Wrestling: Friars’ Ruffino to retire at end of season

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Oak Leaves photographer Rob Hart won an Ilinois Press Association Award for this photo of Fenwick wrestling coach Jerry Ruffino (right) and his son, Chris (left) from Feb. 19, 2011. | Rob Hart~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 27, 2012 8:42AM

Fenwick wrestling coach Jerry Ruffino will leave a legacy that won’t soon be forgotten anytime soon after he retires at season’s end.

The 66-year-old has been a mainstay in Friars wrestling for the past 20 years, serving as head coach for the past 17, and now it will be up to son Chris, 28, a 2001 Fenwick graduate and currently an assistant coach, to carry on a long-standing tradition of excellence on the mats his father helped maintain in 1992.

Despite a 2011-12 season marred by injuries to many of his top wrestlers, the elder Ruffino was named a Lawless Award winner as Coach of the Year for the first time in his career, during last weekend’s Chicago Catholic League championships. His final home meet will be held Jan. 26 as he leads his squad into his last Senior/Parents Night before state tournament competition, starting with regionals Feb. 4.

“It has been a good run for me but I think it is time to call it quits, and I’m happy to turn the program over to my son, Chris,” Ruffino said. “I think what I’ll miss most is the kids, the camaraderie we had. And of course I will miss the sport itself. Wrestling has been a part of my life for a long time.

One of the great memories I have was just being hired by Mike Curtin. It turned out to be one of the most important times of my life when he asked me to come on board as an assistant with him. Then later, he was very instrumental in me being named head coach.”

Ruffino said there is a long list of wrestlers, coaches, administrators, champions and meets that always will remain close to his heart.

“I’ll always remember my first IHSA state champion, Nick Bertucci (135-pound weight class),” he said. “I coached him since he was in fourth grade and eventually got him to come to Fenwick. And that 2005 squad made it to the Elite Eight in the state tournament will always stay with me. There has been a number of great wrestlers and great teams along the way, and that’s what makes coaching a joy.”

Ruffino said he believes his son (his older son, Peter, is a 1999 graduate of Fenwick) will find success in his new role as head coach just as he did when he wrestled.

“He was difficult to coach,” said Ruffino with a laugh. “But he had a great wrestling mind. He had his own views as a wrestler and he has is own ideas as a coach. He is very dedicated to Fenwick and the wrestling program and I think he will do a very good job. It should be interesting to sit back and watch the next couple of years — and that’s all I plan to do, watch.”

Ruffino amassed a an overall career overall of 235-149 and finished 119-57 in the CCL. In IHSA competition, his teams have won six regional championships in addition to its Elite Eight appearance. He has coached 53 wrestlers who qualified for the IHSA state meet, including three state champions, two state runners-up and seven All-State honorees. In addition to coaching, he served as the IHSA Regional representative for 13 years.

Ruffino’s success in the CCL was just as impressive with 53 place winners, including 21 league champions, 17 runners-up and three Lawless Award winners. From 2000-2003, he coached Dave Herrera who was a four-time CCL champion.

“Jerry is an outstanding coach,” said Fenwick Athletic Director Scott Thies. “He has great passion for the sport of wrestling and has always been extremely dedicated to preparing his wrestlers for success on and off the mat. We are pleased to announce that his son, Chris, will be taking the head coaching position and continuing the great tradition his father has created.”

Ruffino’s championship details include:

State Champions: 2005 Nick Bertucci (135), 2009 Bobby Barnhisel (152), 2011 Matthew Garelli (103);

Second place: 2002 Dave Herrera (215), 2004 Mike Tamillow (189);

All-State Wrestlers: 2001 Sam Kucia (4th, 171); 2001 Alan Lazzara (5th, 145); 2003 Dave Herrera (4th, 215); 2003 Nick Bertucci (5th, 112); 2007 Bobby Barnhisel (5th, 130); 2008 Chris Dardanes (4th, 125); 2008 Nick Dardanes (5th, 119).

Chicago Catholic League:

Lawless Winners (Outstanding Senior Wrestlers): 2003 Dave Herrera; 2004 Mike Tamillow; 2009 Bobby Barnhisel.

CCL Outstanding Wrestler: 2001 Chris Ruffino.