Men's Track and Field 9/5/2023 1:38:00 PM Drew Patrick, Director of Athletic Communications

Mansfield Names Rondell Ruff Head Track and Field Coach

MANSFIELD, Pa. - Rondell Ruff was named the next head coach of the Mansfield Mountaineers men's and women's track and field program, Athletic Director Peggy Carl announced on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Rondell Ruff to Mansfield and the Mountaineer family. Rondell brings a wealth of experience at both Division I and II institutions and understands what it takes to be successful in the PSAC." Stated Director of Athletics Peggy Carl. "His passion for Track & Field was evident and he will do a great job mentoring and coaching our student-athletes. He is a great fit for the department, and I am excited to work with him moving forward."

"I want to thank the hiring Committee and Peggy Carl for their belief in me and what I can provide for not only the young men and women of the track and field program, but also Mansfield University athletic department as a whole. I look forward to the opportunity to get in the community and make a positive impact. Throughout my career I've been able to nurture student-athletes to be the best versions for themselves and I'm positive that, together with the athletic staff, I will be able to do the same at Mansfield University." Ruff said. "I want to give special recognition to my wife, Jacqueline, for her continued support and belief in me. Being a coach's spouse is not an easy task, yet she does it with such grace and humility that I have no choice but to be the best version of myself. I am excited to work with the student-athletes at Mansfield University and look forward to building on the legacy of the track and field program."

"We are eager to welcome coach Rondell Ruff to the Mansfield Mountie family," said Bashar W. Hanna, president. "I look forward to seeing our student-athletes succeed under his leadership."

Ruff joins the Mounties after spending the past five years at the University of Detroit Mercy, where he was responsible for training the sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers, and relay teams. He was also a top recruiting coordinator.

He coached athletes to school records in the men's 60- and outdoor 100-meter dashes along with 110-hurdles and 4x100-meter relay. He is also responsible for coaching the 2023 Horizon League Indoor Championship Co-Athlete of the Meet and 2022 Indoor Horizon League Championship freshman of the meet. On the Women's side, he coached school records in the 60-, 200 indoor, 100, and 200 outdoor meter dashes, along with indoor and outdoor long jump and the 60- and 100-meter hurdles.

Ruff spent two seasons as head coach for men's and women's cross country and women's track and field at Wayne State from 2015-17. His teams earned USATFCCA All Academic Honors. His athletes broke 24 school records. He helped lead Karrington Seals to three All American honors in her career.

Prior to his stint at Wayne State, Ruff spent time at Army West Point as a track and field assistant, where he designed the training program for the men and women sprints and relays as well as the 800-meter run.

Ruff has also had career stops at Saint Francis University and his alma mater Michigan University.

Ruff was a four-year letter winner for Michigan cross country and track and field teams from 2002-06 and was captain for both squads in his final season.

A former walk-on at Michigan, Ruff won two Big Ten indoor distance medley relay titles (2002, 2005) before clinching the indoor national championship title in 2005, where he ran 2:56.3 in the opening 1200m leg. He received All-America accolades in the distance medley under coach Ron Warhurst as the quartet became the third relay team to join the list of NCAA Champions in Michigan's history.

Throughout his career, Ruff placed in the top-10 at four Big Ten indoor championships and two outdoor championships, including a first-place finish in the distance medley relay during his freshman year.

He is a 2006 graduate of Michigan with a degree in General Studies and earned his Master's in Educational Leadership and Administration from Saint Francis University in 2011.

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