Rutschman gets his due from Hilhi
by Steve Poehler, Hillsboro Argus
Tuesday July 7, 2009, 3:00 AM
A sign at the entrance reads, "Welcome to Hare Field Athletic Complex." Below, two lines say, "Elden Kellar Track" and "Craig Ruecker Stadium."
The latest addition? "Ad Rutschman Baseball Stadium."
Yes, in a tribute that most in attendance said was long overdo, the Hillsboro High School community honored local legend Ad Rutschman with a ceremony Saturday afternoon at newly renamed Rutschman Stadium.
The dedication also included the official unveiling of the field's new electronic scoreboard, which was installed above the left-field wall in early May.
"It's about time we've been able to honor him for all he's done," current Hilhi athletic director Steve Drake told the audience.
Former and current Spartan players and coaches, friends and family came together for a barbecue and the dedication, all to pay tribute to Rutschman.
Earlier in the day, Rutschman served as the grand marshal for the Hillsboro Rotary's Fourth of July Parade that snaked through the streets of downtown.
"I want to thank you very much for this very special and wonderful honor," Rutschman told the crowd.
Following Drake's introduction, five Hilhi graduates spoke about Rutschman.
First up was Larry Binkerd, class of 1961, who had the not-so-easy task of trying to list some of Rutschman's numerous accomplishments.
Rutschman, a 1950 Hilhi graduate, later coached his alma mater to state titles in baseball and football. By the time he left for Linfield College in 1968, his Spartan baseball teams had racked up a 246-79-1 record, and his football squads had gone 58-30-8.
While at Linfield, Rutschman guided the football program for 24 seasons and the baseball program for 13 seasons, and he worked as the athletic director for 25 years.
He retired from coaching in 1991 and as the AD in 1996.
Rutschman was inducted into the hall of fames of the NAIA (1988), Oregon Sports (1993), College Sports (1998) and Linfield (1998). He was also named Oregon's Slats Gill man of the year five times.
"Congratulations, coach, this day is kind of for you," Binkerd said.
Bob Mewhinney (1970), Greg Lord (1967), Dan Rickard (1967) and Ron Webb (1968) also got a chance to tell stories and talk about the impact of Rutschman and his wife of 57 years, Joan.
Mewhinney said he's never met a man that he respected more or a better person than Ad.
"This is where coach Rutschman taught us to be a man," said Lord, referring to the baseball and football fields at the Hare Complex.
Said Rickard: "I never played for a better coach, and I've never known a better person than coach Rutschman."
Drake said the $40,000 scoreboard wouldn't have been possible if not for the generous donation of time, money and labor by the Hillsboro baseball community, Ken and Roman Gratteri and the Hoffman family, among others.
by Steve Poehler, Hillsboro Argus
Tuesday July 7, 2009, 3:00 AM
A sign at the entrance reads, "Welcome to Hare Field Athletic Complex." Below, two lines say, "Elden Kellar Track" and "Craig Ruecker Stadium."
The latest addition? "Ad Rutschman Baseball Stadium."Yes, in a tribute that most in attendance said was long overdo, the Hillsboro High School community honored local legend Ad Rutschman with a ceremony Saturday afternoon at newly renamed Rutschman Stadium.
The dedication also included the official unveiling of the field's new electronic scoreboard, which was installed above the left-field wall in early May.
"It's about time we've been able to honor him for all he's done," current Hilhi athletic director Steve Drake told the audience.
Former and current Spartan players and coaches, friends and family came together for a barbecue and the dedication, all to pay tribute to Rutschman.
Earlier in the day, Rutschman served as the grand marshal for the Hillsboro Rotary's Fourth of July Parade that snaked through the streets of downtown.
"I want to thank you very much for this very special and wonderful honor," Rutschman told the crowd.
Following Drake's introduction, five Hilhi graduates spoke about Rutschman.
First up was Larry Binkerd, class of 1961, who had the not-so-easy task of trying to list some of Rutschman's numerous accomplishments.
Rutschman, a 1950 Hilhi graduate, later coached his alma mater to state titles in baseball and football. By the time he left for Linfield College in 1968, his Spartan baseball teams had racked up a 246-79-1 record, and his football squads had gone 58-30-8.
While at Linfield, Rutschman guided the football program for 24 seasons and the baseball program for 13 seasons, and he worked as the athletic director for 25 years.
He retired from coaching in 1991 and as the AD in 1996.
Rutschman was inducted into the hall of fames of the NAIA (1988), Oregon Sports (1993), College Sports (1998) and Linfield (1998). He was also named Oregon's Slats Gill man of the year five times.
"Congratulations, coach, this day is kind of for you," Binkerd said.
Bob Mewhinney (1970), Greg Lord (1967), Dan Rickard (1967) and Ron Webb (1968) also got a chance to tell stories and talk about the impact of Rutschman and his wife of 57 years, Joan.
Mewhinney said he's never met a man that he respected more or a better person than Ad.
"This is where coach Rutschman taught us to be a man," said Lord, referring to the baseball and football fields at the Hare Complex.
Said Rickard: "I never played for a better coach, and I've never known a better person than coach Rutschman."
Drake said the $40,000 scoreboard wouldn't have been possible if not for the generous donation of time, money and labor by the Hillsboro baseball community, Ken and Roman Gratteri and the Hoffman family, among others.
