Simmons Interview | Ruhwedel Interview

Bianca Simmons, a senior from Middletown, Conn., and Chad Ruhwedel, a junior from San Diego, Calif., were named the recipients of the Lester H. Cushing Award for UMass Lowell's athletes of the year Monday night at the Athletic Department Annual Senior Salute at the Inn and Conference Center.

The award is presented each year in honor of the University's first athletic director, Lester H. Cushing, who served the University in capacities such as head of the Department of Languages and Humanities as well as director of athletics from 1911 until 1960.

Simmons, a guard on the women's basketball team, and Ruhwedel, a defenseman on the hockey team, both enjoyed special seasons in 2012-13 which saw them thrust and thrive on a national stage.

Simmons led all Division II scorers with 28.2 points per game and drove UMass Lowell to its best season in 10 years – 18-9 overall and 15-7 in the Northeast-10 Conference – up from an 11-16/9-13 finish in 2011-12.

Ruhwedel helped lead the UMass Lowell hockey team to three trophies: The Hockey East regular season and tournament championships as well as the NCAA Tournament Northeast Region title and a trip to the Frozen Four.
 
Bianca Simmons
 
It is safe to say all of the UMass Lowell women's basketball team's opponents this season were well aware of senior guard Bianca Simmons. But the degree to which Simmons performed caught quite a few folks off guard.

Undoubtedly one of the greatest players in UMass Lowell history, Simmons led all NCAA Division II scorers with 28.2 points per game and also ranked high among national leaders in steals (seventh, 3.6).

“Bianca is truly the best player I've coached and one of the best I've seen at any level over the last 20 years,” said head coach Sarah Behn. “It was my pleasure and privilege to coach Bianca for two years and see her develop in every way on and off the court.”

A finalist for the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Division II Player of the Year, awards were abundant for Simmons, who was named the NE-10 Player of the Year and to the WBCA/State Farm All-America First Team. Additionally, she named to the WBCA East Region First Team, and the Daktronics All-America and All-East Region teams (voted upon by the country's sports information directors).

At the end of the season, Simmons was tabbed to participate in the 2013 WNBA College Combine at the Women's Final Four in New Orleans.

“Bianca controlled each game and led our team to victory time and time again this season,” Behn added. “Bianca's commitment to self-improvement in the off-season was remarkable and it will serve to inspire our players for many years to come.”

For her career, Simmons amassed 1,919 points, which currently ranks second on UMass Lowell's career list. She capped her career with a handful of school records, including points (762), scoring average (28.2), assists (146) and steals (99) in a season.

A native of Middletown, Conn., Simmons is currently weighing offers to play professionally. She is the daughter of Reginald and Cheryl Simmons.
 
 
Chad Ruhwedel
 
Chad Ruhwedel played a large and vital role in the UMass Lowell hockey team's greatest season in its 29-year Division I era. As the team endured a rough start – 4-7-1 in its first 11 games – it undoubtedly proved to be among the best in the country as it went 24-4-1 since Dec. 1.

UMass Lowell (28-11-2) captured the Hockey East regular season title with a 4-1 triumph at Providence in its final game, and moved on to win the Hockey East Tournament with a 1-0 victory over Boston University at the TD Garden – both firsts for the program.

Victories over Wisconsin (6-1) and New Hampshire (2-0) in the NCAA Northeast Regional ensured UMass Lowell's first-ever appearance in the Frozen Four.

Along the way, Ruhwedel earned a plethora of honors, including a spot on the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) All-America East Region First Team. Additionally, he was named to the Hockey East All-Conference First Team, as well as the recipient of the Bob Monahan Award for Defenseman of the Year by the New England Hockey Writers Association.

When UMass Lowell suffered a 3-2 overtime loss to Yale in the NCAA Frozen Four semifinal, Ruhwedel, however dejected, signed a two-year deal with the Buffalo Sabres, and was on the ice less than 48 hours later when Buffalo defeated Philadelphia, 1-0.

Ruhwedel played the final seven games for Buffalo and returned to UMass Lowell at the end of the regular season to finish out his junior year.

“Chad had an incredible season as part of the hockey team,” said head coach Norm Bazin. “He anchored a strong defensive unit and was part of a team that continued to set a new standard for Lowell hockey. His brief stint with the Sabres in Buffalo added to his special year. We hope he solidifies himself a role in the National Hockey League for years to come.”

For the season, Ruhwedel appeared in all 41 games and compiled seven goals and 16 assists (23 points) and a stellar +16 rating. He ranked third among Hockey East defensemen in scoring and led a defense which allowed the fewest goals per game in Hockey East (2.02), and ranked fourth in Division I.

Ruhwedel is the son of John and Robin Ruhwedel of San Diego, Calif.