Siena University Athletics

The native of Uganda, Africa, has been called the greatest runner in the college's history. Joe earned four All-American honors in four years—two in cross country and two in track. He took first place in the 1975 NCAA College Division three-mile run; a first-place finish in the 1974 Schenectady 25-kilometer Bankathon run, and he was undefeated in four years of dual meet competition. In 1973, Rukanshagiza finished third with a time of 24:10 at the National Division II Cross-Country Championships, which earned him Division II All-American honors, and overcame injuries in 1974 to finish 22nd. He just missed out on All-American status in 1972 with a 29^th place finish in the meet He retained All-American status in 1974 with a 22^nd place finish at the NCAA 5-mile National Championships.

Rukanshagiza also dominated New York State while at Siena. As a freshman in 1971, he won 12 of 14 cross country meets and finished first in the New York State Championships with a record-setting time on the 5.8 mile course. He repeated his effort in the meet to win the championship in 1972, breaking the record he set the year before.

Dr. Joseph B. Rukanshagiza passed away on May 4, 2025 at the age of 72.