Akron's Very Own Rudy

[GoZips]

Most of us are familiar with the inspirational movie about Daniel "Rudy" Rudlinger the famous Notre Dame football walk on.

"Rudy" all five foot nothing, one hundred and nothing without a speck of talent hung on as a member of the Notre Dame

football team's scout team for two years. Rudy is a real person; as is Akron's "Rudy", Luke Avsec, a walk on for the men's

basketball team.

Like the movie's Rudy, Luke works his tail off doing every job asked of him. Luke is usually one of the first on the floor before

practice, and usually one of the last to leave. Luke works on his game almost daily. Like Rudy, Luke is never going to rise

above the scout team. Rudy, er, Luke wears the same grungy red scout team practice jerseys every day. Akron's scout team

quickly learns and executes opponents offense and defense plays so the Blue team and White team can beat on them and

learn the opponents strengths and weaknesses.

Being on the scout team is a thankless job. At best, a scout player can expect to get a sort of "nuggie" to his head as a sign

of appreciation by the Blues & Whites. The job is difficult and it takes a strong spirit to bust one's butt when wearing a red

jersey. Most walk ons, Luke included, hope for the Blues and Whites to totally kick ass early in a game so they can get some

hard earned "garbage" minutes. Walk ons like Luke really appreciate the fans acknowledging their on the floor presence.

Next time you meet up one of Akron's unheralded scout players, let them know you appreciate their efforts to make the

Zips the best mid-major in the country.

and ... Go Zips ...!!!!

[Dr Z]

He was featured on Monday's Zips Basketball with Keith Dambrot Presented by FirstEnergy. Nice piece.

Going to Akron for engineering.