New Varsity Coaches Bring a Wealth of Experience

4/4/2025

Aaron Case

Millbrook School’s Athletic Department announced the appointment of two new varsity coaches ahead of the 2025–2026 sports seasons. Scott Ruggles will take over as head coach of the boys varsity soccer squad, while Garvin McAlister will lead the boys varsity basketball team. Both coaches are highly qualified and ready to help their Mustang teams achieve New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) glory.

Scott Ruggles: Boys Varsity Soccer

A coach in a gray sweatshirt leaning into a huddle of soccer players — Ruggles with the girls varsity soccer team

Ruggles, who was a goalkeeper in college, has more than 30 years of experience coaching varsity soccer in the NEPSAC, including 26 years as a head coach. Most recently, he coached at Tilton School for 21 years, setting the school’s record for coaching wins. Ruggles has held his boys to high standards on and off the pitch, fielding teams that won two Class C championships and had the most honor roll student-athletes of any team at the school.

"It is an honor to take over the boys soccer program,” Ruggles stated. “Millbrook's long history of success is something that the athletes and coaches will work to continue on a daily basis both in season and out of season."

Joining Millbrook in fall of 2024, Ruggles served as the girls varsity soccer assistant coach last season. A father of five children—one of whom is a Vth former at Millbrook—he is also a dorm parent in Koenigsberger Hall and a teacher in the History Department. He replaces Jonathan Howe, who will stay on staff as an assistant.

“Coach Howe is a true professional and we were so lucky to have him serve as the head coach this past season,” said Millbrook School Athletic Director Vinnie Soriento ’96. “He brought enthusiasm and energy to this program, and we are truly grateful for his hard work.”

Garvin McAlister: Boys Varsity Basketball

A coach in a blue jacket shouting instructions to players — McAlister on the sidelines in Wray Gymnasium

Another big change in the Millbrook sports world is Garvin McAlister stepping in as head coach of the boys varsity basketball team. Running the offense as the assistant coach for this season’s 20–5 squad, McAlister has an impressive playing, coaching, and recruiting resume.

He played his college ball at Post University and was named the institution’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2011. As a coach and recruiter, he worked at his alma mater, Western Connecticut State University, Assumption University, Nichols College, and Connecticut College, recruiting and developing several all-conference players. Before Millbrook, he was the director of basketball operations at Dartmouth College in the Ivy League.

McAlister is a dorm parent on campus and works in the Millbrook Admission Office, where he’s already busy recruiting the next wave of Mustang hoopers. He thanked previous Boys Varsity Basketball Head Coach Billy Thom for his dedication to the program:

"I’m truly honored to be named the new Boys Varsity Basketball Coach at Millbrook School. This is a well-established program with a tradition of excellence, and I’m excited to build on the incredible foundation that’s already in place. I want to extend a sincere thank you to Coach Billy Thom for his leadership and dedication over the years—he’s left a lasting impact on this team and community. I’m looking forward to continuing that legacy and getting to work with this exceptional group of student-athletes."

Thom, who is stepping down to focus on social work, will still be on hand to help as an assistant. He’s excited about the future of Millbrook basketball with McAlister at the helm.

“He walked in and could immediately connect with our guys, and they understood that he knew what he was talking about,” Thom explained. “I’m excited to shift a seat down the bench and kind of have that support role for Garvin moving forward.”

Millbrook’s soccer and basketball programs have a long history of developing student-athletes who go on to play at the next level in college and even professionally. Ruggles and McAlister are ready to build on that tradition and bring NEPSAC titles home to Millbrook. Roll Stangs!

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