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Legendary Hall of Fame Coach, Don Ruh, Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

(L-R) Don Ruh, Sandi Ruh, Gold Medalist Bob Seagren, Mt. SAC Head Coach Doug Todd, Janet Todd
(L-R) Don Ruh, Sandi Ruh, Gold Medalist Bob Seagren, Mt. SAC Head Coach Doug Todd, Janet Todd
Posted: Jan 19, 2016

(Reno, NV)  Mt. SAC Hall of Fame Coach, Don Ruh, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in front of 3,000 pole vaulters, pole vault coaches and fans, at the 2016 National Pole Vault Summit in Reno, Nevada.  Ruh also made the Hall of Fame Induction Speech for his longtime friend and legendary coach, Tom Tellez.

Ruh was the Head Track & Field and Cross Country Coach at Mt. SAC for over three decades and was synonymous with the Mt. SAC Relays and Mt. SAC Cross Country invitational.  Ruh and his wife Sandi, also founded and continue to direct the LA84 Foundation/Mt. SAC Relays Youth Days Track and Field Program, which is the first and longest continuous grant of the LA84 Foundation, the legacy of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.  Since its’ inception in 1986, the program has exposed over 500,000 youth to the sport of track and field, through the programs “learn by doing” clinics and the annual Youth Days Track and Field Meet.

“Don Ruh was responsible for creating the greatest all-around community college track and field program in the nation.  His teams were always finishing at the top, but his impact through Mt. SAC Athletic Special Events, along with his many friendships throughout the world, made a tremendous impact on our sport, as well as his college, community, nation and Olympic Games,” replies Summit Founder and Director, Bob Fraley.  “The stories of his athletes and his work through the years, has kept traditions alive and fueled the dreams and hopes of the track and field community.”

Ruh was selected for this honor due to his long time involvement with the sport of track and field and his support of the pole vault.  Ruh himself has worked with a number of well-known pole vaulters through the years including;  Bob Seagren – Former world record holder/Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist/television personality, Kip Tellez – Current Professor at UC Santa Cruz/Son of legendary track and field coach, Tom Tellez and Tobie Hatfield – Current director of Nike’s Innovation Kitchen, designer of the Nike Free, Tiger Woods 15, Michael Johnson’s Gold Shoes. 

For more information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.