15 days and counting to Miller Time (Nov. 15 vs. NAU)
Rustand distinguished as player and now CEO
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By Javier Morales
Try this bit of trivia as we delve deeper into UA hoops history: Name the only players selected at least three times to an all-conference team in Wildcat history:
Answer:
- Warren Rustand (All-WAC, 1963, 1964 and 1965)
- Sean Elliott (All-Pac-10, 1987, 1988 and 1989)
- Damon Stoudamire (All-Pac-10, 1993, 1994 and 1995)
- Michael Wright (All-Pac-10, 1999, 2000 and 2001)
- Jason Gardner (All-Pac-10, 2000, 2002 and 2003)
Warren Rustand
Rustand is also one of three former Wildcats who earned Academic All-American honors (1965). Bob Elliott (1975, 1976 and 1977) and Matt Muehlebach (1991) are the others. He also holds the distinction of being the only basketball standout who was also student body president.
Rustand’s basketball feats matched with his classroom success exemplifies what he is all about today. He arguably is the most successful ex-Cat aside from basketball.
He was good enough to be selected as the first pick in the fourth round of the 1965 NBA draft by the San Francisco Warriors — the 31st pick overall. That is the equivalent of being the first selection of the second round today. Despite being a guard, he led the Wildcats three straight years in rebounding with nine a game. He won a silver medal as part of the U.S. team that played in the World Basketball Championships.
He never did play in the NBA. He instead focused his attention to his business and political endeavors.
Rustand, who looks like he can still play full-court hoops at 66, is now listed by Forbes magazine as one of the world’s business leaders. He is the CEO of TLC Vision Corp., director of MedPro safety products and lead director of Providence Service Corp.
More impressive Rustand feats:
- He has served as a member of the board of director of over 40 public, private, and not-for-profit organizations serving as chairman of more than half of those organizations.
- He was selected in 1973 as a White House Fellow through a nationally competitive process and joined the staff of Vice President Gerald Ford, as Special Assistant and Director of Scheduling.
- In August 1974, Ford became president, and Rustand was asked to join Ford as his Appointments Secretary. In that capacity, Rustand created the president’s schedule, served as leader of the International Advance Team, managed the Cabinet Speakers Bureau, and was Cabinet Secretary.
- He is also a member of the UA sports hall of fame and he is an active supporter of the athletic program as one of the elite members of the Wildcat Club.
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Tags: UA basketball countdown 2009, Warren Rustand
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This entry was posted on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 3:17 AM and is filed under UA basketball countdown. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
October 31st, 2009 at 7:10 AM
JM any news on what will happen with UA and the ncaa investigation about Lute’s letter? Seems like the case has dragged!
By the way does anyone else think the ncaa is a joke? I don’t know the details but this kid from WVU played on a team in Turkey that had a pro on it….20 game suspension. He did not get paid and kids go play at camps all the time w/ pros (Lebron dunk this summer)? John Wall had an agent pay close to $800 (i’m sure that amount is much more than that but who is counting right) for him to go on un official visit(s). He is suspended 2 games (one is an exhibition) and has to pay the money back. (In Wall’s mind: “Did something just attempt to hit my wrist?”). I’m sure the day after Kentucky loses in the sweet 16 Wall signs with him….again. I hope Callipari (sp?) someday buys his soul back on ebay or craigs list…..
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=ap-t25-wvirginia-kilicli&prov=ap&type=lgns
October 31st, 2009 at 7:40 AM
No news yet, which means the NCAA views it as a secondary violation or non-violation. The fact that Olson is not coaching any more also put it on the backburner. UA compliance director Bill Morgan told me recently he can’t comment on it. Any documents concerning an NCAA ruling are not posted, which means there are none because the NCAA.org site posts everything. I’m certain the UA will let everyone know the details if anything comes about.
November 1st, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Looking at the stat sheet offered by the website shared by Bulls&Cats, it looks like the returnees, including Shumpert, showed themselves well.
The nucleus of this team, at least early on and without the advantage of Wise today, will be Fogg, Lavender and Horne.
With Judkins, Jacobson and Shumpert, at least at first, spelling them nicely.
Add Nic to this mix – as the straw that stirs the drink – once he heals.
If this scrimmage is any indication, it appears the two sure things amongst the newcomers are Kyryl and MoMo.
Parrom, Williams and Hill will factor in though before too long, once they get in the groove of things.
As odd as this sounds, and of course I could be way off, UA could see a 12 man rotation throughout the season, with a different 8 or 9 getting primetime and the other 4 or 5 serving as latter day Muehlbachs, Masons, Buechelers and Terrys and loving it!
Call them set up and support men.
And does anyone know if any of the exhibition games will be televised anywhere?
This is no way for an elite program to operate.
Just me, that’s all.