Notre Dame alum shares inspirational message at TCC

  • By Kyle Valentini
  • August 7, 2012
  • 320
                        
Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School hosted feature speaker Daniel Ruettiger on Aug. 5. The Notre Dame Graduate and football player had his life story told in the 1993 blockbuster film Rudy. He shared a motivational speech with a crowd that included the TCC Football team. Daniel Ruettiger or Rudy as he known to friends and family as well as anyone that claims to be a Notre Dame Football fan learned early in life that core values and moral character are the keys to success in life. He shared those principals with a crowd at Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School at New Philadelphia on Aug. 5 in an hour-long speech that brought tears to some eyes and instilled a sense of purpose into everyone in attendance. Known for his fierce determination and unprecedented perseverance, Ruettiger served two year as a yeoman on a communications command ship in the U.S. Navy after graduating third from the bottom in his class from Joliet Catholic High School in Joliet, IN before taking a job in a power plant. A lifelong dream to attend Notre Dame was finally realized but not without a struggle. Undiagnosed dyslexia resulted in mediocre grades that prevented Ruettiger from being accepted at Notre Dame until his fourth attempt. After two years of study at nearby Holy Cross College and the discovery of his learning disability he was finally accepted at Notre Dame and eventually earned a position on the Fighting Irish Football scout team where he treated every practice like a real game. “When I was growing up there were certain rules we had to follow,” said Ruttiger. “We had to clean our room, respect our brothers and sisters, there were fourteen of us, you know. We had to fold our underwear, shine our shoes and never turn around in church. In the Navy I finally got to use my skills for folding underwear but I could never figure out why my mother always told me and my brothers we would find a nice girl at church if we could never turn around.” Ruettiger attributes his success in life to his Catholic upbringing and the realization that he could learn if he was inspired. A fifth grade teacher soured Ruettiger’s desire to learn when he sent him to the back of the class for not being able to name the fifth president of the United States. “Education is all about inspiration. If you can inspire kids they will learn,” said Ruettiger. “I was taught to see all the negatives in me and in other people. I changed that through a process and finally realized we are all in a position of leadership and we all have purpose.” It was with this attitude that Ruettiger set out to be the best football player he could be despite his 5’6” frame and mere 165 pounds. Along the way he earned the respect of his coaches and his teammates and was permitted to dress for his first and final game of his career. With seconds on the clock Ruettiger was put in the game for two plays one of which was when he sacked Georgia Tech quarterback Rudy Allen. Ruettiger’s story is told in the emotionally powerful blockbuster film, Rudy that was released in 1993. In 1997 Ruettiger along with wife Cheryl started the Rudy Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the support and recognition of those who aspire to fulfill their dreams through character, courage, contribution and commitment. Through the foundations College Football Rudy Award, founded in 2007, a Division player is honored. In 2009 a similar program was developed for high school players. Ruettiger continues to speak to groups to further his motivational message. “You have to allow dreamers to keep moving,” said Ruettiger. “Don’t think you have to become someone. You are already someone.”


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