Rueda Named CU Head Athletic Trainer
BOULDER ? Miguel Rueda has been named to the position of head athletic trainer for the University of Colorado, athletic director Mike Bohn announced Tuesday.
Rueda, 34, comes to CU from Fresno State University where he has been the Director of Sports Medicine since February 2001. At FSU, his primary responsibilities were the care and prevention of injuries for the football program and overseeing all areas of the Fresno State Sports Medicine Program.
Ironically, his first football game as Fresno State’s head trainer was in Boulder, as the Bulldogs played the Buffaloes in the Black Coaches Association Classic on August 26, 2001; FSU won the game, 24-22, and went on to climb into the nation’s top 10, until getting knocked off by Boise State, then coached by CU’s new man, Dan Hawkins. The Buffs rebounded from the loss to win the Big 12 title.
“I’m incredibly enthusiastic about being here in Colorado,” Rueda said. “I met with several administrators, coaches and athletes while interviewing for the position and was impressed at the caliber of their commitment to the school,” Rueda said.
Rueda previously had worked two years (1995-97) as a graduate assistant trainer for the Bulldogs while earning his master’s degree in exercise physiology.
He had rejoined the Fresno State staff from Towson University, where he served as an assistant athletic trainer from 1998 to 2001; he was the head trainer for football. Prior to Towson, Rueda spent time with the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League in 1997-98 and with Holy Cross in 1994-95. He also has extensive teaching experience, instructing classes ranging from sports medicine administration to basic athletic training courses over the past 10 years.
He received his undergraduate degree in athletic training from Boston University in 1994, and his master’s degree from Fresno State in 1997. Rueda is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association, the College Athletic Trainers Society and has American Red Cross CPR and First Aid certification.
Rueda is native of San Francisco, graduating from the city’s Jay Eugene McAteer High School where he lettered in cross country and track. He and his wife, Andrea, have three young children, two sons and a daughter.
Rueda (pronounced roo-A-duh) replaces Steve Willard, who resigned in July after seven years at Colorado to enter private business.