Dr. Matthew Ruiz joined the faculty
in the fall of 2006. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in athletic
training and exercise science from Lipscomb University in Nashville,
Tennessee, a Master of Science degree in exercise science and sport studies
with a concentration in sport and exercise psychology from Springfield
College in Springfield, Massachusetts, and a Ph.D. in kinesiology with an
emphasis in sport and exercise psychology from the University of Minnesota
in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ruiz gained valuable experience as a graduate
assistant at Springfield College and the University of Minnesota teaching
courses on topics such as sport and exercise psychology, psychology of
coaching, and sociology of sport.
Ruiz was a competitive baseball player, basketball player, and personal
trainer for 14 years. He has conducted applied sport psychology consultation
since 2001 with various athletes and teams including volleyball, swimming,
baseball, gymnastics, football, and tennis. He has also worked with many
injured athletes and with multiple male and female exercisers. His research
interests include the effect of positive emotion on physical activity
performance, exercise adherence, the effect of Christianity on sport and
exercise, and the psychology of youth sport. Ruiz also has an interest
in the psychology and physiology of peak performance, sport nutrition, and
strength and conditioning.
Ruiz is a member of the American Psychological Association, Division 47
– Sport and Exercise Psychology of the American Psychological Association,
Christian Society of Kinesiology and Leisure Studies, Association for
Applied Sport Psychology, and American Alliance on Health, Physical
Education, Recreation, and Dance. He is also an active member of the Southwinds Church of Christ in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
