By CHAD DRURY
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The next postseason basketball disappointment loomed right around the corner for the Rump family.
The father-son tandem of Rich and Ryan Rump had been so close in the past, only to see the tease become more painful the deeper into the bracket they went.
* Ryan Rump, playing for Fort Madison Aquinas in 1993 and 1994, lost to state-bound Winfield-Mount Union in the district finals both years. The first W-MU team was led by Jess Settles, the second by Klay Edwards. The second loss was difficult to digest; Aquinas was No. 1 and undefeated in Class 1A.
* Rich Rump, who is known as “Coach Dad,” coached Aquinas in 1998 and ‘99, but lost both years in the substate game. The first loss came against Preston, the second against Iowa Mennonite. Who knew Preston would alter Rich’s and Ryan’s lives years later?
* Andy Rump, an Aquinas player, lost in three straight substate games, two with his dad and another in 2000.
So imagine the scene Feb. 23 at Clinton High School. The seconds were dying, the Notre Dame High School crowd growing more lively with each passing second. Ryan Rump sitting immediately to his dad’s left, smiles on both men’s faces. The clock reaches zero. It’s difficult to see who embraces who, but both men know the past is history. After so many years of losing when dreams were at stake, both men are living the dream they had for each other when Ryan asked Rich to be an assistant coach seven years ago.
A state tournament appearance, within arm’s reach several times, finally was snatched with a 55-37 victory over Preston to secure a berth against George-Little Rock today at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
“My dad was so integral in my development in basketball,” Ryan Rump said. “The first thing I did when that clock hit zero was hug my dad. Then, when the line formed, I hugged my mom.”
At last, it was jubilation for the Rumps. Aquinas and Notre Dame had had terrific success, until the big games loomed. But Rich Rump is not living vicariously through his son. He’s proud of Ryan, knowing all the hard work over the years finally paid off.
“It was frustrating to get so close, which is why it is so special,” Rich said. “I’m so happy for Ryan. I’m happy and thrilled to be a part of it and I’m so thrilled that he’s going to be there.”
Matt Rump was a junior varsity assistant for six years under Ryan, until this year. Matt, two years younger, had his own share of tough defeats in district finals, including one on a buzzer-beater against Van Buren.
“Matt was a major factor in the success we’re having right now,” Ryan said. “He was a fundamentally sound player, and that’s how our younger players are. The only thing that could make this more special if he was on the bench right beside me and my dad.”
Still, the Rumps knew this year’s Nikes team had a chance to do special things. The team was experienced, had good size and athleticism and tremendous depth. But it would be hard to fault Rich and Ryan if they didn’t believe something would happen at the end. They’d experienced it themselves so many times, to think negatively would almost be natural.
The bad things that happened with a three-game losing streak after a 13-0 start, and five losses in nine games to close the regular season. A sputtering defense couldn’t give a potent offense a chance to win. No momentum heading into the postseason. That all changed in the tournament. The defense has never been better this season; the depth has never been more of a factor.
“It’s surreal because we expected something bad to happen,” Ryan said. “It had always happened before. Aquinas was snakebitten. There was a lot of success and heartbreak down there. It just didn’t happen to us this year.
“We knew we had the potential this year, but a lot of the pressure was self-inflicted,” Ryan said. “But we finally closed the deal. We finally had the excitement and satisfaction of getting to the pinnacle. It was relief. I’ve slept pretty comfortably since that win.”
Rich doesn’t say much on the bench. He’s more the strong-silent type, willing to offer his input any time Ryan asks for it, which is often. He’s not even listed on the team’s program. Yet, he’s the perfect complement to Ryan’s X’s and O’s mentality.
“Ryan is a great bench coach,” Rich said. “His ability to adjust is as good as any coach I’ve been around. He’ll ask for my input and bounce things off me. I’m with him to analyze the game, because decision-making in this game is split-second.”
Ryan is his father’s son. Rich was a fiery coach, as is Ryan. Ryan isn’t afraid to talk to officials during play. Ryan was temperamental early in his career, but has toned it down in recent years. This year’s team has made it easier.
“I think we’re seeing a more mature Ryan,” Rich said. “I had a lot of the same tendencies that he has. But it was important for him to maintain focus and represent the school well.”
“I pick and choose my spots,” Ryan chuckled. “I still yell a lot, but I’ve learned the kids respond to how you react. I’ve tempered some of it down and saved it for the locker room. We want to win and lose with class, and we do more of that now.”
The trip to state has been hard. The Nikes knocked off three tough teams in Holy Trinity, Iowa Mennonite and Preston, avenging two of Rich’s biggest losses as a head coach.
“To get to state in 1A is a grind,” Ryan said. “You run into at least two or three great teams. Holy Trinity has had our number in the postseason, and IMS has great tradition.”
No sense of relief would be complete for the Rumps without the matriarch of the family, Beth. Beth had seen every one of Ryan’s high school games and, coming from the Aquinas community, had to make adjustments when cheering for an arch-rival.
“Mom has lived and breathed basketball since she’s known my dad,” Ryan said. “She’s experienced a lot of the highs and lows with us. This is just as special to her as it is my dad. There is no bigger Notre Dame fan than my mom. She gets into it, and I’m not sure who’s more nervous, me or her.”
“(Beth) is the ultimate coach’s wife,” Rich said. “You have to be someone special to understand what coaches go through, all the time, practice, games and preparation. She’s the biggest supporter we have, in good times and bad.”
Rich and Ryan don’t know if this will be the first, or last, trip to the state tournament they make together. Qualifying for state is a long process that takes months to accomplish, and only eight teams are fortunate enough to advance. That is why they are both taking it in stride. Sure, they’d like to bring a title back to Burlington, but no one is taking it granted.
“Every year is different and you wipe the slate clean,” Rich said. “There are no guarantees. The sense of joy never gets old, no matter how close or the number of times you’ve been there. This is just an unbelievable feeling.”
Ryan seconded his father’s opinion.
“No matter what happens,” Ryan said, “this will stay with my family as long we live.”
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