Ruhl for Living: From Charger to Teacher and Coach

Written by Doug Goodnough

From a young age, Michael Ruhl, ’97, knew he wanted to be a teacher and coach. For the past 28 years, he has been able to live out that dream at Clinton (Michigan) Community Schools near Ann Arbor.

“It’s a nice, small community,” said Ruhl of Clinton, which was his first (and only) interview after graduating with his teaching certificate from Hillsdale College. “I’ve never left, and I never wanted to leave. It’s good people and good leadership, and the kids are great.”

Ruhl continues to teach high school biology and life sciences and had a 20-year career as a varsity boys basketball coach before stepping down in 2018. In fact, Ruhl led Clinton to four conference titles, three district championships, and two regional finals appearances. He was named the Lenawee County Coach of the Year four times and one year was runner-up for the Class C Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Coach of the Year.

“Coaching in some ways is like a chess match,” he said. “If you fix one thing, then something else dips, and you have to address that. And you’re constantly working with the kids’ psychology and just keeping them sharp. We had a lot of success.”

He also experienced success as a member of the Hillsdale College men’s basketball team. Entering the program as a walk-on from Dexter High School, Ruhl knew he had to earn his way onto the floor. He did just that. During the 1994-95 season, he was the sixth man on a team that eventually won the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.

“We upset a really good Ferris State team and then beat Oakland,” said Ruhl of Hillsdale’s memorable postseason run under then-Head Coach Bernie Balikian. “We caught fire, and we won that thing. I felt really involved in the success of that team. It was just a blast.”

A 6-foot-7-inch forward, Ruhl said his role was to provide energy off the bench.

“I was a spark plug off the bench. I rebounded, assisted the ball, took charges, and really helped with momentum,” said Ruhl, known as a staunch defender. “I had a nice role, and I was very happy with that role.”

Despite the drawn-out basketball season, he said he was able to enjoy the college experience off the court. A member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, he said he connected with many of his professors at Hillsdale, especially in the Biology and English Departments.

“I remember the all-nighters before exams, and being constantly challenged every day,” Ruhl said of Hillsdale’s academics. “The professors were very helpful and gracious. And we had study halls on the road.”

He and his wife, Lauren, have four children. Ruhl recently decided to expand his business ventures outside the classroom. He started a painting business, Tight Lines Painting, LLC, which he runs during the summer months. He also operates several rental properties, and the avid fisherman recently began a charter and lake cruise business on Lake Michigan.

“I’ve got my captain’s license,” he said of his charter boat venture near St. Joseph, Michigan, where he lived until high school. “Last year I was just moving in over there and getting situated, but this year should be more charters and day cruises.”

Despite graduating nearly 30 years ago, he continues to engage with Hillsdale. A member of the Hillsdale College Alumni Association Board, he also is a President’s Club and Charger Champions Club member.

“I’ve just enjoyed being connected again in some way, to volunteer, to help plan events being on the Alumni Board,” Ruhl said. “You know, even if it’s only going back a few times a year, it has been a lot of fun. It’s a source of joy in my life now for sure. And I love giving back to the College. It was a very, very important and positive choice that I made coming to Hillsdale.”

Doug Goodnough, ’90, is Hillsdale’s senior director of Alumni Marketing. He enjoys connecting with fellow alumni in new and wonderful ways.

Published in April 2025