Ruh family extends their Mt. SAC legacy to the new Heritage Hall education center

If you’ve encountered Mt. SAC athletics over the past 60 years, you’ve likely heard of the Ruhs. Don Ruh began his Mt. SAC career in 1963 as a professor and coach of the men's track and field and cross country programs. His wife Sandi worked in auxiliary services. Their children grew up at Mt. SAC and eventually all four attended the College. Now their son Marc is the assistant athletic director and head men’s aquatics coach. It’s a legacy worth enshrining, and that’s why the education center at Heritage Hall will be named the Ruh Family Education Center. “My dad has always taught us how important it is to give back, through time, talent, and treasure,” said Marc. 

When the Ruh kids—Chrys, Marc, Heidi, and Erika—say they “grew up at Mt. SAC,” it is almost literal. Since both their parents worked there, they spent a lot of time on the campus. Marc and his older sister Chrys learned to swim in the original pool and were charter members of a youth swimming club there. Sandi worked as the secretary for the storied Mt. SAC relays while Don worked to build and strengthen the track and field and cross country programs. He started women’s teams for both track and cross country. He wanted to “build upon what Hilmer Lodge started,” said Marc. 

Sandi and Don Ruh

By the time Don retired in 1993, he, Marc (who had just been hired as an adjunct faculty member and head coach for the men's and women's swimming programs and men's water polo), and others in the athletic department had begun discussing the need for a building like Heritage Hall that would house and showcase the rich history of Mt. SAC athletics and inspire future generations to continue the legacy. They started a collaboration with the Foundation to make this dream a reality. Don himself has “worked tirelessly to bring in other donors” over the past 29 years, said Marc.

Indeed, the Ruhs took this on as a passion project. Marc and Don were especially inspired when the idea of a dedicated education center inside Heritage Hall became part of the plan. “We knew it was going to be built, and we both felt like we wanted to merge our resources to send a message to others that this was going to be an amazing project. We felt so strongly about it that we, as a family, wanted to be lead donors,” said Marc. “We decided that we would match each other's gifts to get to a level where we could name that portion of the building after my parents. They did not want it named after them, though, because they are too humble for that, so we agreed to the family name.” This familial game of one-upmanship resulted in a $100,000 gift to Mt. SAC Athletics, and now we are finally just months away from the opening of the Ruh Family Education Center at Heritage Hall.

The education center will comprise one-third of Heritage Hall. It will have space available to the public for meetings, clinics, etc. and banquet halls so that each of the 23 Mt. SAC sports teams can have their team banquets on campus. It will also host the Mt. SAC athletics hall of fame induction ceremony each year. “It will be a location to host an event surrounded by all that typifies what Mt. SAC and the athletics area teach on a daily basis: dedication, perseverance, discipline, respect, commitment, and teamwork,” said Marc. “The idea is that when you come here, you should be inspired to accomplish great things.” 

For a family whose whole life was and is Mt. SAC, this education center is a fitting tribute, and the Ruh family remains grateful to Mt. SAC for the opportunities the College offered this family. “The Ruh family has been blessed with the opportunity to contribute to Mt. SAC for almost 60 years now,” said Marc, noting that his wife is also a Mt. SAC alumna and current professor here and his children hold the same reverence for the College that he and his siblings and parents do. Typical of his humbleness, Don puts the focus on Mt. SAC rather than on himself or his family, who have contributed so much to make the College what it is today. “This was our chance to celebrate Mt. SAC’s place in athletic history and the exciting future ahead,” he said.