Growing up as an athlete, most individuals have that one collegiate or professional player that they look up to and want to be like one day. Junior women’s soccer player Rebecca Rube (Louisville, KY) was no different as a young girl, and has learned the importance of having a strong role-model in her life. For this reason, Rube has volunteered her time by joining the University of the Cumberlands’ mentoring program and has been a part of a young teenager’s life for the past two years.

Rube has been a stand-out performer on the soccer field for the past three years, claiming First-Team Mid-South Conference honors in 2006 and Honorable Mention in 2007. Also during the 2007 season, Rube helped lead her fellow Patriots to an overall 16-5 record and both conference and region tournament post-season action. Currently, Rube is the third all-time leading goal scorer that Cumberlands has ever seen, tallying 38 goals during her three year career. During the 2007 season, Rube managed to find the back of the net 18 times in only 21 games.

However, Rube has managed to find other areas that also needed her knowledge and talent. During her sophomore year at the University of the Cumberlands, Rube decided to sign up with the school’s mentoring program. This organization gathers volunteers who want to make a profound difference in the life of young people in the local community. Following a week of special training, the volunteers are matched with area middle-school students whom they mentor in academic, athletic, social, or service activities.

Rube is currently matched up with a 13-year-old, eighth grade girl that attends Whitley County Middle School. She has been involved in this teenager’s life throughout the 2006-2007 school year, as well as the 2007-2008 year. Rube also plans to mentor the same young lady during the next school year as she completes her senior year.

Rube usually gets to see her mentored student once every week or two. “We usually go to dinner or watch a movie on the weekends,” states Rube, “but I usually get to talk to her on the phone a couple times a week.”

Rube has thoroughly enjoyed working with this young lady and is excited about having her all year during the 2008-2009 school year. “We come from two completely different environments, since I am from Louisville and she lives in Williamsburg; however, I am fortunate enough to be able to relate to some of the things she goes through at school,” adds Rube. “She talks to me about boys all the time, and she has even called me when she is dealing with difficult situations.”

Once she has graduated from high school, Rube’s mentored student wants to attend the University of the Cumberlands and play volleyball as a Patriot. “It is exciting to see that she looks up to me,” comments Rube. “I just hope that I have had a positive influence on her because this experience has been extremely uplifting and rewarding for me.”

For any Cumberlands’ students that are currently thinking about joining the mentoring program, Rube strongly encourages that you sign up. “It takes a lot of free time, but it is definitely worth it,” explains Rube. “Just knowing that you are helping someone else to grow and find their own way is enough.”

Rube plans to graduate from the University of the Cumberlands in May 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications and a minor in Social Work.

Article provided by Kim Hamby, University of the Cumberlands Sports Information Student Assistant