With all the discussion concerning the 2009 Observer-Reporter Boys Athlete of the Year, the Varsity Letters decided to issue an All Points Bulletin for a former honoree.
This week, we're looking for former Ringgold High School standout Robert Heller.
Heller enjoyed a fine varsity career at Ringgold, where he starred in football, basketball, baseball and track. Football proved to be Heller's best sport and he turned down at least one Division I offer to play defense to focus on being a running back. After a year at Kiski Prep, Heller went to Waynesburg University.
In his freshman year with the Yellow Jackets, Heller set nearly every record imaginable, including the NCAA all divisions single-season rushing record (2,176 yards), which put him on pace to be the all-time leading rusher in college football history.
Heller suffered a high-ankle sprain during the first game of his sophomore year. From there, things between Heller and Waynesburg U. turned ugly.
http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/09-18-heller-story
Heller never played again for Waynesburg.
http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Print/09-21-Heller-gone-column
Stories circulated about Heller transferring to Mount Union College and Marietta. Neither have been able to be proven correct.
Anyone with information on Heller's whereabouts is urged to contact the Varsity Letters.
8 comments:
Slippery Rock, supposedly.
So that's where great local running backs go to fizzle out..., ie Mike Vernillo.
There's always promise in the PSAC!
He had it made a Waynesburg if he didn't let his ego get in the way. 2000+ yards with 3 years left? He would have shattered the PAC records and possibly the national records. He would have found himself invited to a pro tryout. Now, he will just disappear.
I hear he is playing football at the D-III level. I am not sure which school. I am sure he will not last there he has really struggled with his decision making.
I am not trying to bash the kid but it is quite obvious from the Waynesburg debacle there are some issues.
Great talent,passed up offer to play DB at Miami of Ohio,wanted to play HB, grades kept him from enrolling and playing at Slippery Rock, enrolled and played a fifth yr of HS at The Kiski School, Waynesburg broke all NCAA records, soph hurt ankle and quit team. Rumors have him at Marietta and boxing.
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