Dulka Earns the 2020 Rittichier Award
12/14/2020 2:52:00 PM | Football, The Golden Flashes Club
KENT, OHIO- The Kent State Golden Flashes football team carried on a honored tradition on Monday, presenting senior tight end Adam Dulka with the Jack Rittichier Memorial Trophy, an award given annually by the team that exemplifies the character and leadership Jack displayed.
One of the most valued traditions in the Kent State football program, the Rittichier Award honors one of the most iconic moments in Golden Flashes football history and honors a man who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Rittichier was the captain of the football team, track team and the Air Force ROTC during his Kent State career. In 1954, it was Jack's 90-yard run late in the fourth quarter that propelled the Golden Flashes to a win over rival Bowling Green. That run and that victory helped secure the program's first bowl berth in the 1954 Refrigerator Bowl against Delaware. The trophy epitomizes that moment and is based off a famous photo of the run. A sculpture sits on the south end of Dix Stadium and Dulka's name will be added to the sculpture's base.
"Jack was one to lead by example, he wasn't one for speeches or a big rah-rah guy," Allan Kaupinen, a teammate of Rittichiers, said during the award presentation. "We knew we wanted to do something to commemorate his legacy and this award does just that."
After his football career, Rittichier joined the Air Force with dreams of becoming a fighter pilot. He did just that, flying for the Strategic Air Command during the Cold War. Upon his exit from the Air Force, he discovered a love of flying helicopters, which led him to answer an ad from the Coast Guard.
"He wanted to fly rescue missions, he wanted to help people," Jim Loomis, a retired Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander said. "So, we sent him to Navy flying school, he did relief missions in the United States, helping with flood relief, before being sent to Vietnam."
Rittichier's missions were to save fighter pilots who had been shot down, often behind enemy lines.
"Jack was always volunteering for these dangerous missions," Loomis recalled. "It was that unselfishness that ultimately cost him his life."
Rittichier is one of the most celebrated heroes in the history of the United States Coast Guard. Loomis, like Rittichier, is one of 11 Coast Guard pilots remembered for serving in combat rescue missions during the Vietnam War. In 2009, Loomis gained the support of the Coast Guard Aviation Association to turn his suggestion for the award into reality.
"Very thankful to receive the award and learning about Jack and his sacrifice has been awesome," Dulka said. "If anyone could display a fraction of his leadership during his career and his service, we would all be better people. I am honored to have my name alongside his."
"Adam is one of the most selfless guys I have ever had the privilege to coach," head coach Sean Lewis said. "He is always sacrificing for the good of the team. He was one of the vocal leaders during this season and he possesses all of the characteristics that we look for when giving out this incredible award."
