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The Chiefs Blackshirt Award, also referred to as the Warrior Chief, is the ultimate recognition in the Chiefs organization. Typically awarded to defensive players, the primary requirements for the Blackshirt Award include leadership, work ethic, discipline, and the undying love for being where they are and doing whatever is asked of them, sometimes in the face of unfavorable odds. The Warrior Chiefs are not always the fastest, or the strongest, or the most talented player on the teams, but they show the dedication, and perserverance to pick themselves up one more time than they are knocked down. To receive a Blackshirt means you have earned the respect of the coaching staff, and you have proven yourself to be counted on to give 110% in both practice and on the game field. Blackshirt recipients will forever be remembered for being the heart and soul of a team.
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2007 | |
Dalton Zielinski Trevor Bruegman Alex 'Turbo' Knudson Robert DiDonato Carter Wilken |
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2006 | |
Taylor Rothanzl Soren Brunken Caleb Schwartzkopf Parker Newman Paul 'Shotgun' Semin |
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2005 | |
Brian Pirrone Dylan Grell Tyler Moll Brenden Trout Kyle McMindes |
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2004 | |
David Ribar Alex Mortensen Bryce 'The Hammer' Trout Wes Karschner Shaun Knipfer |
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2003 | |
Danny 'The Block' Arrayo Alec 'Big Al' Smith Jimmy Forsythe Kyle 'Stinky' Case Brent 'Silk' Curtis |
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2002 | |
Taylor Anglemeyer Ryan Leonardo Paul Miller Matt Hagan Ben Karschner |
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2001 | |
Frank Semin Adam Fields Drew Nelson Blake Headley |
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2000 | |
Nick Rawley Sean Tekrony Branden Bartone Michael Pfeifer Brian Buttry |
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1999 | |
Jake Leonardo Brian Fields Todd Hatcher |
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1998 | |
Mark Waring |
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To honor the unsung heroes of the interior line, the Chiefs had a new award to present in 2005. The Jake Wolfe Trenches Award, named after a former Chief and blackshirt winner, Jake Wolfe, the award was created to represent the heart and skill level of the players on the offensive or defensive line who don't always get the recognition they deserve.
The award namesake, Jake Wolfe, was a Chief first, and advanced to a succesfull career at Millard North, where he was a 1st team all-state defensive end, as he anchored the defense of the 2005 Nebraska Class A champions. Jake recently signed a scholarship offer to Doane College.
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2007 | |
Branden Anderson Ben Barrett Matt Doeschot Dawson Wills Joe Knudson |
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2006 | |
Will Lutz Ben Barrett Austin Courtney Weston Schmitt Braxton Carr Ryan Taylor |
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2005 | |
DJ Barnes Branden Anderson Matt McCormick Nick Holthe Danny Lee |
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Daniel Ruettiger grew up in a middle class household; the third of fourteen children and the oldest boy. He attended Joliet Catholic High School, where he played for legendary coach Gordie Gillespie. After graduating high school, Ruettiger served as a yeoman in the United States Navy and worked in a power plant before returning to school at Holy Cross Junior College in South Bend, Indiana.
After two years at Holy Cross, and three rejections to matriculate at the University of Notre Dame, Ruettiger was accepted as a student in the Fall of 1974. It was during his time studying at Holy Cross that Ruettiger discovered he suffered from dyslexia.
Rudy harbored a dream to play for Ara Parseghian and the Fighting Irish football team, despite being just 5'6" and 165 pounds. Ruettiger earned a place on the Notre Dame scout team, a practice-squad that helps the varsity team practice for games, where he was often injured.
After Parseghian stepped down, Dan Devine was named head coach. In his last opportunity to play for Notre Dame at home, Devine allowed Ruettiger to play against Georgia Tech on November 8, 1975. The players on the 1975 team are rumored to have offered their starting positions to allow Rudy to make the limited size game roster. It was the final play of Rudy's senior season with the fighting Irish. Rudy recorded a sack and that is all his Notre Dame stat line has ever shown. Ruettiger was carried off the field by his teammates following the game. He graduated from Notre Dame in 1976 with a degree in Sociology.
As portrayed in the motion picture, Rudy, the story is one of perserverance and overcoming physical and mental odds. Rudy Ruettiger was an inspiration to many, and he showed the world what can be done when you refuse to let everyone tell you what you can and can not do.
The Chiefs will elect to give this award whenever an athlete of exceptional character comes through our ranks. It may go years without being presented, and in certain years we may give out the award to multiple players. In the 2005 inaugural presentation, there was only one who fulfilled the requirements, who went above and beyond everything that can be asked.
The 2005 Daniel E. 'Rudy' Ruettiger Award For
Leadership And Inspiration Was Presented To
Brent 'Silk' Curtis