Former Notre Dame football player Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, the inspiration for the 1993 motion picture “Rudy,” will present a “Leadership Speaks” address at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, in the Tennessee Room of MTSU’s James Union Building.
The third of 14 children in a Joliet, Ill., family, Ruettiger struggled with dyslexia throughout childhood, but the condition was not diagnosed until he entered Holy Cross Junior College in South Bend, Ind. The school was across the street from the University of Notre Dame, which fueled Ruettiger’s desire to transfer and to make the Fighting Irish football team.
Since Notre Dame Head Coach Ara Parseghian welcomed walk-ons, Ruettiger tried out and made the practice squad, despite being only 5 feet, 6 inches and 165 pounds. His unflagging hustle and determination earned him the respect of his teammates.
Finally, on Nov. 8, 1975, new Head Coach Dan Devine allowed Ruettiger to line up at defensive end in a game against Georgia Tech. He sacked the Yellow Jackets’ quarterback on the final play of his senior season and was carried off the field by his teammates at the end of the game as the crowd chanted “RU-DY, RU-DY.”
Following the success of the movie “Rudy,” Ruettiger embarked on a career as a motivational speaker. He also established the Rudy Foundation, which supports programs to help children “cognitively, emotionally, physically and spiritually,” according to www.rudyinternational.com.
Reuttiger is the author of several books, including “Rudy’s Insights for Winning in Life”, “Rudy’s Lessons for Young Champions” and “Rudy & Friends”. An inductee into the Speakers Hall of Fame, he is the recipient of the Distinguished American Award and an honorary doctorate from Our Lady of Holy Cross College.
“Rudy’s message is ‘Yes, I can,’” said Jacqueline Victory, director of the MTSU Office of Leadership and Service. “It’s about the passion to achieve one’s goals and dreams.”
“Well, I always wanted to inspire people from my heart,” Reuttiger wrote on his Web site. “To some people, I didn’t do that much. My Dream was big for me but may have been small for someone else. That’s why I talk about the passion of the Dream no matter what the Dream is. I can inspire people to be their personal best and get it done! It’s about a person’s attitude that makes it all happen … and you must have the courage to persevere.”
This event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required for admission. Tickets are available from the Office of Leadership and Service in Room 326S of the Keathley University Center from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Friday. Call 615-898-5812 for more information. |
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