New Jersey City University Athletics

Jim Ruscick was a standout on the varsity basketball team from 1941 to 1943. He led all collegiate players on scoring throughout Hudson County in each of his two seasons, only the second player at that time to ever accomplish the feat. He averaged 16.7 ppg for the 1942-43 season-an extremely high average during that period of basketball.  His average in 42-43 was the best in the state and a record for Hudson County. Highlights of his career include setting the college single game scoring record (29pts.) during his freshman year and registering 24pts. before fouling out shortly before half-time in a contest against Newark State. He then entered the service and attended Drew University via the Navy V-12 program, earning honorable mention All America honors in basketball. He finished his college career at Roanoke College, leading the basketball team to a state championship, and was subsequently inducted as a charter member into the Roanoke Athletic Hall of Fame.