JANICE RUGGIERO NAMED ACTING DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — UNM Interim President Chaouki Abdallah has appointed Janice Ruggiero, Deputy Athletic Director for Internal Operations & Senior Woman Administrator, to serve as acting Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, effective immediately, until the position is permanently filled.

“I have every confidence in Janice’s ability to lead our programs,” Abdallah said. “It is an honor to be able to appoint the first woman to oversee all of UNM athletics.”

Ruggiero is a native Hispanic New Mexican and lifelong Lobo. She played high school basketball under legendary former Lobo Coach Don Flanigan, before playing at UNM for three seasons. She received her degree in business from UNM in 1989, and her masters in Sports Administration in 1997. She began working in Athletics in 1990, and has spent the past 27 years as a coach, advisor, compliance officer and administrator, supervising nearly every sport and every division in the department. She was named as one of the top 10 Senior Woman Administrators by College AD, as well as being on numerous NCAA committees.

“I would like to thank President Abdallah for this opportunity,” said Ruggiero. “As a lifelong Lobo – in the classroom, on the court and as an administrator – I am excited to take on this new endeavor. I would also like to thank Paul Krebs for his vision for Lobo Athletics, and for advancing the Department in the areas of academics, competitiveness and facility improvements. Our student-athletes have benefited greatly under his leadership.”

Abdallah stated that a search for Krebs’ replacement will begin within the month, and that UNM “will seek to build upon the strong foundation Paul Krebs helped establish and select a new leader to set the course for our Lobo athletics programs.” Vice President for Athletics Paul Krebs, who announced his retirement last week, will be on accrued annual leave through the end of the month.