When Kristin Ross (GHS ’13) graduates in May from Binghamton University, State University of New York, she’ll have a Division I basketball career on her resume and in her memories. She’ll also be carrying a biology degree from a distinguished school along with a reputation for level-headed leadership on and off the court. Kristin, the daughter of Paula and Bill Ross, began developing her work ethic and calm leadership presence early.
Playing basketball nearly all her life to date, the 6-foot forward said, “Coach B. (Gorham Lady Rams Coach Laughn Berthiaume) is the one who got me to believe.” Earning a rare spot and playing time as a high school freshman, she recalled Berthiaume encouraging her to pursue her basketball potential. She laughed and recalled, “Coach B. would say, ‘This is what you’re about, and I’m going to get you there. I hope you’re on board.”
Creating a basketball highlight reel for colleges late in her junior year was a no-brainer. Her father knew about Binghamton’s basketball program, its academic rigor, and their coach was interested. She recalls Binghamton being the first college to offer her an official campus visit under the NCAA recruiting process. Last month the senior told the university paper, the BU Pipe Dream that, “Being from Maine, I’d never even heard of Binghamton.” To the Gorham Times she said, “A lot of people in Maine thought I went to college in New York City.” It was a match, and Ross was extended an offer the same day.
She has enjoyed college. Kristin occasionally ventured out to Ithaca and Syracuse for fun. But Ross also appreciates her time hiking around the university’s 600-acre nature preserve. Don’t take that to mean she is not focused on being a scholar-athlete. Ross has been a regular presence on America East Conference and University honor rolls, evidence of her commitment to academics.
“The WNBA wasn’t going to be my career choice,” she joked. As far as the time demands of basketball, during the season about 20-25 hours per week was the norm. In the off-season, conditioning averaged about eight hours per week, and then a few hours of pickup hoops. Summers were five weeks on campus, working out while taking two courses to lighten the academic schedule by a course per semester. With considerable travel during the season, good personal planning for class absences was vital, and all the student-athletes had access to a resource center to assist with academics, if needed.
Kristin appeared in 17 games as a freshman, including a start, uncommon floor time at that stage. Following that season, the coach that recruited her left, and Linda Cimino coached the remainder of Ross’ career. With 18 starts and 29 appearances as a sophomore, and a junior season with appearances in all 31 games, including 29 starts, Ross was an instrumental presence to the program’s turnaround under Cimino. Although she had less playing time as one of only three seniors, the program and her university recognized her vital contribution as a leader.
Photo credit Steve McLaughlinKristin Ross (GHS ’13) soaring above and beyond for Binghamton University against the University of Hartford as a sophomore.
She’s not only been profiled in the university paper for embracing her role on and off court, she was also selected to be the student speaker at a February Women’s Athletic Luncheon, sharing the lectern with Olympic Gold Medalist and WNBA standout Swin Cash. Ross’ speech included the following excerpt: “Playing basketball at the Division I level has been one of the most intense and rewarding experiences of my life…I became a wiser leader, a more compassionate friend, a more dedicated student and a stronger person.”
Giving the nod to Cimino, Ross told the Pipe Dream that, “The recruiting classes that Coach Cimino is bringing in are the big reason why we’re doing so well.” The genuine team player added in that interview, “I look at my role as being a calming presence on the court. I’m the person that’s a steady hand.” She attributes that presence to her father, Bill’s, example and tutelage. They’re both “good under pressure, a floor general,” she calmly explained.
Her biggest hoop highlight at Binghamton? When UMO came to town. She said, “It was just that kind of game where I did everything I needed to do.” The reporter thinks a close second highlight was the time Ross remained undetected while tying a teammates’ shoelaces to the loops on her warmup pants at the airport, resulting in a befuddled player assessing how to remove her shoes at the busy JFK security check.
As for the future, Kristin was admitted to all seven graduate programs in athletic training to which she applied. She’s decided to become a chiropractor instead. So, she’ll return to work at Frye’s Leap Café while she goes through the admissions process. She’ll continue to root for the Lady Rams’ basketball team next season and throughout her promising future.