Ruffolo is Olympics-bound, again

Tony Altobelli

For those who went to school with him, the Olympics was probably

the last place anyone would spot Newport Coast’s Jeff Ruffolo.

“I was a major skinny wimp growing up,” the 42-year-old admitted.

“Athletics and Olympics were not something I ever thought I would be a

part of as an adult, but I am and I’m loving it.”

Ruffolo has been hired by Westwood One/CBS Radio Sports America as an

on-air announcer for the upcoming 2000 Sydney Summer Olympic Games.

“I think it’s every kid’s dream to reach the Olympic Games,” Ruffolo

said. “It’s the Super Bowl, World Series and the NBA Championship all

rolled up into one, no matter if you’re an athlete or an announcer.”

For Ruffolo, who will be covering the indoor volleyball competition,

it’s his second Olympic appearance. He was behind the microphone for

volleyball and tennis at the Atlanta Olympic Games of 1996.

“Unfortunately, the Americans didn’t do too well in volleyball in

‘96,” Ruffolo said. “I was there, however, when Andre Agassi and Lindsay

Davenport won their gold medals. I would really love to see the U.S.

volleyball teams compete for a medal this time. I’ve been dreaming of

covering the U.S. and Italy in the gold-medal match.”

Ruffolo was born in Chicago, Ill., but grew up in Woodland Hills.

After attending Los Angeles Pierce College, Ruffolo moved on to Brigham

Young, where he received his degree in journalism.

“My turning point came at BYU,” Ruffolo said. “I generated $140,000 in

sponsors to help market and promote the school’s new volleyball team.

Most collegiate teams average 400-500 people a night, but we were

bringing in 2,700-3,000 people every game. I knew at that point I would

be in public relations forever.”

Another niche that Ruffolo has carved out for himself is that of an

announcer. From his beginnings at BYU until today, Ruffolo has logged

over 20 years of broadcasting experience.

Included in those two decades of air time is 10 years of play-by-play

work for KCCN-AM, Honolulu and The Rainbow Sports Radio Network. Ruffolo

is also the recipient of the 1998 E. Douglas Boyden Media Recognition

Award, presented by USA Volleyball.

Before the Atlanta Olympics began, Ruffolo began to send Westwood One

some information on himself to sway the company in his favor.

“My older brother used to tie me up to a tree and drip water on me

until I gave up,” Ruffolo recalled with a laugh. “I was dripping

information on to them, hoping they would give up and select me, which

they did.”

Ruffolo experienced just how much work went into making the Olympics

so spectacular.

“We would have a morning show at 9 a.m. and sometimes the match I was

covering wouldn’t start until 7 or 8 p.m.,” Ruffolo said. “By the time

the Olympics are completed, you’ve put in 13-hour days for two-straight

weeks. All you’re thinking about is a nap.”

Despite the nonstop running around, Ruffolo can’t wait for more of the

same in Sydney.

“The Olympics are like a two-week-long Mardi Gras,” he said. “It’s a

circus every day, but it’s so sweet. It’s also a real honor to be

selected as one of the best announcers by being chosen to go to Sydney.”

A small, but popular sport in comparison to baseball, basketball and

football, volleyball is the third-biggest sport in the world, according

to Ruffolo.

“I’ve announced matches in China where there’s been 11,000 people in attendance every night,” he said. “At a match I covered in Genoa, Italy,

the fans stood and sang for three hours during the contest. It’s unreal

the type of reception that this sport gets outside our country. Here, it

takes a back seat to the major sports.”

Ruffolo has reached his level of success because of his never-quit

attitude and his philosophy of living in the moment.

“Life is a series of unbelievable moments,” Ruffolo said. “In each

experience, maximize everything you do to get the most out of it. I tried

to do that in Atlanta and I will try to do that again in Sydney.”