Ohio State Adds Deana Ruggeri to Student Athlete Support Services Staff
12/11/2018 11:39:26 AM | General
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State University Department of Athletics brings a new face to the Student Athlete Support Services Office (SASSO) in Deana Ruggeri, who will serve as Associate Director for Football Academics. Ruggeri joins Ohio State after six years in the Student-Athlete Academic Services office at Florida State, most recently working as the Director of Football beginning in 2016.
“Deana Ruggeri joins us from a storied program and adds instant credibility and a wealth of knowledge to our football academic team,” Derek Cowherd, SASSO executive director and senior associate athletics director, said. “Her energy and passion for the student-athletes and engaging personality will be a great addition to our talented team. We are very much looking forward to her contributions to the program.”
Ruggeri received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science at Florida State in 2010 and completed a master’s in sports and exercise science with a concentration in sport leadership at Central Florida in 2011. She worked as an advisor and mentor at UCF before joining the Florida State academic services team.
“I am extremely excited to be the newest member of the SASSO and Ohio State staff,” Ruggeri said. “To me, this means that I have the opportunity to work with some of the best in the field to create amazing programs and structure for the success of our football student-athletes.”
Ruggeri seeks to bring new energy to the department from her experience in some of the top athletic programs. She will add to a football squad that boasts an Academic All-American and 28 Academic All-Big Ten honorees, the most of OSU’s fall sports.
“I have been through coaching changes and a variety of experiences with student-athletes, just as the folks at SASSO have, and I hope we can combine all that we have done to make something special for student-athletes at Ohio State,” Ruggeri said. “Everyone has been beyond friendly and welcoming. It has been great to meet so many new people and to learn how deep the love runs for Columbus and the Buckeyes.”
