Seasoned trainer brings more than two decades of experience, including in USL ranks
Athletic Club Boise and Saint Alphonsus have tapped Ricardo Ruiz as the Head Athletic Trainer of the new soccer club. Ruiz brings more than two decades of experience in clinical, industrial, collegiate, and professional sports settings, most recently serving as Head Athletic Trainer for Locomotive FC, a USL Championship team.
In his role, Ruiz will serve in tandem with the team’s physician, overseeing the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of Athletic Club Boise athletes. He will also work closely with the coaching staff to ensure players maintain peak physical condition throughout the season.
“Ricardo’s depth of experience and proven leadership in professional soccer made him the clear choice for this role,” said Justin Weatherford, Saint Alphonsus Executive Director, Musculoskeletal Service Line. “His commitment to athlete wellness and his ability to build strong relationships with players and coaches will be invaluable as Athletic Club Boise launches its inaugural season.”
Ruiz has supported athletes across multiple levels of competition and is passionate about advancing player health and performance.
“What really drew me to this role was the chance to help build something from the ground up,” said Ruiz. “It’s rare to be part of a new club with such strong community support and ownership commitment. I’m excited to contribute to creating a culture that prioritizes player health and performance.”
Ruiz will officially begin his role on January 19, 2026, and will be based full-time with the club at its stadium training grounds.
CEO and co-founder of Athletic Club Boise Brad Stith eagerly anticipates Ruiz’s arrival.
“Having Ricardo join us is a major step in building the professional standards we want for Athletic Club Boise from day one,” said Stith, CEO and co-founder of Athletic Club Boise. “Through our partnership with Saint Alphonsus, we’re able to provide our players with elite-level care while having Ricardo fully integrated with our team.”
Click here to learn more about the collaboration between Athletic Club Boise and Saint Alphonsus Health System.