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In 1968, the Cerritos College men's basketball team accomplished something not many thought could be done. Taking on Jerry Tarkanian and the defending state champion Pasadena City College Lancers, who were the defending state champions, Paul Ruffner and the Falcons pulled out a thrilling 69-68 win in triple overtime to win the college's first state title. Ruffner, 73, who was an All-State selection and went on to play in the NBA, passed away at home on June 17, 2022 after a short battle with leukemia. He is the second Falcon to pass away in a year, as the team lost 1974 all-state selection Al Fruhwirth on June 16, 2021.

"Losing two of the cornerstones of Cerritos College basketball history is difficult," said head coach Russ May. "They are part of the foundation that helped build our program and it's a reall loss."

Considered a giant among men, the 6-foot 10-inch Ruffner concluded his Cerritos College basketball career as one of the most prolific rebounders in school history. From 1967-69, Ruffner averaged 10.6 rebounds a game and is one of only two Falcon players to average double digits in rebounding both seasons. He countered that by also being an offensive threat and at the time of his graduation, was the school's career leading scorer. He now ranks 16th with 899 points, which includes a school record 43 points against Los Angeles College in 1967.

In his sophomore season, Ruffner, a 1st Team All-State and 1st Team All-Metropolitan Conference selection, helped lead the Falcons to their first state championship in school history. Viewed by many as one of the greatest California community college basketball games of all time, Ruffner and the Falcons outlasted Pasadena City College, 69-68 in three overtimes. At the conclusion of the season, Ruffner was selected to play on the junior college team in the Olympic Trials.

Ruffner went on to play at Brigham Young University, where he averaged 15.1 points and led the team in rebounds (9.5) as a junior and followed that by averaging 17.7 points and 10 rebounds a game his senior season. He was named All-WAC Honorable Mention as a senior.

In the 1971 NBA Draft, Ruffner was drafted in the 2nd Round (28th overall) by the Chicago Bulls, where he played for one season. He went on to play in the American Basketball Association for the Pittsburgh Condors and Spirit of St. Louis, while sandwiching in a two-year stint with the Buffalo Braves.

At the conclusion of his basketball career, Paul and his wife Lael made Provo, UT their permanent home. Ruffner became successful as a property owner and manager of student housing in Provo. Even though his playing days were behind him, he continued to share his knowledge and expertise of the game through color commentary with Paul James on KSL Radio which he did for 21 years.

Being the athlete that he was, he found great pleasure in sharing his talents in basketball and other sports as he coached his children and many others through the years.

Ruffner loved the outdoors, and enjoyed nature. He took many backpacking trips with his children, and youth in the Church. He later enjoyed many hours camping, surfing, boogie boarding, and playing outside with his grandchildren.