People 3, Statistics 0

To celebrate 175 years since Carthage’s founding, each 2022 issue of The Carthaginian examines some of the multi-generational connections that have fueled the College’s lasting success.

CARTHAGE AT 175: Athletic legacy values the humans behind the touchdowns

During her four years as equipment manager, Liz DeFelice ’05 felt just as much a part of the Carthage football program as the starting quarterback.

She was here for the memorable 2004 season, when the squad reached the NCAA Division III quarterfinals. But the guy leading the program left an imprint on her that far outlasted the victory celebrations.

The late Tim Rucks ’83 took a genuine interest in everyone, no matter where they stood on the depth chart — or off it entirely, in this case. When life got difficult, Coach Rucks persuaded Ms. DeFelice to keep going.

“You could go into his office and talk to him at any time about anything,” she recalls.

Unsure what to do after graduation, Ms. DeFelice dreaded giving up her job with the Athletic Department.

Using his connections, Coach Rucks showed she could make a career out of it.

“He came to my graduation party. What head coach does that for the equipment manager?” she says, still amazed 17 years later.

As director of equipment operations for Temple University, an NCAA Division I program in Philadelphia, Ms. DeFelice continually tries to replicate the culture Coach Rucks instilled.

“In every equipment room I have been a part of, I have tried to make it a family-like atmosphere like he showed me when I first started working with the football team,” she says. “Even among all the athletes I deal with day in and day out, I try to build relationships — not treat them as just numbers.”

After a brief pro career as an offensive lineman, Coach Rucks turned around the football program at North Park University before returning to his alma mater in 1995.

Espousing the acronym ACE — attitude, character, and enthusiasm — the “gentle giant” was known for his upbeat, handwritten notes. Coach Rucks rejected the hurried, down-to-business culture, starting conversations by asking for personal updates.

That was just one of many lessons Coach Rucks adopted from his own Carthage coach and mentor: the late Art Keller ’44. They began many days with a 15-minute chat and plenty of laughter.

After several years at Carthage High School in western Illinois, Coach Keller moved across town in 1952 to direct the athletic program and coach at the College. As he later joked to his family, he almost turned around and went back after only 19 players — mostly Korean War veterans — showed up for the first day of practice.

Thankfully, he stuck with it. In 31 years, Coach Keller’s football teams won 177 games and eight College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin titles.

“No matter what your talent was, he’d try to work with it,” says his daughter Sharon (Keller) Matusevicius ’70.

A devout Christian, he could be brutally honest and caring at the same time. Once, after cutting a player, Coach Keller persuaded him to channel that passion as the team manager. They formed a lasting connection. Stop us if this sounds familiar.

Years later, as his team practiced and played on Art Keller Field, Coach Rucks wanted players to feel the powerful tradition its namesake established. Even after Art died, his wife, Beverly (Hand) Keller ’61, had an open invitation to team meetings.

Sometimes fiery competitors are the best allies. Pass it on.