Janice Ruggiero

Janice Ruggiero has had a colorful and successful career in athletics and it hasn’t finished yet! It all started back at Eldorado High School with coach Don Flanagan, basketball and softball. As a standout player in both sports (receiving national recognition) she was recruited by UNM and played for two years in the women’s basketball program before it was disbanded. Because of her success, Hawaii recruited her and Ruggiero played for two years.

After returning to Albuquerque, Janice gained her B.A. in Marketing & General Management in 1989 then quickly embarked to the administration side of athletics in the UNM business office. However, once the women’s basketball program was reinstated at UNM in 1991, she became the assistant coach. Two years later, Janice became an academic advisor then moved to compliance for four years. While doing this she also became a member of the NCAA Div. I Women’s Basketball Committee, a very much sought after and demanding position. Janice managed to balance these demands and a family life successfully.

Moving up the administration ladder, Janice completed her M.S. in Sport Administration, then was highly recommended for the position of Associate Director of Athletics for Student Welfare. This is now Janice’s 18th year at UNM and 9th as UNM’s Senior Woman Administrator which involves being the lead administrator for volleyball, women’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf and softball. In addition, she oversees UNM’s training room, academic advisement and compliance.

Janice has also been Past President of the Alumni Lettermen’s Board of Directors and in 2009 was elected to the Div. I NCAA Legislation Committee.

As a result of her success Janice is widely respected throughout the Mountain West Conference. Her love of UNM, the state and commitment to student-athletes is overwhelming. Often people refer to Janice as the best athletics administrator in the nation. She is definitely an inspiration to all women in athletics.

Janice is married to Lenny and they have two sons; Leonard Jordan (L.J.) and Alex.