July 24, 2007

The University of Texas-Pan American Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Tuesday (July 24) that JoAnna Ruiz has been named the assistant athletic trainer for the Broncs and Lady Broncs.

"I'm excited to take the job here at UTPA," said Ruiz. "Working at the collegiate level has always been a goal of mine and I'm exciting about what I can do for the athletic department here at Pan Am. It's a privilege to work with Jim, he has taught me a lot and I'm glad that I've got the opportunity to work with him."

"I'm glad that she sought within her heart and her aspirations to come back to UTPA," said assistant athletic director for sports medicine Jim Lancaster. "To have a student-trainer do what she has done and come back to us is a great thing. I'm excited about having her, she's seen our program, she knows how we work, and she knows the situation so there isn't that much of a learning curve for her to come in or for me with a new assistant."

Ruiz rejoins UTPA after serving as a student-athletic trainer at Texas Tech University. During her time at Texas Tech, Ruiz was primarily responsible for all the athletic training duties for the Lady Raiders basketball team. She was also responsible for accommodating visiting exhibition and Big XII women's basketball teams.

The newly-named assistant athletic trainer documented clearance charts for team physicians during mass sports physicals and she assisted with women's volleyball and men's and women's tennis events for the Lady Raiders.

In the fall of 2005, Ruiz served as an athletic training representative for Texas Tech University during Hurricane Katrina where she was able to help Tulane University's women's basketball program. Ruiz gain professional experience with the National Women's Basketball League in Lubbock, TX where she served as an intern host athletic trainer for visiting league teams.

"JoAnna brings a whole new group of ides from her previous experience at Texas Tech," said Lancaster. "Anytime you can bring someone in that has other experiences, it complements your program. We're excited about getting started."

During her undergraduate days at UTPA, Ruiz was apart of the sports medicine internship program which was responsible for daily training room coverage for all 14 Division I athletic teams. She also was in charge of assessing athletic injuries and providing coverage at home and away events.

The newly-named assistant athletic trainer is a certified athletic trainer by the National Athletic Trainer's Association, and is a Licensed Athletic Trainer for the Texas Department of Health.

Ruiz graduated from The University of Texas-Pan American in May of 2004 with a major in kinesiology and a minor in health. She also earned her master's degree in athletic training in May of 2006.

Ruiz began her duties as assistant athletic trainer at the start of the summer.

UTPA Sports Information