California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

A four-year starting and three-time all-conference quarterback for the football team from 2004 through 2007, Joe Ruggiero's precision passing aimed the way for the program's emergence as a national power in NCAA Division II.

After guiding the Vulcans to an average of 46 points per game, Ruggiero suffered a season-ending injury early in the fourth game of his freshman season.

Before breaking his leg at Clarion, Ruggiero had passed for 779 yards and seven touchdowns in just three games but suddenly his priorities changed.

"That was pretty heartbreaking and I thought my career was over after that," said Ruggiero, who was a 2003 redshirt. "Really the rehab at first was just about trying to be able to walk again."

Remarkably, he recovered in 2005 to pass for 2,200 yards with 20 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Ruggiero directed the offense to a school-record 42.1 points per game average and the Vulcans won eight games and their first PSAC West title in 21 years. Cal U tied the 1920 team with a school-record 88 points in a victory at Mansfield with 757 total yards, numbers which still rank second and fifth, respectively, in the PSAC record book.

Ruggiero reminisced that he did not even think about playing that season until he arrived at training camp that August and offensive coordinator Mike Kellar asked what he thought.

"It just kind of just happened," Ruggiero said. "For me, it was good just to be back on the field and everything after the broken leg was just a bonus because as I said I did not think I would play again."

The following year, Ruggiero passed for 2,118 yards with 15 touchdowns, five interceptions and his 65.4 completion percentage (178-of-272) remains 11th-best in PSAC history. The Vulcans repeated as PSAC West champions and again won eight games. Cal U again led the PSAC in total offense, averaging 417.9 yards per game. Along with another first-team all-conference honor, Ruggiero was a Harlon Hill Trophy regional finalist for the award given to the top player in NCAA Division II.

In 2007, Ruggiero passed for 2,365 yards and a then-school record 25 touchdowns while leading the Vulcans to a 13-1 overall record and the team's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Playoffs. After achieving the program's first undefeated regular season in 49 years, Cal won two playoff games and advanced to its first of three-straight national semifinal appearances. Ruggiero earned his third all-conference accolade at season's end. The 13 victories by Cal U remain a single-season school record and PSAC record along with two other teams.

"It seemed like each game one area would just pick it up if we were struggling or not performing so well somewhere else," said Ruggiero. "We were really just a total team that just had each other's back every game.

"It really was a group effort."

The Vulcans rolled up more than 500 offensive yards in playoff victories over Southern Connecticut State (43-7) and Shepherd (58-38).

"We simply could not be stopped in those two playoff games and I remember coming to the sideline and telling our coaches that I feel like everyone is open, every play is working, and everything was just clicking," Ruggiero recalled.

He finished his career with 7,462 passing yards and 67 touchdown passes, which both still rank second in school history. Those figures along with his career 63.4 completion percentage, 611 completions and 963 attempts rank among the conference's top 20 all-time marks.

Ruggiero helped the Vulcans compile a 29-6 cumulative record and a 16-2 PSAC West mark during the final three seasons of his career under head coach John Luckhardt.

"Joe was so picture perfect with his passes and such a phenomenal athlete, exceptional quarterback and an even better person," said Luckhardt. "I cannot put into words the impact he had on elevating our program to another level. He's such a winner and I just have so much belief and respect in him as a player and a leader.

"I coached football for 50 years and if I was starting a team today I'd want Joe Ruggiero to be its quarterback."

Two of the 16 divisional victories were impressive road wins at IUP during Ruggiero's sophomore and senior seasons. IUP had beaten Cal 20 previous times before 2005 and IUP was one of the schools Ruggiero looked into before joining the Vulcans.

"They told me they already had the quarterback they wanted, which was not what I wanted to hear," Ruggiero recalled. "It was a nice feeling to go up there and prove to them I could play. Those were definitely two of my favorite games."

Ruggiero is the third Vulcan football player from his era to receive the University's highest athletic honor, joining teammates Gary Butler ´08 and Tim McCutcheon.  He said the Hall of Fame induction helps ease the sting of a tough four-point, season-ending loss to Valdosta State in the 2007 national semifinals.

"It's a great honor and something I did not expect," said Ruggiero. "The loss to Valdosta State was a low-point ending to my career and I am not really into personal awards. But to get an honor like this is special and now makes the conclusion of my career really be on a high note."

Ruggiero is a graduate of Franklin High School, in Livonia, Michigan, where he starred in football, baseball and basketball. A standout pitcher, shortstop and point guard, as well as quarterback, for the Patriots, Ruggiero came to Cal U from Wayne State (Mich.) where he was offered a baseball scholarship.

He is grateful his path took him to Cal U and plans on completing his bachelor's degree from Cal U in liberal arts.

"I loved it and am so privileged to have ended up here," Ruggiero said. "To see the way the school has grown and progressed over the years is just amazing and I'm happy to be a part of it."

Ruggiero resides in Westland, Michigan, and works for The Coca-Cola Company.

updated 04/19/18