Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
"People who want it will become it."
This was the message Daniel Ruettiger brought to the students and staff at Warsaw Community High School Thursday morning, an event that was sponsored by The Dekko Foundation, the WCHS student council and numerous local businesses.
Ruettiger's message was about not worrying what other people think or say. It was a message that encouraged kids to dream, but to be dreamers that are doers.
In a nutshell, that's how one would describe the 53-year-old Ruettiger.
"Dreams are awesome things," Ruettiger said. "Imagination is an incredible thing. It's amazing where you can go."
The story of Daniel Ruettiger, more commonly known as Rudy, is nothing short of amazing itself and is unlike any other.
It starts in and around Joliet, Ill., where he was born and raised. After a series of twists and turns, successes and failures, it ends with him being carried off the football field at the University of Notre Dame, inspiring the motion picture "Rudy."
Ruettiger, born into a large Catholic family, attended Joliet Catholic High School. Classes and homework never being his priority early in life, he graduated third from the bottom in his class.
After school he joined the Navy, something he says his friends didn't understand. Ruettiger says he joined to serve his country during Vietnam, and that it was nothing new for people to doubt him or put him down.
Through all his trials and tribulations early in life, including the death of his best friend in a work accident, one thing never left him - his passion for Notre Dame football.
Ruettiger grew up watching Notre Dame football. He grew up wanting to be a part of it.
Just as the motion picture suggests, Rudy announcing his plans to play for the Irish brought on chuckles.
When all was said and done, Ruettiger proved his naysayers wrong.
"Basically, I want these kids here today to understand that you have to have commitment to something," Ruettiger said. "Don't ever quit."
After taking classes at Holy Cross, Ruettiger got into Notre Dame, despite graduating third from the bottom in high school.
He was a walk-on to the football team, and in a 1975 game against Georgia Tech saw playing time.
His total playing time for the Irish lasted a mere 27 seconds and included one tackle, but it went down in history as one of the greatest against-all-odds stories.
Ruettiger's teammates carried him off the field on their shoulders. That has happened to no other Irish player since.
Since his playing days - or rather playing seconds - at Notre Dame, Ruettiger has been invited to dinner at the White House and travels the country. Ruettiger, now living in Las Vegas, says he makes nearly 70 appearances per year to tell his story.
Ruettiger said it took him 10 years to get his movie produced, and amazingly enough his friends who previously put him down asked if they could attend the picture's premiere.
Ruettiger said yes, even told his friends he'd send a limousine to pick them up.
The limousine never showed.
Ruettiger's point was simple: "In life, go to the limousine. Don't wait for it to pick you up."
