Angela Ruggiero of Harper Woods never intended to be a role model.
All she's ever wanted to do was play hockey -- to see how far she could ascend in the traditionally male sport.
Her dreams have come true. Ruggiero is ranked as the No. 1 female hockey player in the world by the Sporting News, she's traveled the world and she's won Olympic gold and silver medals.
But she is also using her fame and influence to touch the lives of others.
"Having a positive role model is a powerful thing for girls to have, especially when they can see a girl doing something as well as the boys," Ruggiero said. "I grew up as a kid in California, having the L.A. Kings as my idols. There were no girls playing hockey, so I looked to the NHL.
"Now, I meet little girls all over, many who are playing hockey, show them my gold and silver medals and tell them they can do it too. And there is nothing like seeing that hope and excitement in their faces when they realize what you're saying. It's magic."
Ruggiero's family moved to Metro Detroit in 1996, something that thrilled Ruggiero -- she was going to live in Hockeytown, a boon for the budding star. She immediately switched allegiances and cheered in the stands of Joe Louis Arena when the Red Wings won Stanley Cups. Her hockey career took her out East for high school and college, but Ruggiero comes home to Harper Woods as often as she can to see her family, usually squeezing in visits around training or tournaments.
Ben Smith, coach of the U.S. women's hockey teams that won Olympic gold in 1998 and silver in 2002, has known Ruggiero since she was a fresh-faced 15-year-old on his team.
"Angela is such a multidimensional person, her life is about way more than hockey," Smith said. "She not only is the best defenseman in the world, but she's a person who has a real global vision. She's using her gifts and qualities as an athlete and a person to reach out to other human beings and make a difference for them. She has unlimited energy on and off the ice."
Ruggiero's life the past few years has been a delicate balance of training, studying at Harvard University and trying to give back. Last year, while completing her B.A. in government, she had another outstanding college hockey season, captaining Harvard's highly ranked varsity team. She was named the top player in women's hockey in 2004, as well as the best in the USA Hockey program.
She continues to train hard for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, while putting a career in real estate management on hold.
As Ruggiero's hockey career has grown in stature, she's decided to use her fame and success to help others, especially children. She spoke to children, encouraging self-esteem, as well as volunteered with girls hockey teams.
She's been part of an annual celebrity hockey game hosted by Red Wings Coach Dave Lewis in Troy, benefiting the Michigan Make-A-Wish foundation. She's usually the only woman and Olympian skating in the game, but she more than holds her own against the former and current Wings players.
Her Olympic experiences introduced her to Right to Play, a charity started by Olympic athletes to help impoverished children around the world. Summer and Winter Olympians deliver sporting goods, books, and supplies to refugee camps to help bring fun back into children's lives, as well as improve their medical and living conditions. Last July, Ruggiero spent 21 days in Uganda, where she learned how war and poverty have decimated lives.
"Hockey, in a way, has brought me to this place," she said. "I see it not just as a sport I love to play, but something I can use as a vehicle to make change in people's lives. I've been given a wonderful opportunity to help people. And I can't think of anything better to do with my life right now."
Joanne C. Gerstner
Back to the Michiganians index 
Previous Story