The 2010 Big
Red Service Award is being presented to the late William “Bill”
R. Ruffing.
Bill was a
1965 graduate of Bellevue Senior High School, earned three
varsity letters in football, was a member of two NOL
championship teams in 1963 and 1964, and was a member of BSHS’s
first-ever varsity wrestling team.
After
graduating from school, Bill remained in his hometown to raise
his family and serve the school and community. Bill will always
be remembered for his service to the community, and for his
caring nature.
Bill’s
countless thoughts, ideas, and most importantly, his actions,
will never be forgotten by our Athletic Department, school
system, and community.
Bill was a
member of the Bellevue Redmen Athletic Boosters for many years
and served as president of the group from 1991 through 1993. He
was a true Bellevue Redmen fan and enjoyed working with and
engaging others to help and serve with him. He was a true role
model for community and school involvement.
In addition,
for 12 straight years, Bill and his crew fed all the students
and teachers at the Elementary Track & Field Day; began the Carl
Keske Scholarship, which continues to this day; donated numerous
prizes and cooked for all Gridiron Foundation Golf Scrambles and
other fund-raisers; fed all the BSHS sports teams meals at the
Sports Hut; donated countless hours to working on the concession
stand at BAF Stadium, painted the bleachers, and worked on many
other projects; and raised money hosting golf scrambles to help
benefit numerous park projects including lights at the Little
League field.
It seemed
like Bill was always doing something behind the scenes to help
our student-athletes. As one story goes in the late 1980’s or
early 1990’s, Bill was atop the BAF Stadium press box painting
the old wooden structure. It was a hot and humid night, the sun
was setting, and the mosquitoes were eating him alive as he
continued to paint. A voice from the field below shouted up to
Bill, “I am glad someone is taking care of this place.” It was
Charlie Sabo, who along with Terry Ruppert, spearheaded the
drive to build the stadium complex.
But that was
Bill. Always giving, always working, and always caring – most
often behind the scenes where no one would see. It is people
like Bill that the Redmen athletic tradition is built and based
upon. He was proud to be a part of that process.
