Meet Boys Basketball Coach Micah Ruiz
A new coach for the 2022–2023 season
Micah Ruiz might be new to the Providence community, but he’s been working with youth for years. A Santa Barbara native, Ruiz played football for Dos Pueblos High School and spent his free time volunteering at the local Boys and Girls Club, coaching basketball.
“I’m the youngest of four; my dad coached us all when we were growing up so I’ve just always been around sports and developed a passion for it. I enjoy seeing the kids have fun. Playing sports is how I have fun, so I want other kids to experience that.” When he’s not coaching the Upper School boys basketball team, Ruiz lives and serves at San Marcos Christian Camp.
Praying with the team
Ruiz highlights the unique opportunity Providence athletes have to practice and compete in a community that’s centered on faith: “At other schools, coaches are not allowed to talk about God [with their athletes]. I love having the opportunity to talk to young men about their relationship with God … There’s a lot of dark in the world and I just love seeing the joy that kids can have, especially at Providence. Providence is a very academic school and I feel like basketball provides students with an escape where they can just have fun and play the game and build a team together—as well as learning about their faith.”
Coach Ruiz guides players through devotionals at the start of every practice and encourages the young men to come to him when they need prayer. “I’m not here to judge you,” he tells them. “Just let me pray with you and for you.”
Everyone gets to play
Though the boys team has only seven players, Ruiz doesn’t necessarily see the size of their roster as a setback. Since the team is small, “I don’t have to worry about balancing playing time—everyone gets to play.” Their small team also encourages closer friendships, so the team can operate more like a family: “It’s cool to see how they build each other up and cheer for each other.”
Before an energetic crowd, the team celebrated a Homecoming victory over Bessant Hill (55-30), thus making the post-season CIF playoffs where they won 47-40 over Cuyama Valley in a wild card game this past Tuesday.
“I’m really proud of the way these young men … bought in and played their hearts out,” says Coach Ruiz. “I’m so happy to get these seniors a playoff win.”
Through each practice, and every game, Ruiz brings the team back to one centering theme: “Do it for the glory of God. That’s why we’re here.”
LEARN MORE
- Athletics at Providence
- Beyond-the-Classroom Adventures
- A Blueprint for a Distinctly Christian Education
