the opportunity to coach with him. It is so amazing to see how well he connects with his players and students, and how much they respect him, and though I saw this as a player, being a coach has really helped me to see this.
It is funny that you mention the suits. You would not believe how many complements we have gotten this year about how well we dress. As a matter of fact, we claim to be the best dressed coaching staff in the district, and possibly in the region. I am not sure I could really say who looks best. Perhaps you can take a poll on sorsn.com and let the people decide!
SORSN: Though you have a degree in CIS, do you think coaching could be in your future as well?
Isaiah: I could not say for certain either way. I enjoy my job, but I also enjoy coaching so it is tough to say. I guess I will be wherever my Savior leads me.
SORSN: What do you enjoy more…analyzing SensorNet or breaking down game film?
Isaiah: Definitely breaking down game film! I would take something basketball any day over work. It is strange how much you can miss the game. I did not even really realize it until after our first practice when I was driving home and could smell the leather from the basketballs on my hands. I am sure some of you probably think that is strange, but I love that smell. There is just something about it, I guess.
SORSN: Did your Dad ever make you do ‘step-drags’ as punishment when you were a kid?
Isaiah: As surprising as this may be, I was never forced to do any step-drags for punishment as a kid. I did get a few paddlings, which anyone who has ever been paddled by my dad can tell you comes with some sting!