Ruiz Family Pledges $2 Million to Enhance Weight Room at Mark Light Field
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The University of Miami announced Wednesday that the Ruiz family has committed a $2 million gift to expand the current facility and fund a cutting-edge strength and conditioning complex at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.
“I want to thank the Ruiz family for their generous donation towards our weight room facility,” Miami head coach Gino DiMare said. “The weight room plays a vital role in the development of our players and the success of our program. This donation will help our players and our program achieve our goals in a massive way.”
As former baseball student-athletes, Alex Ruiz ’20 and John Ruiz ’17, along with their sister, Cristina Ruiz ’19, and mom, Mayra Ruiz, are excited to give back to the University of Miami Athletics program and help enhance the experience for current and former student-athletes, who train at Mark Light Field.
“My family and I are longtime fans of Hurricanes baseball and passionate about the University of Miami Athletic programs,” Mayra Ruiz said. “Johnny, Alex, Cristina and I are truly honored to be a part of this project and excited to see it completed.”
The Ruiz Family Strength and Conditioning Complex will be an approximately 1,600-square-foot expansion to the current weight room, which sits at the entrance of Alex Rodriguez Park.
Through the generosity of the Ruiz family, the strength and conditioning facility will more than double in size and feature state-of-the-art equipment to provide Miami’s student-athletes with a top-of-the-line training environment.
“We want to thank the Ruiz family for their commitment in support of Miami Athletics,” Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich said. “Their generous gift will help us continue to provide the best possible student-athlete experience and the resources we need to compete at the highest level.”
Construction on the Ruiz Family Strength and Conditioning Complex is scheduled to begin after the conclusion of the 2022 baseball season.
The Hurricanes baseball program is in the process of a facility enhancement project. This past fall, the DiMare family pledged a $1.6 million donation to fund a new scoreboard at Mark Light Field.
In 2020, Miami opened the Jimmy and Kim Klotz Player Development Center — a top-of-the-line indoor practice facility that houses batting cages, bullpens and a multi-purpose area.
That same year, UM baseball alumnus Tommy Adams donated towards the University of Miami’s Baseball Facility Enhancement Campaign that contributed to the new scoreboard, as well as renovations to the Hurricanes’ locker room, players’ lounge and nutrition center.
For more information on how to make a gift in support of University of Miami athletics, call the Hurricane Club at (305) 284-6699 or visit miamihurricanes.com/hurricane-club.
