Ruzika, left, with Bill Campbell and Rory Wilfork (CREDIT: Columbia College Today)
I have very sad news for Columbia football fans right now, Richard Ruzika '81, who towered over opponents as a 6-6 defensive lineman and part-time TE, has died at the age of 53.
Ruzika had such a strong senior year in 1980, that the NY Jets signed him and tried to make him into a full-time tight end. But Ruzika's path lay elsewhere.
He left Jet camp and signed on with Goldman Sachs, where he became a legend during a 30 year career as a commodities trader.
During that time he became a major financial contributor to Columbia athletics and the school in general.
He even won a Columbia alumnus' highest honor, the John Jay Award, in 2006.
Ruzika's death is a shock, as he surprisingly suffered a stroke during routine knee surgery. This kind of thing is not supposed to happen.
I know for a fact Ruzika read the original Roar Lions Roar blog daily and I was honored to have him follow the team through it.
Our condolences go out to all of his family and friends.
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