University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Born to Be a Bulldog: Luke Ruecker
03.20.2025 | Men's Tennis
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Luke Ruecker knew from an early age that he wanted to be a UNC Asheville Bulldog.
Growing up in nearby Burnsville, N.C., Luke was homeschooled with his three siblings and in his younger days became, and still is an avid chess player. Ruecker first picked up a tennis racket at eight years old, attending a tennis clinic for his brother's birthday at Mountain Heritage High School.
"From that day forth, I felt that tennis was something that I enjoyed and would want to continue to play as I got older," said Ruecker.
After falling in love with the sport completely, Ruecker ventured up to the Asheville Racquet Club to see the Bulldogs take on Clemson.
"I loved their style of tennis," said Ruecker. "Watching a Bulldog match, I loved the intensity and the energy that the team brought."
Ruecker eventually saw things come full circle when he committed to UNC Asheville to play tennis for the Bulldogs.
"I felt a massive weight had been lifted off my shoulders as I had accomplished a major goal in my life," recalls Ruecker. "One of the main reasons UNC Asheville was my dream school is because of my Christian faith and knowing that I would be accepted by the campus community regardless of my beliefs. It was also my dream school because of being a part of the tennis program as a competitor rather than merely a spectator."
The Bulldogs are 9-4 on the season headed toward Big South Conference play ready to defend last year's conference tournament championship. Ruecker holds a 2-0 record in singles play through his first year of competition. Ruecker is relishing every minute of being a part of his dream program at his dream school.
"I feel that I am living the dream and that I am on the right path in my life," said Ruecker.
"Luke is the epitome of a UNC Asheville Bulldog!" said head coach Matt Frost. "He understands his responsibility as a student-athlete and is hungry to get after the opportunity that I feel honored to have provided him. Luke is an asset to our program and our local Asheville tennis fans are as excited to see his journey as I am!"
On the heels of conference tournament titles won by both the men's and women's programs last season, UNC Asheville has begun the project of a new on-campus tennis facility to house the tennis teams.
"It will mean a lot to us to get to compete on campus and receive support from all of our peers," said Ruecker on the project.
Ruecker is a current business major at UNC Asheville, enjoying the everyday balance between academics and tennis. He hopes to leave as positive an impact as he can on the campus and the tennis program.Â
"I hope to have become the best tennis player that I ever could have been and that I have left a positive influence on as many peers as possible."
The Bulldogs (9-4) return to the courts on Friday (Mar. 21) to host Elon in non-conference action. First serve is set for 1:00 p.m. from the Asheville Racquet Club Downtown. Â
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Growing up in nearby Burnsville, N.C., Luke was homeschooled with his three siblings and in his younger days became, and still is an avid chess player. Ruecker first picked up a tennis racket at eight years old, attending a tennis clinic for his brother's birthday at Mountain Heritage High School.
"From that day forth, I felt that tennis was something that I enjoyed and would want to continue to play as I got older," said Ruecker.
After falling in love with the sport completely, Ruecker ventured up to the Asheville Racquet Club to see the Bulldogs take on Clemson.
"I loved their style of tennis," said Ruecker. "Watching a Bulldog match, I loved the intensity and the energy that the team brought."
Ruecker eventually saw things come full circle when he committed to UNC Asheville to play tennis for the Bulldogs.
"I felt a massive weight had been lifted off my shoulders as I had accomplished a major goal in my life," recalls Ruecker. "One of the main reasons UNC Asheville was my dream school is because of my Christian faith and knowing that I would be accepted by the campus community regardless of my beliefs. It was also my dream school because of being a part of the tennis program as a competitor rather than merely a spectator."
The Bulldogs are 9-4 on the season headed toward Big South Conference play ready to defend last year's conference tournament championship. Ruecker holds a 2-0 record in singles play through his first year of competition. Ruecker is relishing every minute of being a part of his dream program at his dream school.
"I feel that I am living the dream and that I am on the right path in my life," said Ruecker.
"Luke is the epitome of a UNC Asheville Bulldog!" said head coach Matt Frost. "He understands his responsibility as a student-athlete and is hungry to get after the opportunity that I feel honored to have provided him. Luke is an asset to our program and our local Asheville tennis fans are as excited to see his journey as I am!"
On the heels of conference tournament titles won by both the men's and women's programs last season, UNC Asheville has begun the project of a new on-campus tennis facility to house the tennis teams.
"It will mean a lot to us to get to compete on campus and receive support from all of our peers," said Ruecker on the project.
Ruecker is a current business major at UNC Asheville, enjoying the everyday balance between academics and tennis. He hopes to leave as positive an impact as he can on the campus and the tennis program.Â
"I hope to have become the best tennis player that I ever could have been and that I have left a positive influence on as many peers as possible."
The Bulldogs (9-4) return to the courts on Friday (Mar. 21) to host Elon in non-conference action. First serve is set for 1:00 p.m. from the Asheville Racquet Club Downtown. Â
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Players Mentioned
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