“Jedi” J Nusbaum : College Bound

By Sullivan Carter

One thing college scouts can count on is finding classy and skilled athletes at RAL. This year, one exceptional athlete, J Nusbaum, is keeping the college sports tradition alive.

 On February 3 in the RAL auditorium, Nusbaum officially signed the letter of intent to play football at MSU Northern With a three fourths football scholarship.

Nusbaum played an extraordinary season of high school football which earned him first team all league defensive back and first team all league kick returner along with first team all state defensive back and state honorable mention wide receiver.

“The reason I chose MSU Northern is, just by watching one highlight film,  they made me a scholarship offer immediately,” Nusbaum said

 Nusbaum is following a prestige class of athletes. Last year , two students  received sports scholarships to four year universities: Scott Shelton received a full tuition scholarship to Central Washington University for football, and Bailey Harris received a full ride scholarship to UW for softball.

“So few people get the chance to compete in college sports so I feel that it is an honor to be asked to play anywhere,” Nusbaum said.

J Nusbaum knows that playing at a higher level will not be easy and there is a lot of hard work ahead of him. He plans on hitting the weights  hard this off-season to get bigger, faster, and stronger.

“If I can really get my weight up and maintain my grades, I will be good to go,” Nusbaum said.

J plans on majoring in education and  becoming a middle school or high school teacher. Also, he wishes to get a degree in coaching and become a head football coach someday.

Over 200 students, friends, and family members attended J’s signing ceremony. Athletic Director Ty Morris spoke about his memories of J over the past four years. Following him, head football coach Eric Bertram spoke of J’s ambition and accomplishments and the importance of his teammates. After the speeches a highlight film of J’s senior year was shown and preceding that, the signing of the letter of intent.