Riparian Highlights - Spring 2009: Learning The Art of Soccer with Charlie Rugg

An award-winning portrait artist, he’s been taking drawing and painting classes all four years at Rivers and has what teacher Catelin Mathers-Suther describes as “an amazing eye and an almost photographic understanding of space.” He won a first-place award at last year’s Small Independent School Arts League (SISAL) show, as well as a prestigious Boston Globe Gold Key Award this year. “You could profile him on just his art or just his athletics,” says Robert Pipe, who has been his soccer coach at Rivers for four years. “He’s a special kid in many different ways.”

 

Rugg’s first and still strongest passion, however, is soccer, which he has been playing since 3rd grade. A casual player in elementary school, he got more serious about the sport in 6th grade when he joined the FC Greater Boston Bolts club team under Boston University assistant coach Francis Okaroh. Rugg credits Pipe and Okaroh as important mentors for developing his game.

 

“Before 9th grade I had physical speed, but I didn’t really know that much about soccer,” says Rugg. “My coaches helped me develop the skills that I needed mentally – like staying focused and making the right decisions on the field.”

 

This past season was a successful one for the Red Wings, as Rugg led the team to a second-place finish in ISL and a spot at the finals of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) tournament. Rugg’s athletic prowess garnered considerable attention from college scouts, with schools ranging from Boston University to the University of Connecticut vying to offer him scholarships. He ultimately elected to stay close to home at Boston College. “It’s a perfect fit for me,” he says. “It’s a great school, academically, and they really support athletes there.”

 

And while he’s open to pursuing art in college, he speaks cautiously when discussing his future plans. “Going pro is always in the back of my mind,” he says, unveiling a smile just ambiguous enough to make you wonder which profession he might be referring to...