WAHPETON, N.D. — When the football season starts each year for the Wildcats at the North Dakota State College of Science, the team is a mix of skills and backgrounds.
“There are a lot of different paths that kids come through,” said Head Coach Eric Issendorf.
But this fall, Issendorf got a Hail Mary phone call he didn't expect.
“It’s a unique story,” he said. “It’s kind of uncharted territory.”
On the line was Ray Ruschel, an Army veteran and one-time high school linebacker who regretted skipping college — and college football — and knew the clock was running out.
“I had a bucket list,” said Ruschel. “(I thought) 'Why not?'”
So he started online classes, got in the best shape of his life and walked on, his first time in pads since 1991.
“When I’m committed, I’m committed,” said Ruschel. “(But) I never really thought I’d be playing college football at 49. Never.”
Yes, Ruschel is 49 years old. His two kids are both older than everyone on the team, and even he had doubts he could play.
“Being old, I wasn’t sure if my body would hold up to it,” said Ruschel. “You never know until you actually do it.”
But he does it, working full time as a graveyard shift mechanic, going to practice and earning a business management degree, sleeping just a few hours a night.
“It's kind of inspirational,” said teammate William Katchmark.
And no one’s more stunned than Ray himself, who still can’t believe he’s traded uniforms, going from camouflage to a college jersey.
"It's a bit surreal. It truly is,” said Ruschel. “Every time I get those pads on, I feel like a little schoolboy. I am living the time of my life. I am living every middle-aged guy’s dream playing college football.”
It's one dream of many, since Ruschel says he’s not done yet, already setting new goals and hoping others will too.
“There are people that look back on their high school years and think 'Oh, man, I really should have tried this,'” said Issendorf. “So Ray’s living that for a lot of people.”
“There are still a lot of things I want to do in life,” said Ruschel, “And what I hope people have gotten from my story is the fact that life is not over yet. Go after your dream.”
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