Goucher Athletics Announces Ruth Baird Thompson '31 Coaches Award Winners

BALTIMORE, Md. – Women's soccer head coach Stephanie Ricketts and equestrian head coach Jen Smith have been named the inaugural Ruth Baird Thompson '31 Coaches Award winners.

The Ruth Baird Thompson '31 Award was established in 2002 and presented annually to one or more students who have demonstrated academic excellence and sportsmanship in an athletic endeavor, through their participation in Goucher's sports, dance, and/or equestrian programs. In 2021, the Ruth Baird Thompson '31 Award expanded to add a coaches award.

"Despite the virtual semesters, we had two coaches figure out creative ways to keep student-athletes and alums engaged with their teams and coaches," said Director of Athletics Andrew Wu. "I am happy to present the first Ruth Baird Thompson Coaches Award to Stephanie Ricketts and Jen Smith."

Ricketts, a 2007 graduate of Goucher College, is in her fourth season at Goucher in 2020-21. She also served as an assistant coach for the Gophers from 2013-15.

"I am so honored and humbled to receive the Ruth Baird Thompson Coaches Award this year, and sharing it with Coach Smith makes it even more special as she is a colleague that I look up to," said Ricketts. "As an alum, I feel so fortunate to work at a place that has given me so much. Coaching can be hard some days, but the people I am surrounded by at Goucher make it worth it."

Smith is finishing her eighth year as the equestrian director and head coach of the Blue and Gold equestrian team. Her association with Goucher dates back to 2007, as an assistant director of riding and associate director before taking the reins in 2013.

"Thank you so much for this honor," said Smith. "I want to thank my awesome staff, my incredibly gifted students that I get to work with every day, and most of all, our unbelievable horses that are better teachers than I could ever be."

Watch the entire Virtual Athletic Banquet: