Ruger selected to lead USAV beach operations U
SA Volleyball has a hired a “straight shooter” to head its beach volleyball
operation.
John Ruger, a former Olympic athlete in the biathlon, was named senior director, beach operations, in March and will begin his new du- ties on April 13 in the Torrance, Calif., office. Ruger comes to USA Volleyball most recently from the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), where he served as the athlete om- budsman from 1999-2014.
“I am looking forward to implementing the
USAV Board of Directors’ strategic plan and working with the great staff in place at the Cali- fornia beach office,” said Ruger, who currently lives in Boulder, Colo.
“This gives me a chance to lead a team at a great national governing body. We will operate with an athlete-first philosophy.”
As the first USOC athlete ombudsman, Ru-
ger worked on more than 8,000 cases covering a wide range of athlete- rights issues including Olympic trials criteria, anti-doping and SafeSport. “I have known John for many years and worked closely with him on a range of issues. I am excited to have him join our USAV team,” said CEO Doug Beal. “He will bring a differ- ent background and perspective to the growth and development of the beach department and beach discipline within USAV.” “The USA Volleyball Board of Directors looks forward to working closely with John and taking full advantage of his expertise in the world of international sport,” said Lori Okimura, chair of the USAV Board. “We are confident that John’s past experience with the USOC and his expert knowledge about athlete- related issues will help us enhance many areas
of our beach volleyball programs and services.”
Ruger competed at the 1980 Olym-
pic Winter Games in biathlon and was a biathlon national team coach from 1987-89.
“Our beach department has had ex- traordinary growth and success the past eight years,” Beal said. “I know John will continue that progress as we head toward Rio, as well as welcome beach becoming an NCAA championship sport for women and we engage more of our regions in the beach discipline with increasing focus by our junior clubs.” USA Volleyball beach athletes have won at least one gold medal at every Olympic Games since the discipline was added in 1996. U.S. beach teams have also won four FIVB world championship gold medals, four silver and four bronze since the event started in 1997.
“He will bring a different background and perspective to the growth and development of the
beach department and beach discipline within USAV.” Doug Beal, USA Volleyball CEO
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