STEPHENVILLE, Texas—Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, immortalized in the 1993 film that chronicles his dream of playing football for the University of Notre Dame, comes to Tarleton State University on March 20 and 21.
Ruettiger’s visit is part of the fifth annual Dr. Wendell Sadler Distinguished Scholar Series, hosted by Tarleton’s Department of Kinesiology and sponsored by Focused Post Acute Care Partners.
The third of 14 children, Rudy landed a spot with Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish despite obstacles and discouragement, carving his name into the history books as one of the university’s most famous graduates. As fans cheered “RU-DY, RU-DY,” he sacked the quarterback in the last 27 seconds of the only play in the only game of his college football career.
No other player in Notre Dame’s history has been carried off the field on the shoulders of his teammates.
Everyone’s invited to watch the movie Rudy with Rudy at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, in the auditorium of the Clyde H. Wells Fine A
rts Center. Admission is free, and moviegoers can enter a drawing for door prizes.
Following a Kinesiology Expo from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, in Wisdom Gym, Rudy shares his story at 7. There is no admission, and the first 1,000 people receive free kinesiology T-shirts. Everyone can enter a drawing for more door prizes.
The Kinesiology Expo will feature vendors from various wellness organizations as well as universities offering advanced degrees in physical therapy, occupational therapy, clinical exercise, athletic training and more.
In concert with Tarleton’s Day of Service, those who attend Rudy’s Wednesday evening presentation are encouraged to bring two handfuls of change to support CFC International—a nonprofit organization founded by parents of children with cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome—and to honor Jacoby Conger.
The son of Tarleton Baseball Coach Bryan Conger, Jacoby was diagnosed with CFC just before he turned 8. Read more about CFC and the Conger family on pages 22 through 24 in the winter 2017 issue of Tarleton magazine at http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/495c4022.
The Distinguished Scholar Series is named in honor of Dr. Wendell Sadler—in his 25th year at Tarleton as a kinesiology professor—for his unyielding commitment to the development of academic scholars.
Prior to joining Tarleton, Sadler taught at the University of South Dakota, Temple Junior College and Texas A&M University, and coached tennis at all competitive levels. Recognized for excellence in the classroom and in coaching, he is recipient of the:
• Barry B. Thompson Service Award,
• O.A. Grant Teaching Award, and
• Trailblazer Award from the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD).
He was inducted into The Texas A&M University System Chancellor’s Academy of Teacher Educators in 2017, the Texas Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Campbellsville University (Kentucky) Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.
Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven educational experience, marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. Offering degree programs in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online to more than 13,000 students, Tarleton engages with communities through real-world learning experiences to address societal needs while maintaining its core values of integrity, leadership, tradition, civility, excellence and service.
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