Richard
Ruffalo, master motivator, author, educator, and internationally recognized athlete
inspires a wide range of audiences everywhere, From children to adults and students
to business gurus, Ruffalo is a true role model for all ages.
At
age 32, Ruffalo lost his eyesight but never lost his "vision." At the
Walt Disney Company McDonald's American Teacher Awards, Ruffalo was named both
the Outstanding Coach of the Year and the Outstanding Teacher of the Year for
1995. Vice President Al Gore presented the
award to him on nationwide television.
Ruffalo
continues motivating every audience to a high level of inspiration while speaking
to Fortune 500 companies, schools, and conventions. In 1994 he was selected as one of
five educators from the United States to be inducted into the National Teachers
Hall of Fame. As a favored citizen of Belleville, New Jersey, he received the
"Outstanding Citizen of the Year" award in 1994.
In
addition, Ruffalo has won numerous honors and awards for his athletic ability.
He is the winner of four different world titles in shot put, discus, javelin,
and powerlifting. He has earned 14 international gold medals, won 32 national
titles, set 9 world and 15 national records, and has won 13 USA Track and Field
K-2ster's State Titles against sighted competitors. In
1988, -the United States Olympic Committee named Ruffalo as the Disabled Athlete
of the Year for athletic, civic, and professional accomplishments. He is a three-time
winner of the coveted Governor's Cup Award and winner of-the Victor Award, the
Academy Award of Sports, as the nation's most inspirational athlete of 1989. In
1994, he was also inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Ruffalo was named one of the ten Healthy American Fitness Leaders by the U.S.
Junior Chamber of Commerce, as well as one of America's "Hometown Heroes"
on the Children's Miracle Network Telethon. In addition, Ruffalo received an honorary
doctorate for his life's work and was named "New Jersey's Teacher of the
Year.' In September of 1998, he was presented the always Kids Hometown Heroes
Salute to Excellence award" by the Quaker Oats Company
as a role model for kids across the country.
Rich
Ruffalo is also a corporate sales trainer and an inspirational speaker for everyone. A movie about Rich Ruffalo is currently under development. |
