2010 Big Red Service Award
William "Bill" Ruffing
William "Bill" Ruffing
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
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