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Alumna Spotlight: Isabel Ruby-Hill
4/3/2020 4:21:00 PM | Rowing
DURHAM, N.C. – The Duke rowing program is excited to introduce a weekly "Alumna Spotlight" segment, providing a look into the interests, occupations and favorite memories of former Blue Devil rowers.
This week features Isabel Ruby-Hill, a 2019 graduate who spent four years as a mainstay in the varsity-8 boat for Duke. A two-time All-ACC selection, "Izzy" helped the Blue Devils advance to the NCAA Championships in her freshman (2016) and senior (2019) seasons.
Ruby-Hill, who currently resides in her hometown of Toronto, represented Team Canada at the U23 World Rowing Championships in 2018 and 2019. While she said much of the competition was composed of fellow NCAA rowers, she quickly learned that being on the international stage brought many differences than what she saw in Durham.
"It was definitely different competing on that stage than competing in the NCAA," Ruby-Hill said. "A big difference was in the size of the teams. I was one of only eight people on Team Canada, and there are about 50 on Duke's roster."
With the 2018 Championships taking place in Poland, Ruby-Hill was hard pressed to find a personal fan section. In 2019, however, she was greeted to a pleasant surprise as she and Team Canada traveled down to Sarasota, Florida.
"Since it was in Florida, Coach Megan [Cooke-Carcagno] made the trip and watched me, which was so awesome. It was great having her there for such a big moment in my career."
As for what she was representing, Ruby-Hill maintained that donning the Team Canada crest was reminiscent to her days as a Blue Devil.
"Wearing the maple leaf was a little bit like wearing the Duke 'D' across your chest," she said. "You knew you were part of something bigger than yourself."
While her international rowing career progresses, Ruby-Hill has other aspirations outside of the sport that include earning her Master's degree in management. She is currently working in a human resources role for a restaurant company in Toronto that she said she supports for their value in the lifestyle that is associated with athletes. Ruby-Hill's ultimate pursuit is in the consulting field when she finishes graduate school.
Both on and off the water, Ruby-Hill attributes much of her success to her experience at Duke.
"As far as Duke setting me up, it was a privilege to graduate from such a prestigious university," she said. "Duke provided a very solid foundation and earning my degree in psychology was such a great experience. I am really thankful to be home in Toronto, but I loved living in Durham for those years."
While she misses being around the program each day, Ruby-Hill still keeps up with the current team as well as fellow rowing alumnae. She had planned to attend two meets as well as the ACC Championships in Clemson, S.C, prior to the remainder of this season being canceled. However, Ruby-Hill wants to remain as connected as she can to a program that she played a key role in establishing as one of the ACC's best.
"I still keep in touch with my old teammates in group texts and follow what the team is doing on social media. It's been awesome competing for Team Canada, but I definitely miss being on the team and around everyone every day."
#GoDuke
This week features Isabel Ruby-Hill, a 2019 graduate who spent four years as a mainstay in the varsity-8 boat for Duke. A two-time All-ACC selection, "Izzy" helped the Blue Devils advance to the NCAA Championships in her freshman (2016) and senior (2019) seasons.
Ruby-Hill, who currently resides in her hometown of Toronto, represented Team Canada at the U23 World Rowing Championships in 2018 and 2019. While she said much of the competition was composed of fellow NCAA rowers, she quickly learned that being on the international stage brought many differences than what she saw in Durham.
"It was definitely different competing on that stage than competing in the NCAA," Ruby-Hill said. "A big difference was in the size of the teams. I was one of only eight people on Team Canada, and there are about 50 on Duke's roster."
With the 2018 Championships taking place in Poland, Ruby-Hill was hard pressed to find a personal fan section. In 2019, however, she was greeted to a pleasant surprise as she and Team Canada traveled down to Sarasota, Florida.
"Since it was in Florida, Coach Megan [Cooke-Carcagno] made the trip and watched me, which was so awesome. It was great having her there for such a big moment in my career."
As for what she was representing, Ruby-Hill maintained that donning the Team Canada crest was reminiscent to her days as a Blue Devil.
"Wearing the maple leaf was a little bit like wearing the Duke 'D' across your chest," she said. "You knew you were part of something bigger than yourself."
While her international rowing career progresses, Ruby-Hill has other aspirations outside of the sport that include earning her Master's degree in management. She is currently working in a human resources role for a restaurant company in Toronto that she said she supports for their value in the lifestyle that is associated with athletes. Ruby-Hill's ultimate pursuit is in the consulting field when she finishes graduate school.
Both on and off the water, Ruby-Hill attributes much of her success to her experience at Duke.
"As far as Duke setting me up, it was a privilege to graduate from such a prestigious university," she said. "Duke provided a very solid foundation and earning my degree in psychology was such a great experience. I am really thankful to be home in Toronto, but I loved living in Durham for those years."
While she misses being around the program each day, Ruby-Hill still keeps up with the current team as well as fellow rowing alumnae. She had planned to attend two meets as well as the ACC Championships in Clemson, S.C, prior to the remainder of this season being canceled. However, Ruby-Hill wants to remain as connected as she can to a program that she played a key role in establishing as one of the ACC's best.
"I still keep in touch with my old teammates in group texts and follow what the team is doing on social media. It's been awesome competing for Team Canada, but I definitely miss being on the team and around everyone every day."
#GoDuke
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