Ruggiero is entering his second season as the Valkyries assistant lacrosse coach.
In his first season (2025) as an assistant coach, Ruggiero helped the Valkyries to a 4-11 overall record and a 3-4 record in Conference Carolinas action. Despite the Valkyries record, Ruggiero helped five players earn All-Conference accolades this season. As a team the Valkyries ranked 8th nationally in assists per game (8.47), 13th in points per game (22.53), 16th in draw controls per game (15.73), 19th in shots per game (31.73), 26th in shots on goal per game (31.73), and 28th in Scoring Offense (14.07).
Ruggiero makes his way to Converse from Milwaukee School of Engineering where he helped start the inaugural women's lacrosse team. As the offensive assistant coach, Ruggiero helped the Raiders win four games in their first season and coached a pair of All-Conference performers.
Prior to his time in Milwaukee, Ruggiero coached three years as an assistant at Oconomowoc High School. Under his guidance the team went from a 4-6-1 record in 2022 to a 26-14 record over the next two seasons, reaching the Section 1 finals in both 2023 and 2024. While at Oconomowoc High School, Ruggiero coached the Conference Player of the Year, an Academic All-American, two First Team All-Conference selections, four Second Team All-Conference selections, and six Honorable Mention All-Conference selections.
Ruggiero was the head lacrosse coach at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin from 2019-2022. Ruggiero amassed a 24-3 regular season record and reached the final four in each season. In 2019, Ruggiero was named Classic 8 Coach of the Year and had his team ranked in the top three regularly in the state of Wisconsin. Over the course of three seasons, Ruggiero had two All-Americans, the Wisconsin Player of the Year, six First Team All-State selections, three Second Team All-State selections, two Honorable Mention All-State selections, a Conference Player of the Year, and over 10 All-Conference selections.
Prior to his time in the Midwest, Ruggiero was the head assistant lacrosse coach and recruiting coordinator at SUNY Purchase. As a member of the coaching staff, Ruggiero helped the team to an 11-16 overall record in the Skyline Conference. Ruggiero coached a pair of players to Second Team All-Conference honors.
During the 2016-2017 season, Ruggiero was a volunteer assistant coach at Castleton University and helped the team to a 10-9 record. Castleton played for the NAC Championship that season, and had two players named First Team All-Conference, and one player named Second Team All-Conference. Prior to Castleton, Ruggiero was an assistant coach at Brewster Academy during the 2015-16 season.
Ruggiero graduated and played lacrosse for Castleton University from 2013-2015. As a transfer student, Ruggiero helped the Spartans go 25-12 overall and 16-0 in conference action. Ruggiero helped guide the team to a NAC Championship and an NCAA playoff berth during his senior year.
