Ruthanne Duffy Named Athletic Director for Western
July 29, 2026
ROCK SPRINGS, WY – July 29, 2026
Western Wyoming College (Western) has named Ruthanne Duffy as its next Athletic Director,
beginning Fall 2026. Bringing more than 14 years of experience in collegiate athletics,
Duffy will lead Mustang Athletics with a student-centered approach focused on academic
success, strong relationships, and community engagement.
Most recently, Duffy served as Assistant Athletic Director of Operations, Senior Woman
Administrator, and Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Patrick & Henry Community College
in Virginia, where she oversaw athletic operations, student-athlete eligibility, academic
progress, compliance, budgeting, and campus partnerships. She also serves as General
Manager of the Martinsville Mustangs, a collegiate summer baseball team in the Coastal
Plain League.
Before moving into athletic administration, Duffy spent 11 years coaching collegiate
volleyball, including seven seasons as head volleyball coach at Ferrum College, where
she led the NCAA Division III program to multiple conference tournament appearances.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education with a concentration in Sports
Management from the University of Virginia's College at Wise and a Master of Science
in Sports Administration from Arkansas State University.
“Ruthanne's commitment to student success, both in the classroom and in competition,
aligns perfectly with Western's mission,” said Western President Dr. Kirk Young. “Her
leadership experience, passion for supporting student-athletes, and vision for Mustang
Athletics make her an outstanding addition to our College community.”
For Duffy, athletics has always been about more than wins and losses.
“I want our student-athletes to know they are more than just student-athletes while
they are here,” Duffy said. “We care about who they are as people and want them to
grow, succeed, and prepare for life beyond their sport.”
"One of the qualities that stood out most throughout the search process was Ruthanne's
unwavering commitment to student success,” said Mark Rembacz, AVP of Institutional
Effectiveness. “She understands that athletics and academics go hand in hand, and
she is deeply committed to ensuring our student-athletes have the support they need
to thrive in the classroom, in competition, and long after graduation."
Duffy said she was drawn to Western by its people and its commitment to students.
“I felt ready to take everything that I learned and lead a department of my own,”
Duffy said. “Everyone I met was incredibly welcoming, and I could feel their commitment
to students, the College, and the community. I left feeling like Western was a place
where I could make an impact and truly become part of a community.”
During her first year, Duffy said listening will be her priority. She plans to meet
individually with each coach to better understand every program's strengths, challenges,
and goals before making long-term decisions. From there, she plans to strengthen the
student-athlete experience through academic success and retention, support coaches,
improve departmental operations, and build meaningful partnerships across campus and
throughout southwest Wyoming.
As Duffy and her family prepare for their move to Rock Springs, they are looking forward
to becoming part of the community.
“I'm excited to become part of the Western family,” Duffy said. “This isn't simply
taking a job—it's an opportunity to invest in students, coaches, and a community that
already means so much to the people who call it home. I can't wait to get started.”
For more information about Western Athletics, please visit westernwyoming.edu/athletics. For general information about the College, please contact the Office of Marketing
and Public Relations at marketing@westernwyoming.edu or call 307-382-1858