Carruth inducted into St. Lawrence University Hall of Fame

CANTON, N.Y. — Priest River head boys soccer coach Ryan Carruth, who scored the game-winning goal for the NCAA Division III Saints in the 1999 national championship game, was inducted into The St. Lawrence University Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, May 31, at Appleton Arena.

According to a report by the SLU Sports Information Department, Carruth sits 10th in the program’s record books with 67 career points and is tied for sixth in program history with 29 goals. In addition to winning the national championship in 1999, the Saints were also undefeated, and Carruth, a forward, led the way with 30 points and 13 goals that season. His 13 goals in a season are the third most for a Saint in program history, while his 30 points is seventh. For his efforts during the 1999 campaign, Carruth was named a Second-Team All-American and was the team's MVP. The 1999 SLU boys soccer team was eventually inducted into the University’s Hall of Fame in 2013. Overall, while Carruth was on the team, the Saints at one point had amassed an impressive 60-game win streak spanning between three seasons.

Carruth wanted to thank his college coach, Bob Durocher, for all he has done for the team. Durocher, who was most recently the Senior Associate Vice President for Athletics at SLU, has announced his intention to retire from his role after nine years. 

“Durocher was a great recruiter and the culture that was built up there was extraordinary,” Carruth said. “To go back was an opportunity to express my gratitude. Durocher was like a father figure to me. He is one of those unique coaches who had all the skills on the field — coaching abilities, methodologies, tactical understandings — but who he was as a human, how much he invested into everything, was special.”

Carruth said he was a bit surprised to receive the honor, considering how many talented players have come through the program during his time as a Saint.

“We had a long line of Division I players who turned down scholarships to play at St. Lawrence,” Carruth said. “We produced 12 professional players during that time … it was like a soccer factory. I was definitely humbled to receive the call. It’s a once in a lifetime thing.”

A native of Boulder, Colo., Carruth started coaching after college at schools such as St. Lawrence, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (NCAA Division III), UC Riverside (NCAA Division I) and San Diego State University (NCAA Division I). He has also worked for some of the top youth clubs in Southern California including San Diego Surf, Albion SC, and FC Golden State. Now in Priest River, Carruth is looking to inspire the next generation of Spartan soccer players.

“The reward of investing in something you love, and truly going for it, pouring yourself into it — whether it’s soccer or school or anything else — is always going to be worth it,” Carruth said. “Nothing is going to be easy … it’s okay to care, to not be afraid. I want to inspire young people around here to get after it no matter the reason.”

Carruth said confidence, personal growth, and friendships are all a great reason to be committed and "get after it," noting how such characteristics are vital to one’s development as a person and player. He’s excited for another season of Priest River boys soccer and hopes he can take the team to new heights.

“I love these guys, they're great kids,” Carruth said. “I’m excited to go out there again and see them compete this season. I want to push them, but also want to create memories. A big thing for me is sportsmanship and how we conduct ourselves on and off the field. No matter what happens, we’ll always leave our opponent with their dignity and treat the referees with respect. At the end of the day, I want the hotel staff to say ‘hey, what a bunch of gentlemen’ or the refs to say we are a class act … Life first, soccer second.”

Ultimately, Carruth wanted to thank God for the position he is in today.

“I want to thank God for the opportunity to be an athlete,” Carruth said. “I feel like God has blessed me with experiences, personality and athleticism so that I can give back and share. I just want to give back what I can to the community.”

    From left, Robin Durocher, Bob Durocher, Hannah Carruth and Ryan Carruth are all smiles at the HOF induction ceremony. Bob was the SLU boys soccer coach for a total of 25 years.