If you are a student at Ramapo, you have undoubtedly heard of Casey Grusser. Being the star quarterback of the football team and a D1 commit to Merrimack, where he plans to major in business, Casey has exemplified what being a Ramapo athlete means.
Grusser started playing football in third grade. The sport sparked his interest when he and his brothers would watch NFL football on Sundays and “wanted to be just like them.” Grusser says that both his older brothers always pushed and inspired him to be the best athlete that he could be.
Like any athlete, Grusser has faced some setbacks in his successful career in football. Grusser says, “I was always the undersized kid throughout elementary and middle school, and I think that pushed me to work harder.” Grusser also says that he suffered from concussions throughout his freshman and sophomore years, which set him back both physically and mentally. Although these events occurred, they pushed him to be a better athlete and work harder towards his goals.
His hard work paid off. Grusser was named 1st-Team All-County and to the All-State Team. Not only that, he was named the North Jersey Athlete of the week and led Ramapo to the Group 4 sectional Championship – twice!
Grusser’s favorite part of the sport is the tight-knit team and the close connections he makes with people he might not have known before. Grusser said his greatest strengths are improvising and turning a play that did not go well into something, a task that is easier with a supportive coaching staff and team.
His teacher, Mrs. Laughman, states, “Casey may be known for his determined and attentive focus on the field, but his witty sense of humor is what we enjoyed the most in our English class. He made us laugh every day. No matter the challenge, his good-natured attitude reminds us to enjoy ourselves along the way. That attribute, along with his kindness and quiet fortitude, will serve him well on every path and goal he sets before himself.”
Grusser’s teammate and friend, Peter Amerio, said, “Quarterback is 100% the hardest position in football. You have to read the defense, make reads in a split second, and have to command the offense to make it work, and the quarterback is always under a ton of pressure to make the right decision. Casey thrives under pressure, and even when he is under pressure while passing or swarmed by the defense, he can use his athleticism to get out of a difficult situation. Casey is a great leader; everybody on the team looks up to him. He strives to make everyone around him better and lead the team.”
All in all, Grusser shows the true qualities of a successful athlete and a great friend. His high school career might be ending, but his entire football career is just getting started. Ramapo wishes him luck in the things he does and the things that he will accomplish at Merrimack, and beyond!
