Eli Rusche '17 Recruiting Profile

Hello my name is Eli Rusche, I want to share a little about myself.  Two of the strongest influences in my life have been my faith in God and my family.  I grew up in a Christian home which has instilled many strong moral values into me.  My family has always been very supportive of my athletic pursuits, whether it be cheering me on from the sidelines, driving me to practices and games, or helping me find balance in my sometimes crazy schedule.  Sports have always been an important part of my life. I began playing them at a young age. I have spent many hours on the practice field and in the weight room working to be the best athlete I can be. The work ethic I have created through my participation in sports only helps to make me a stronger student which prepares me to be a better employee, husband and father someday. 

My interest in football began at an early age. My dad is a high school football coach so I grew up around it and have always had a love for the game. I have been in and around the fieldhouse all my life. In third grade I started being the ball boy for my dad’s team, and have pretty much been on the football field in some capacity every Friday since then. Football has taught me many things, such as when I am faced with a challenge if I persevere, work hard, and show some grit I will be able to overcome even when it seems I have no chance. The game has tested my patience and also stretched me to my limits in ways I didn’t think were possible. 

My academic goals for high school are to graduate in the highest possible GPA knowing that I gave it my best effort. Going into college my academic goals are much the same as high school. I will work hard to maintain a high GPA, pursue academic challenges that will push me forward and set me up to live a good life. I want to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, and perhaps a master’s degree then get a good job.

A defining time in my life, was when parent’s divorced. I experienced adversity like never before in my life and I learned to rely on God for my strength. I have been blessed with a very influential step dad in my life who has shaped and molded me into the man I am today. More recently an obstacle that I have overcome was barely seeing the field my junior year behind a three-year starter. That really tested my patience and showed me that not everything will go my way but that I can use the hard times to get better as a person. I stayed loyal and supportive to my team, the coaches and most importantly the starting quarterback. My unique characteristic traits are that I am a servant leader that is willing to go the extra mile and that I'm not afraid to not follow the crowd. For example, I look for ways help my teammates out, be it by giving them a ride home, encouraging them or buying them food if they have no money. I was taught that a strong leader is someone who is willing stay behind and pick up trash in the locker room, be the last one off the bus and be the first one to give credit to my teammates. I’m not afraid to go against the flow of what everyone else is doing and stand up for what I believe is right. I also have a strong sense of moral values that I follow to the best of my abilities. 

Thank you for taking the time to look at me. I appreciate it very much! I hope you have a blessed day.