Bowling Green State University Athletics
Jim Ruehl, Part Of Two BGSU National Titles, Passes Away
January 18, 2014 | General
Bowling Green, Ohio – BGSU Athletics sends condolences to the family and friends of James Joseph Ruehl, who played a role in Bowling Green national championships in two sports, on his passing Friday at the age of 83. Jim Ruehl was born June 30, 1930 in Cumberland, Md. to Carl and Nellie Ruehl.
George McPhee, General Manager of the NHL's Washington Capitals and a Hobey Baker winner at Bowling Green, called Ruehl "the man we all want to be."
"It is with great sadness that I hear about Jim's death," Jerry York, the all-time winningest coach in college hockey history and head coach of Bowling Green's 1984 national champions said. "I was fortunate that Jim was at BGSU when I was hired, not only as my mentor in athletics, but in life as well. He was truly a great man and will be missed by many."
Ruehl joined Doyt Perry's coaching staff at Bowling Green in 1956 as the freshman football coach after graduation and service in the U.S. Marines. That started a 16-year career in football at BGSU, as he later served as the offensive line coach and defensive coordinator from 1968-71, and included the program's 1959 undefeated National Championship season. He was also a member of the BGSU faculty in health and physical education, earning his graduate degree from Bowling Green.
"Coach Ruehl was a player's coach," Ed Phillips, member of the 1959 football team, said. "Players knew there were boundaries, but if you stayed within those boundaries, you knew that he would stay with you."
In 1972, Ruehl became the BGSU Ice Arena Director, a post he held for 12 years. In 1982, while still the Ice Arena Director, he took on the additional responsibility as Commissioner of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). He held that role when Bowling Green won the NCAA National Championship in 1984.
After his retirement from Bowling Green, Ruehl was Secretary Director of the Wood County Fairgrounds and a realtor with AA Green Realty. Ruehl and his wife Ann, with whom he was married 63 years, had five children – Jim, Carol, Bob, Jeff and Julie.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 11 am at First United Methodist Church. Friends may call on Tuesday, Jan. 21 from 4-8 pm at Dunn Funeral Home, located at 408 W. Wooster St. The Ruehl family asks that donations to your favorite charity be made in his name in lieu of flowers. Complete information is available at the Dunn Funeral Home website by CLICKING HERE.
Credit to Dunn Funeral Home obituary for parts of this release
George McPhee, General Manager of the NHL's Washington Capitals and a Hobey Baker winner at Bowling Green, called Ruehl "the man we all want to be."
"It is with great sadness that I hear about Jim's death," Jerry York, the all-time winningest coach in college hockey history and head coach of Bowling Green's 1984 national champions said. "I was fortunate that Jim was at BGSU when I was hired, not only as my mentor in athletics, but in life as well. He was truly a great man and will be missed by many."
Ruehl joined Doyt Perry's coaching staff at Bowling Green in 1956 as the freshman football coach after graduation and service in the U.S. Marines. That started a 16-year career in football at BGSU, as he later served as the offensive line coach and defensive coordinator from 1968-71, and included the program's 1959 undefeated National Championship season. He was also a member of the BGSU faculty in health and physical education, earning his graduate degree from Bowling Green.
"Coach Ruehl was a player's coach," Ed Phillips, member of the 1959 football team, said. "Players knew there were boundaries, but if you stayed within those boundaries, you knew that he would stay with you."
In 1972, Ruehl became the BGSU Ice Arena Director, a post he held for 12 years. In 1982, while still the Ice Arena Director, he took on the additional responsibility as Commissioner of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). He held that role when Bowling Green won the NCAA National Championship in 1984.
After his retirement from Bowling Green, Ruehl was Secretary Director of the Wood County Fairgrounds and a realtor with AA Green Realty. Ruehl and his wife Ann, with whom he was married 63 years, had five children – Jim, Carol, Bob, Jeff and Julie.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 11 am at First United Methodist Church. Friends may call on Tuesday, Jan. 21 from 4-8 pm at Dunn Funeral Home, located at 408 W. Wooster St. The Ruehl family asks that donations to your favorite charity be made in his name in lieu of flowers. Complete information is available at the Dunn Funeral Home website by CLICKING HERE.
Credit to Dunn Funeral Home obituary for parts of this release
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