Ruth Pickett Thompson swam on the University of Michigan Synchronized Swim team from 1977-80. Pickett Thompson captained the 1977 and 1978 squads to a second place national finish. Pickett Thompson received the 1979 and 1980 Broderick Awards as the nation's top collegiate athlete in her sport. In 1981, she was given the Marie Hartwig Award as the top female athlete at the University of Michigan. In 1998, Pickett Thompson was honored with the Gerald R. Ford Award, in recognition of her excellence in scholarship, sport and society.

Pickett Thompson currently resides in Port Huron, Mi and works as a substitute teacher. She also teaches a youth Synchronized Swimming Class at the local YMCA. Pickett Thompson has three sons, two of whom attend U of M.