Richard Ruggieri Named CRCA South Region Head Coach of the Year

May 27, 2009

Clemson, SC – For the second consecutive season, the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association has honored Clemson Head Coach Richard Ruggieri as the South Region Head Coach of the Year. In just his second season with the program, Ruggieri led the Tigers to the first-ever ACC Championship in school history and the first-ever team berth in the NCAA Rowing Championships.

In addition to being named the top coach in the region, Ruggieri was also named the ACC Coach of the Year. He led the Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+ to first-place finishes at the ACC regatta en route to becoming the first school to defeat Virginia for the conference title. Clemson recently finished second in the South region and sixth overall at the Aramark South/Central Sprints. The Tigers are currently ranked #12 in the nation and have been ranked as high as #10 during the season. A record four student-athletes earned All-ACC honors under Ruggieri this season, and four Tigers also garnered All-Region honors.

The Coach of the Year award is intended to recognize a head coach that has shown outstanding success during the current season, demonstrated great team improvement from the prior season, fulfilled team’s potential and demonstrated a high level of professionalism and integrity as a coach.

“I am thankful to coach a wonderful group of women at Clemson,” said Ruggieri. “Without the support of our University and the dedication of our athletes very little would be possible. It is an honor to be recognized by my peers and I am very thankful.”