Kaimon Rucker
NORTH CAROLINA DEFENSIVE LINEMAN NAMED GO BOWLING
MILITARY BOWL STEM SCHOLAR-ATHLETE
University of North Carolina defensive lineman Kaimon Rucker, a graduate student with a degree in psychology, has been named a Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete for the third consecutive year.
Rucker, who is from Hartwell, Ga., graduated with a 2.94 grade-point average and is currently enrolled in UNC’s master of applied professional studies program. He aspires to be a sports psychologist.
Rucker’s focus on psychology stems from a passion for mental health. He has participated in several related projects, including the Mental Health Ted Talks that North Carolina’s sports psychology department organizes. Rucker also attended the ACC Unity Tour and is on the North Carolina Football Leadership Council. As a member of the ACC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Executive Board, he focused his attention on student-athlete mental health. For 2023 and 2024, Rucker was awarded the ACC Top Six in Service award for his work in the community.
“Kaimon is an incredible person, student, mentor, teammate and leader,” North Carolina assistant director/football academic counselor Kathy Zambrana said. “He always puts others before himself and this stems from his passion and dedication for mental health. He understands how important mental health is for all and, in particular, for athletes. He has used his platform to impact the community in so many meaningful ways and sees psychology as an important way to make a difference in people’s lives. He understands the direct link between STEM and psychology and how it can be used to impact the community.”
The Go Bowling Military Bowl is proud to announce the members of the fourth annual STEM Scholar-Athlete Program, recognizing some of the brightest minds competing on the gridiron in the ACC and the American Athletic Conference.
“The Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete Program honors an amazing group of young men who truly showcase what it means to be a student-athlete,” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “We are thrilled to honor this group of talented players for their success on and off the field while continually challenging themselves in the classroom.”
The Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete Program honors one football player at each university that is a member of the ACC and the American Athletic Conference – the two conferences that are represented in the Go Bowling Military Bowl college football game. These players are studying STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) subjects and/or aspire to STEM careers.
The two players whose teams compete in the 2024 Go Bowling Military Bowl will be recognized at the game, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 28 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. Kickoff is at 5:45 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ESPN. Bowl tickets are on sale now. A donation will be made in the name of these two players to their respective school’s general scholarship fund.