Swim Team

Head Coach – Jake Ruffolo

We are excited to have Jake Ruffolo return as our Head Swim Coach at Hickory Hill!

Jake comes to us from Niagara Falls, NY. He is a graduate of Canisius High School and currently is a Senior at St. Bonaventure University, where he is a Sports Management major.

Jake has been swimming since the age of 5. His swim background includes swimming at Canisius High School, where he was a team captain both his junior and senior years, as well as a four year qualifier to the New York State Swim Meet. He was a two-time Monsignor Martin League and school record holder and earned two-time NICSA (National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association) All American Status. He is also a swimmer for White Water Swim Club, where he was an NCSA Spring Junior National Championship Qualifier 2016 – 2018.

Jake currently is a Division I freestyler, butterflyer and IM swimmer for St. Bonaventure University. He competes in the 200 and 400 free and medley relays, the 100 and 200 free and butterfly, and the 200 IM. During this year’s Atlantic 10 Swimming and Diving Championships, Jake earned a silver metal in the 800 free relay and placed 6th in the 100 free, 9th in the 200 free and 200 IM. 

In 2020, he was a member of the 6^th place finishing 400 free relay at the Atlantic 10’s and was an Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll honoree.

In 2019, he was a member of the 6^th place finishing 400 and 800 free relays, as well as a 13^th place finisher in the 200 free at the Atlantic 10 Championship Meet.

Jake was a previous swim team coach at Transit Valley Country Club where he mentored swimmers on proper technique while aiming to improve personal best times through training, encouragement, and motivation. As a swim lesson instructor at Miss Colleen’s School of Fish, he taught proper swimming techniques to children ranging from 12 months to 10 years old, including children with specific physical, behavioral, and learning needs. He loves all aspects of swimming and recognizes that it is a tough sport. He is a true believer of ‘You Get What You Give’ in and out of the pool. He is eager to work with our swimmers of all ages to help them develop not only their skill, but their love for the sport.

Jake is certified in Lifeguard Training, CPR & AED, and First Aid.

He is a recipient of the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit Award, and the Brian Moretti Service Award from St. Bonaventure.