Days after coaching the Westmont College baseball team in its first NAIA World Series, head coach Robert Ruiz has stepped down to take the position as the college’s director of athletics, Westmont announced Tuesday.
Ruiz will replace Dave Odell, who moves into the position of executive director of athletics. Odell has served as the college’s director of athletics on a part-time basis since 2009. Ruiz was an associate athletic director.
The move was made as part of the process of Westmont transforming into a NCAA Division 2 athletic program.
Westmont has been a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Many of its former NAIA and conference rivals, including Biola, Point Loma, Azusa Pacific, Concordia-Irvine and Fresno Pacific, converted to NCAA Division 2.
Ruiz’s promotion is an important part in Westmont’s application.
“Robert was an easy choice to assume leadership over the day-to-day, full-time athletic director responsibilities as required as part of our application for NCAA Division II membership,” Odell told Westmont’s Ron Smith, the sports information director. “I am excited to see how Robert will advance Westmont’s athletic department and lead our transition.”
In his new position, Odell will focus on athletics strategic planning, fundraising and coach development. He also plans to continue his work with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
He hired Ruiz as the baseball coach in the summer of 2009. Ruiz has built the Westmont program into a perennial NAIA top-25 team and post-season contender.
The Warriors advanced to their first NAIA World Series in program history and won a record 45 games this season. They went 45-13 and won a share of the Golden State Athletic Conference regular-season title.
“It has been an incredible honor and privilege to lead the Warrior baseball program over the last 13 seasons,” Ruiz told Smith. “I have been blessed with lifelong relationships that were forged through hard work, sacrifice and dedication to the building of this program. I am so grateful that Westmont took a chance on a young coach without much experience in 2009. This job has most certainly changed my life for the good.”
Ruiz leaves the position with a record of 397-263-1 and has had numerous players go on to play professionally.
Odell said that before hiring Ruiz, there was consideration of dropping the program.
“Robert essentially saved the program through his commitment to leadership and character development,” he said. “Robert has demonstrated that he has the blueprint for how we want all of our athletic programs to flourish. He has established himself as a strong leader in our department for several years.”
Ruiz is excited about the opportunity to lead the athletic department.
“I am eager to work with a very skilled, dedicated and motivated group of coaches and administrators to continue to develop our athletic program as we prepare for our next chapter,” he said. “I have been quite fortunate to work under Dave Odell and learn from him. I hope to continue the tradition of excellence that he has established in my time as baseball coach and associate athletic director.
“I expect to continue to live out the mission of the college in our athletic programs, develop resources for our coaches and student-athletes, and prepare our department to successfully navigate the transition to NCAA Division II if we are accepted into the provisional membership process.
“I would like to thank Dave Odell for mentoring me as a coach and as an administrator. I look forward to working alongside him in this new role. I would also like to thank President (Gayle) Beebe for his support and for entrusting me with this important leadership role.”
Beebe praised Ruiz for his job of raising the level of the baseball program: “During his time at Westmont, Robert has transformed our baseball program into the excellence-pursuing program that is a hallmark of everything Robert does. We look forward to his leadership and service in this new capacity and we are grateful for his commitment.”
Ruiz said of the program he built: “There is something so rewarding about being a part of something bigger than yourself, knowing that you’re leaving it better than it was when you got there. Westmont baseball has been that for me and I am humbled that God has allowed me to be a small part of something that has rewarded so many people. The future is bright for Westmont baseball and I am eager to continue to pour into its growth from this new role.”
Westmont’s search for a new baseball head coach has already begun. Interested individuals should contact Ruiz via email.