Rally for Rusty Hilst vs. ALS

Rusty giving a wave of thanks to the crowd during his high school recognition when he retired from 50 years of broadcasting Salthawk football and basketball games.

The Rally for Rusty Hilst vs. ALS

“LET THE RALLY BEGIN”

Definition: Rally – “To draw or call (persons) to a common action or effort.”

This is our Call to Action!

Friends of Rusty Hilst and family members were shocked in early December when Rusty was diagnosed with ALS, one of the most severe physical diseases known. This happened just around the time of Rusty’s 80th birthday.

Today, Rusty’s extensive network of friends who have known him and relied on him for half a century or more, are coming to “rally” for the common action of raising funds to mitigate big medical and other care expenses he will incur.

Time is of the essence since Rusty and his family have been told that he has bulbar onset ALS. In bulbar ALS the muscles involved in breathing, speaking, and swallowing are affected first.

For more information and updates on Rusty's condition, visit the Rally for Rusty Hilst Facebook page

We want to ask everyone who has the ability to give, that they give a contribution at a level of their comfort -- $5, $10, $25 or whatever. If one can give more, all the better, but every contribution is meaningful and appreciated.

If you are unable to contribute monetarily, please send this information to your network of friends who may have been influenced by Rusty as a teacher, coach, broadcaster or just a generally good friend.

Our initial goal is to raise $125,000 that will cover his medical prescription co-pay, the cost of renovations to his home to make it wheelchair accessible and many other anticipated expenses as he battles this terrible disease.

Dr. Chris Rodgers, a close friend of Rusty’s in Hutchinson, wrote the following summary of ALS. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The cause is unknown. It attacks the nerves that control voluntary muscles—the ones we control for activities of daily life. As the disease progresses and the nerves die, victims lose strength and eventually the ability to move arms, legs, body or even control breathing. In most cases, the mental function remains normal with sharp clear minds in many cases.”

Link to VIDEO FROM RUSTY’S RETIREMENT AT THE SCHOOL

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A LIFE OF SERVICE AND GIVING BACK

Anyone who knows Russell “Rusty” Hilst, knows that his entire life has consisted of giving back, a life of service to his church, to his teaching profession and to youth.

Born in Meade, Kansas, Rusty is a Hutchinson High School graduate and a lifelong resident of that central Kansas community.

He’s been the revered teacher at Hutchinson High School, Kansas and the “Voice” of the Hutchinson Salthawks and Hutchinson Blue Dragons for more than half a century. He’s been involved in coaching and promoting junior golf in Kansas for more than four decades. There have been numerous rallies that Rusty has witnessed during his lifetime as an educator, coach, radio announcer and golf tournament administrator.

Rana. One of the hardest working (and nicest) kids Rusty ever taught.

EDUCATING YOUTH

Rusty’s service-oriented life has primarily revolved around youth – thousands of students that he taught for more than 50 years at Hutchinson High School and student-athletes that he coached on the Salthawk golf team for more than three decades. For more than four decades he promoted, worked at, and supported junior golf during summer months at tournaments around the Sunflower State.

Rusty taught some of the several thousand students that came through Hutchinson High School during his 54 years in the classroom. He taught all levels of Math and served as the Department Chair for decades.

His award-winning broadcasting career is just another example of his service to sports and youth where he was the “voice” of the Salthawks and Blue Dragons for half a century, extolling the teams of Hutchinson High School and Hutchinson Community College. Rusty has always had that encouraging word about never giving up, teaching youth lessons not only in the classroom but also life lessons. His service has been recognized by thousands throughout his lifetime in education and golf.

Rusty’s golfing friends might say that he’s on the Back 9 and making one more comeback to finish the round under par. However, everyone knows the reality of this incurable disease. Our goal is to help Rusty make this time as comfortable and meaningful as possible.

Rusty coached the Salthawks to two state championships in golf during his 30-plus years leading the program.

TESTIMONIALS ABOUT RUSTY HILST

Here are some of Rusty’s close friends sharing thoughts about the impact he’s had on their lives:

“When I think of Rusty Hilst at Hutchinson High School, you can pick whatever superlative you’d like, a legend, an icon, a face on Mt. Rushmore, whatever you want to pick, it certainly fits Rusty. His impact on students here at Hutch High in the community has been profound.” – Ron Roehm, Hutchinson High Principal (1998-2019), Hutchinson, KS

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“One word that describes Rusty is “awesome.” The impact that Rusty has had on all of

us – students, players on his golf teams, radio folks and all of his golf and non-golfing friends—has been extraordinary. There’s never been a better person to have as a friend.” – Jeff Burey, Kansas Golf Hall of Fame Inductee, 2022, Overland Park, KS

Rusty and Rudy Koenig with SNAG GOLF EQUIPMENT, a program that introduces elementary students to the game through school.

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“The amount of ways that that man can take something to most people that is so boring and put it into so many different ways, so many different words, make pictures of it to reach people who have to learn in a lot of different ways, it’s incredible.” – Brooks Armstrong, Former Student and Teacher at Graber Elementary, Hutchinson, KS

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“He actually taught my son, who was a kindergartner at the time, how to count to 50. How to do math, not only subtraction but addition. He’s a pre-K guy. Rusty can not only teach the really, really smart kids, he can teach anybody. He’s amazing, an amazing teacher.” – Charlie Pierce, Hutchinson High School teacher and successor to Rusty as HHS golf coach, Hutchinson, KS

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“The name Rusty Hilst is synonymous with Kansas junior golf. There is no person that is a bigger supporter of junior golf and the amateur game than Rusty. His 40+ years working for Kansas Golf Association/Central Links Golf is a testament to his dedication and love for the game.” - Casey Old, Director, Rules and Competitions, Central Links Golf, Lawrence, KS

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Rusty Hilst on his broadcasting career of nearly 50 years:

“It’s been my hobby. If you want to hear me get passionate sometime, talk to me about

education and working with young people.”

Some of Rusty’s Career Highlights/Honors:

“LET THE RALLY FOR RUSTY BEGIN!”

Rusty was enlisted to provide Scoreboard duties at hundreds of Kansas Golf Association, Central Links Golf and United States Golf Association championship events across the United States for more than 40 years.

Rusty doing one of his favorite things – practicing his golf swing. That swing and his talent produced 7 Club Championships at Prairie Dunes Country Club and 5 Hutchinson City Championships. He also holds the Carey Park Golf Course scoring record at 11-under-par 60.