THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 6, 1996 TAG: 9604060414
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Rusty LaRue is not as busy as you might think.
Oh, he's busy. Busier than you. But LaRue, who is a basketball/football/baseball player at Wake Forest, a computer science major with a 3.3 average, and a husband and new father, actually makes time for spare time.
``I probably have a little more time than people think,'' said LaRue, who is in town playing in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. ``I play three sports, but you can only play one at a time.
``I do spend a lot of time studying, and practicing, and doing community things. But I have time at night. I watch TV, go to the movies and stuff.''
LaRue's career at Wake - indeed his whole life - is like something out of a 1950s movie. And not just because he wears his hair in a a crew cut.
As Wake's quarterback, LaRue set a bunch of NCAA passing and total offense records last fall, while compiling a 4.0 average. He stepped right into basketball and had his best season, averaging 10.1 points and shooting 46 percent from 3-point range.
On Jan. 31, LaRue became a father. His son, Riley, was born at 4 a.m. At 7 p.m., LaRue took the court against N.C. State and scored seven points in Wake's 66-62 win.
Since then he's balanced 2 a.m. feedings, books, and basketball, and found time for all of it.
``(Fatherhood) is a pleasant distraction,'' said LaRue, an Oak Ridge, N.C. native. ``I get home, it gets me away from everything. You know, he's gonna love me whether I do good or bad on the court.
``I really enjoy everything. It never really taxes me. It's all a matter of managing your time. You can find time to do what you want to do if you set out to do it.''
LaRue would have had more time if he had concentrated on one sport. But his father, Bob, said Rusty never considered giving up something.
``He takes after his mother,'' said Bob LaRue, who played a year of freshman basketball at Old Dominion in 1968-69. ``He's a workaholic. And he's always loved to compete. I've noticed that since he was four or five years old.''
LaRue has given up baseball, but he's still not sure if his professional future is in football or basketball.
``I'm trying to find out what the scouts think is my best chance in what sport.''
His chance to impress NBA scouts comes this week. He scored seven points Thursday night for Sales Systems in a 78-72 win over Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
Known primarily as a spot-up shooter in his first three years, the 6-foot-2 LaRue expanded his game this year. He played some point guard, showing an improved ability to handle the ball and create his own shot.
``I got better as the year went on, and showed a lot more things,'' he said. ``They asked a little more of me my senior year, and I enjoyed that.''
Even if he doesn't make the NBA or NFL next year, LaRue will be gainfully employed. His background in math and computer science and his obvious ability to get things done have earned him several job offers.
``I've got people who've called me. Whenever my playing days are over, I'll get a good job. I did the things right in high school and college to get myself where I need to be.
``Right now, I'm just trying to concentrate on achieving a dream, and that's trying to play a professional sport.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Wake Forest's Rusty LaRue is a 3-sport star, honor student and
father of a newborn.
by CNB