Former Rider University cross country and track & field student-athlete and current United States Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan '21 has been credited with rescuing nearly 200 people in the deadly Central Texas flash floods this past weekend. In the first rescue mission of his career, Petty Officer 3^rd Class Ruskan has been singled out by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for his efforts.

 


Ruskan was a three-time MAAC All-Academic Team honoree at Rider. He twice earned All-East honors in the 4x800 relay, once each in the indoor (2020) and outdoor seasons (2021). Ruskan also won gold with the 4x800 relay team at 2021 MAAC Outdoor Championships, while taking silver in the 3,000 meter steeplechase in 2021. On November 10, 2020, during Ruskan's senior year at Rider, he enlisted in the Coast Guard in a ceremony on the campus mall.