Borough of Manhattan Community College Athletics

Matt Ruiz begins his third season as the Director of Athletics & Recreation at the Borough of Manhattan Community College after beginning his tenure on July 19, 2021.

In two years, Ruiz has made a lasting impact on the Panther's Athletic Program as a part of his five-year plan, already bringing BMCC to the top of the pack in The City of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) by his second season as he set out to from his hire during the summer of 2021. Ruiz has hit the ground running rebuilding the BMCC culture, being tasked with hiring six new head coaches for men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, and the cross country programs with impressive resumes to produce and maintain championship-caliber programs. 

The results have paid off, with the Panthers coming out with a bang in the fall of the 2022-23 Athletic Season, capturing a league-best 13th CUNYAC Community College Men's Soccer Championship and the women's volleyball program's first CUNYAC Community College Championship since 2006 over six-time defending champion Queensborough Community College. The women's and men's basketball programs also took leaps in year two, increasing their win totals and making the 2022-23 CUNYAC Basketball Championship for the first time since the 2018-19 season. In addition, four programs during the 2022-23 Athletic Season made it to the Region 15 playoffs, with the women's volleyball team advancing to the semifinals for the first time since 2017.
 
The Panther's success in year two under Ruiz led to 81 points in the 2022-23 CUNYAC Community College Commissioners Cup, landing the program its conference-best 13th cup and the first since 2018-19. 
 
In addition to his responsibilities at BMCC, Ruiz also serves as the Region 15 Women's Volleyball chair tasked with coordinating the site, travel, and budget for the Region XV Women's Volleyball Championship.
 
Upon his arrival, Ruiz was ecstatic to return to BMCC after eight years. "I am extremely excited to be back at BMCC. I want to thank VP Craig, Dean Hutmaker, and every part of the search committee for giving me a chance to return to BMCC as the Athletic Director," said Ruiz.
 
Ruiz rejoins BMCC Athletics from fellow NJCAA Region 15 institution, Fashion Institute of Technology, bringing ten-plus years of experience to the helm after helping to oversee the Tigers' nine varsity programs and more than 200 student-athletes. 
 
Before his stint at FIT, he was the Assistant Director for Athletics and Recreation at Raritan Valley Community College (NJ), overseeing department compliance, business operations, and game day administration. 
 
He also served as Assistant to the Athletic Director & Sports Information Director at Borough of Manhattan Community College from 2011-2013, overseeing game-day and business operations while assisting with compliance. 
 
Ruiz earned a Master's Degree in Sports Management from St. Johns University and is looking forward to bringing his extensive NJCAA experience and energy to growing the Panther's Athletics over the coming years. 
 
Matthew currently resides in Long Island, NY, with his wife, Dina, and their three daughters, Dina, Catherine, and Valentina.