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All posts by Mike Ursta

USA Ball Hockey aspires to evolve and support communities by organizing programs that develop players, coaches, officials, and facilities with the goal of competing at the highest level in world competition.
Referee Assault Policy

Referee Assault Policy
On October 16, 2022, at a non-sanctioned USA Ball Hockey event, an incident involving violence against a referee occurred. This assault on the referee by a player was egregious and USABH was provided video, audio and eyewitness testimony of the incident.

In the interest in unifying the sport and to demand that the sport be a safe environment for all, USABH conducted an investigation of the incident. A committee of three people were assembled that had no previous knowledge of the incident or the parties involved. The committee interviewed the player, the referee and several eyewitnesses that were in close proximity of the incident. The committee also reviewed the video and audio evidence that was provided at great length. Additionally, the committee researched precedent for incidents such as this one in other sports and concluded that the player acted in a violent, unsportsmanlike and unreasonable manner against a referee.

This is a matter that USABH takes very seriously. USABH heavily condemns the actions of the player. It is the committee’s recommendation after their investigation that the player be subject to a lifetime ban from any USABH activities and the Board of Directors have agreed to uphold
the committee’s recommendation. Without the rule of law, our sport cannot exist. We must protect our referees and take any steps necessary to ensure that the rink is a place for all to be safe, have fun and encourage a healthy lifestyle. Safety for everyone on the rink should always be our #1 priority.

Tom Ruiz Named Director of the Men’s & Women’s Senior National Teams

USA Ball Hockey is excited to announce that it has named Tom Ruiz as the organization’s Director of the Men’s and Women’s Senior National teams.

Mr. Ruiz has served as the assistant coach on the Men’s National team since 2015. His purpose as Director is to support the General Managers of both the men and the women, providing all of the tools and the guidance they need to be successful in the creation of each team. One of Ruiz’s responsibilities is to carry out the USA Ball Hockey vision:

  • assurance that each team’s coaching staff is chosen after diligent examination, a distinguished interview process, and fair judgement of previous experiences
  • effectiveness of the team building plan and the implementation of a game strategy being taught to the players who will represent America in the 2022 ISBHF World Championships in Manitoba, Canada

Tom Ruiz has been on the last three World Championship staffs, with the most notable of his accomplishments being a silver medal in 2015. He was also an assistant coach of the 2014 bronze medal winning U-20 JR Boys National team. He has also had a birds-eye view of what the women’s program has accomplished recently with two silver medals and is eager to help the team receive any extra knowledge, support and experience needed to move from silver to gold.

Ruiz’s first mission is to lead the charge in finding the next Men’s General Manager in the very near future. On the women’s side, he will work with GM Angelo Terrana as they search for the next head coach.

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