Words: Grant Dutro ’25
Photo: Jim Naprstek
Unlike most Thunder athletes, Craig Rusin ’28 did not start his career at Wheaton. Having played soccer since he was three years old, the northwest Indiana native was recruited by a D1 university. But the school wasn’t the right fit, and Rusin soon entered the transfer portal.
Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach Pablo Arriaga had tried to recruit Rusin in high school. When Arriaga saw Rusin in the transfer portal, he arranged for a tour with Head Coach Steve McCrath. “Everyone’s centered around their faith here, and Coach McCrath’s plan for the team moving forward was enticing,” said Rusin. “I wanted to be a part of that.”
Now a midfielder for the men’s soccer team, Rusin has felt welcomed as a teammate and a friend since day one. He values the team’s tight-knit camaraderie.
“I’ve never been on a team where everyone wants the best for each other. Even if that means you’re fighting for the same playing time, all the players are pushing themselves the hardest they can and the other person the hardest they can.”
Off the field, Rusin hopes to continue Do Good Be More, a nonprofit organization he started in 2015 that has organized food drives for animal shelters, collected soccer equipment for kids, and planned service events to help those in need. He wants to excel in his business/economics degree and perhaps explore the health sciences. He also wishes to win the conference tournament next year and compete nationally.
Most importantly, Rusin wants to keep having deep conversations, especially about faith, with his newfound friends.
“The depth of our friendships here is what’s making Wheaton that much more special.”
Don Brinks ’50 was a valued offensive lineman on Wheaton’s football team, suiting up for the Crusaders’ inaugural game in the College Conference of Illinois (now College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin). During his sophomore season, Don was named second team all-conference player on a team that went 7-1-1. Don earned second team all-conference honors again in his junior year on a team that went 6-2. As a cocaptain his senior year, Don helped lead the team to an 8-1 record. In 1980, he was inducted into the Wheaton Athletics Hall of Honor. At the time of this printing, he is the most senior living Wheaton varsity football player.
