Email: johnr@tabor.edu
Phone: 620-947-3121 ext. 1604
What is your athletic background
Thornapple Kellogg High School (Middleville Michigan)
Baseball – Four years
Football – Four years – 1973 MVP in Football, All Conference – All State wide receiver
Baseball scholarship to Olivet Nazarene University, Starting Shortstop, Hustle Award
USTA Tennis
1999-2005 Ranked top 10 Men's 35 Singles USTA Southwest Section
2010-2011 Ranked top 50 Men's 50 Singles USTA Texas Section
Coaching Experience - 27 years
Head Coach of 5 varsity sports: Tennis, Basketball, Football, Baseball, Track
Track 4 years – Valley Union High School
1A Arizona State Championship 1988
Football Defensive Coordinator – Valley Union High School
7 Consecutive trips to the Arizona State Semi-finals 1987-1993
Arizona 1A South Conference Champions and State Runner-up 1987/1990
Arizona Coaches Association High School Assistant Coach of the Year 1992
Basketball – 20 years Valley Union High School
10 Trips to the 1A Arizona State Tournament
Arizona 1A South Conference Champions – 1988, 1989, 2005
2005 Arizona 1A South Coach of the Year
Tennis – 18 years Valley Union High School – 2 years Denison, Texas – 5 years Denton Ryan,
Texas
Arizona 1A/2A qualified at least one player to state tournament 1995-2005
Arizona 1A/2A Boy's Doubles Team State Runner-up 1998
Arizona 1A/2A Girl's Team State Runner-Up – 2004
Arizona 1A/2A Girl's Singles State Champion -- 2004
Arizona 1A/2A Girl's Singles State Runner-up 2005
Texas 4-4A Girl's Singles Regional Qualifier – 2012
What is your academic background
High School – Thornapple Kellogg High School in Middleville Michigan
College – Olivet Nazarene University, Kankakee, Illinois – BS in Physical Education
Graduate School – Concordia University, Irvine, CA – MA Coaching and Athletic Administration
Certification – United States Professional Tennis Association
Family
Wife – Sandra Ruder – 36 years
Daughter – Brooke Brantley – Oklahoma City
Son – Lance Ruder – Denison Texas
Dogs – Sam & Chancer
What is your coaching style
I am a teacher. The court is my classroom. Tennis is my textbook. Life is my subject. Much of my coaching is cooperative in nature. My goal is to provide the right balance between directing athletes and letting them direct themselves. As my players become more and more proficient with my system, I give them more opportunities to make decisions. I want my players to be able to make decisions and to think on the fly. I believe that an athlete's brain is their biggest weapon. So much of my coaching involves training them to stay calm, think clearly, and be decisive.
What is special about athletics at Tabor
At Tabor College the priorities are right. Christ first, athlete second, and winning third. It is a place where athletes come to deepen their spiritual walk, get a high quality education, and compete to the best of their ability.
