A Dream or Pure Craziness? The Anthony Ruccolo Story

Hello fellow followers,

Every year around this time sports fans are busy filling out brackets and waiting for selection Sunday to determine if their team gets in and where they fall in the tourney of 64. Also, this time of year brings back memories of players and teams captivating an audience and nation turning them into the underdog/feel good story. Well today I have an exclusive one on one story about a Windsor Lancer athlete trying to cut his teeth back into a game he fell in love with in high school. The Anthony Ruccolo story will surely raise questions of when to call it quits on chasing a dream or if the possibility of dawning a game day uniform is truly worth the physical toll his body will take during a full football season. That is for you, the readers, to determine.

"I'm first team all-state out hear, I'll make it rain if you listen!"

Anthony Giuseppe Ruccolo was born January 5th, 1990 in Windsor, Ontario. Raised in Windsor, his parents Cathy and Lucio quickly noticed the athletic abilities their son possessed. Anthony grew up playing a multitude of sports but football and baseball became instant hits for Anthony. Growing up a Dallas Cowboys fan, Anthony carried his intense athletic abilities to St. Thomas Villanova in Lasalle, Ontario. There, Ruccolo starred in football and baseball becoming a WECSAA All-Star multiple times. In baseball, Ruccolo carved his own behind the plate taking command of any given ball game and helping his Wildcats to successful seasons under his leadership. His loveable demeanor made Ruccolo an instant hit and easy to get along with. When on the offensive prowl Ruccolo was feared by opposing pitchers where he routinely ran their ERA up to a point where the words "walk" and "Ruccolo" went together in the same sentence. On the football field, Ruccolo had a mean streak in him that made him feared by opponents. Ruccolo had a mix of speed and agility unmatched by any other running back within the Wilson Conference. Ruccolo was "The" running back. The scouting report on Ruccolo read as follows:

Anthony Ruccolo
6'1, 225lbs
Aggressive with speed to burn
Great athletic abilities with natural gifts that cannot be taught
Whatever sport he will be successful

THE Running Back!

Scouts described Ruccolo as the perfect mix of the two way football player. Speed to burn in the backfield which made defenders wish they were not even born and closing speed on the defensive side of the ball that made the thunderous cracks of the helmet heard around the stadium. Scouts have often wished Youtube was the craze it is today to help recount the moments where Ruccolo would close the gap on a opposing running back to light him up like a Christmas tree stopping him dead in his tracks. Ruccolo was also one part of a trio that helped raise Villanova to the prominence is has today. Ruccolo along with Luke Wilson and Nick Corrado provided the heart of the Wildcats offence and backbone of its defense.

Luke Wilson, Nick Corrado and Ruccolo

It was upon graduation from Villanova that Ruccolo had to make a choice, follow his love for baseball or football. After intense discussions, Ruccolo decided to take his talents to the St. Clair College and dominant the diamonds. Football took a backseat but not for too long. After finishing up at St. Clair, Ruccolo headed exactly 7.6km's North to the University of Windsor where he hit the books and continued the baseball dream. One problem though, the U of W does not have a varsity baseball team. So Ruccolo took part in the club that traveled and played against other teams in the US and Canada but something was irritating Anthony. Sure enough the football bug had bit Ruccolo and the fever that raged was indescribable.

Ruccolo first reported the idea to fellow friends and varsity football players Sam Malian, Brad Adams and Andrew Bakos in a joking way. That joke quickly turned reality as Ruccolo knew he wanted back on the football team. The only way to get their was to get into shape and Anthony knew that would not be the problem but rather would his body respond to such physical demands. Anthony has assured me that so far his body is reacting just fine and he plans to keep pushing himself to get to that next level.

Anthony sets his iphone alarm every morning to 4:45am where he will then prep himself for his 530am morning lifts and power runs on Friday mornings. Ruccolo has his sights set on Spring camp where he feels will be his springboard to training camp in August. Impressions are everything and based on Ruccolo's track record, this should not pose any problems. Over the weekend Ruccolo will be put through a series of tests including max bench press, 225lb reps, the shuttle run and everyone's favourite.... the 40 yard dash. If my numbers are correct Ruccolo should leave an impression that Coach Joe D'Amore will find hard to miss. With an assumed sub 4.8 forty and upper body strength that has come natural to Ruccolo since high school, I am looking forward to seeing Ruccolo's performance this weekend. I can just imagine Ruccolo on special teams where Ruccolo and his 225lb frame comes barreling through and absolutely explodes on the returner, causes a fumble and picks it up for a touchdown. What's not to like?!

"One more time coach, I got this guy"

Now the question everyone is thinking..... is it worth physical risk that your body will take to pull that jersey over your head once again. Ruccolo says yes and supports his answer by saying this is his one opportunity, his one shot (Eminem would be honoured to have his song in this blog post). Clearly he does not want to wake up one day 20 years from now and say "I could have done this" or "would have done that" if he went back to football. Ruccolo wants to prove he belongs and that he deserves to play an active role in helping the Lancers become a perennial contender.

A large reason why Ruccolo has not given in to the early morning workouts or the constant joking from fellow friends and athletes is a fella by the name of Chris Deneau. Deneau starred in that infamous linebacker core with Ruccolo at Villanova and desperately wants the other half of the bash brothers back in action this upcoming season. Along with Deneau, classmates and colleagues Sam Malian, Brad Adam, Andrew Bakos,  Nick Corrado and Luke Wilson are all supporting Ruccolo in his effort to find his groove once more.

Now like any other athlete Ruccolo's parents have different opinions of his participation in football once again. Anthony's mother Cathy thinks he is part crazy and worried he will get hurt while his father, Lucio, is all for the idea partly because he did not have a chance to play growing up. Though like any parent will tell you who reads this blog, mother's have a different attachment to their children then father's so this reaction is quite common among parents with children in contact sports. To top things off Anthony's beautiful sister, Erica, who has supported Anthony every step of the way, is happy but proud to know her brother is getting a shot to do what he truly loves.

Final thoughts from Anthony was very simple when asked if he was crazy for going after that football dream one more time. "Not everyone can say they play University level sports, let alone football. It's in my blood, it's in my genes and I couldn't picture myself not playing football."

"It isn't going to be easy, if it was then everyone would have done it. The path less traveled is best fit for me."
               
There you have it. A story that is bound to inspire no matter how old or what sport you watch.


For those wondering where "THE Running Back" came from.... here you go:



Until next time, enjoy selection Sunday and I will report back with brackets, winners and losers in the selection process and of course an update on the Anthony Ruccolo Story.  Cheers!