Palisades dedicating performance center to former teacher/coach Ruisz

TL;DR

Palisades High School is dedicating its performance center to former teacher and coach Ed Ruisz, honoring his significant impact on the school and community. The decision was inspired by a group of his former players from the late 1980s.

Key points

Palisades High School dedicates performance center to Ed Ruisz
Inspired by former players from the late 1980s
Ruisz had a significant impact on school and community

Mentioned in this story

Ed RuiszPalisades High School

There are good ideas and then there are no-brainers.

This was a no-brainer.

"The idea was brought up by a group of his former players that ran track and played football for him in the late 1980s," Palisades athletic director Brian Gilbert said.

"And it just made so much sense. Ed Ruisz meant so much to this school and community and fitness was such a big part of his life. This is a perfect fit."

Palisades High School is naming its performance center in honor of former teacher/coach Ed Ruisz.

The "fit" becomes official on Friday (4 p.m.) when a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at the high school to name the school's state-of-the-art fitness facility the Ed Ruisz Sports Performance Center, dedicated to the memory of the longtime teacher, coach and leader of academic performance who passed away in October at 70.

"Naming this facility after Ed was the only choice that truly made sense," said Dr. Bridget O'Connell, superintendent of the Palisades School District.

"He didn't just teach and coach — he built character, inspired confidence and shaped young people for life."

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Ruisz taught history at the school for 35 years, along with coaching track and field and football.

His girls' track team put together an incredible 166 straight dual-meet win streak during his tenure and he led the football team to its first winning season in 1988, which was his third year at the helm.

Q&A

Why is Palisades dedicating a performance center to Ed Ruisz?

Palisades is dedicating the performance center to Ed Ruisz to honor his significant contributions to the school and community, particularly in athletics.

Who initiated the idea to dedicate the performance center to Ed Ruisz?

The idea was initiated by a group of Ed Ruisz's former players who ran track and played football for him in the late 1980s.

What was Ed Ruisz's role at Palisades High School?

Ed Ruisz served as a teacher and coach at Palisades High School, where he had a lasting impact on students and the community.