Amy Ruley named to MSUM development position

The Minnesota State University Moorhead Alumni Foundation has hired Amy Ruley to be its new Senior Director of Development for Athletics.  In this role, she will connect donors with opportunities to transform the lives of student athletes through scholarships, and to support other Athletics Department areas of priority.

“I have admired the outstanding leadership President Blackhurst has been providing and the energy and enthusiasm around MSUM,” said Ruley. “I am hopeful that I can become a positive addition to an already vibrant community. Athletics Director Doug Peters is doing a great job of steadily growing the support for Dragon Athletics.  Joining his team and working with the outstanding coaches, student athletes, alums and supporters of MSUM will be an exciting challenge.” 

“I’m fired up to welcome Amy to our Dragon team,” said Peters. “As we continue to work to increase scholarship funding and renovate facilities, her impressive background in athletics and wide range of fund raising experiences fits what Dragon Athletics needs.”

Ruley has held senior development positions at NDSU since 2008 and was the Head Coach for the NDSU women’s basketball program from 1979 – 2008, winning five NCAA Division II national championships and achieving a 671 win and 198 loss record.

“In as much as I never anticipated not ending my professional career at NDSU, I am happy and excited to have this opportunity at MSUM,” said Ruley. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Dean Peterson in the College of Health Profession at NDSU. In my 38 years of working with and observing leaders here at NDSU, I can confidently say he has been and continues to be among the best! I want to publicly thank him for the opportunity to serve in his college.”

“I also want to thank Gary Haugo, Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of MSUM Alumni Foundation for his decision to offer me this opportunity,” said Ruley.

“Amy is a well-known and highly successful athletics professional who is fully dedicated to the student athlete experience,” said Gary Haugo, Vice President for University Advancement.  “She brings a record of building relationships that are meaningful and transformative for student athletes and of developing support that is critical to winning championships.”

The MSUM Alumni Foundation is dedicated to collaborating with the University in providing the margin of excellence in supporting student athletes and creating championship level competitive environments. Amy will bring experience in developing funds to support student scholarships, program support and facilities as well as being an advocate for our student athletes.