Once Fresno State All-American Art Ruble captured two gold medals at the 1975 Pan American Games in Mexico City, a New York television crew chose to film his streamlined stroke technique. The company could have selected any number of record-holding swimmers, but the producer told Ruble that his stroke was as close to perfect as any he had seen. Ruble was taped at the Fresno State University pool. “They had a couple of guys in scuba gear, and as I swam, they shot me from the front, the back, both sides, above me, and even underneath me,” Ruble said. “They asked me all kinds of questions about my form and how I arrived at this style and I just told them) got it from a lot of hard work and from my dad.”Ruble’s dad, Arlie, coached his son for many years, helping him perfect his stroke.

By the time Ruble became a Bulldog, he had a room full of trophies, medals, and championships. He had an outstanding career at Madera High School where he swam and ran cross country for the Coyotes. He arrived at Fresno State in the fall of 1972 and immediately went to work on the Bulldogs record book in swimming. After four years, he held ten FSU all-time individual records, as well as three more relay-team records. The 6’4”, 220-pounder took sixty-eight first places and captured second four times in dual meet competitions for the Dogs. In 1976, Ruble was named the Fresno State Athlete of the Year and had earned eight letters in swimming and water polo. Along the way, he became the first Bulldog swimmer to win conference titles and All-Conference honors in both sports. Besides being named to three All-American teams, Ruble at one time held all but two FSU men’s swimming records. “Looking back, I know I gave everything I had, and I can’t be disappointed at all because that is what I was taught to do by my folks and it paid off for me,” Ruble said.