50TH VANIER CUP INTERVIEW SERIES: Trevor Ludtke, University of Saskatchewan (1998)

50^TH VANIER CUP INTERVIEW SERIES: 1998

A conversation with...

Trevor Ludtke, linebacker, University of Saskatchewan Huskies

In Vanier Cup XXXIV, at Toronto’s SkyDome, the Saskatchewan Huskies edged the Concordia Stingers 24-17 to capture their second national title in three years, and the third in program history. It marked the third Vanier Cup appearance in five seasons for the Huskies, who had suffered a heartbreaking loss in overtime in 1994 before triumphing in 1996 and 1998. One of the six U of S players who suited up for all three CIAU finals was linebacker Trevor Ludtke, who was named game MVP in 1998 after he recovered a fumble in the end zone for the winning touchdown with 2:08 left on the clock.

What is your major memory of the entire Vanier Cup week and the overall experience in 1998?

I would have to say the overall calmness. In 1994, it was mind-blowing to go to the Vanier Cup in my first season and there was an overall tense vibe that went with it. Then, 1996 was critical to prove to ourselves that we could finish it off and win the whole thing, so we put a lot of pressure on ourselves. The 1998 team was a very veteran group. We all believed in each other and knew that we could win it all, and I believe that led to a very calm, confident Vanier week.

What is your one major lasting memory of the actual game?

Of course I remember the defence all coming together for a big hug after the late touchdown, and then the field getting rushed after the game.

But I still remember the one blemish on an otherwise outstanding defensive game. We let their tailback run for 55 yards for a touchdown on an option play. The same option that we had all seen since high school. The same option that we also knew how to stop since high school. The one positive thing about that play was making adjustments to our defence as we were walking over for the point after, and I don't think they got a single rushing yard after that.

(Note: Evan Davis’ touchdown run 5:53 into the third quarter accounted for 55 of Concordia’s 76 rushing yards on the day)

What do you remember as the key play of the game?

I don’t think that I could narrow it down to just one play. The reason we were successful during my time with the Huskies was we played together as a team. That being said, there have been many nights of drinking since then, analyzing the game and its key aspects and I think we discovered that Regina products scored every single point in the game: Lynden, Kellett and myself. So I guess the key play was coach Brian Towriss recruiting in Regina. Your move, Saskatoon!

(Note: Matt Kellett, a third-year kicker, scored half of the Huskies points in the 1998 Vanier Cup on three field goals, two converts and a single. Todd Lynden, a fourth-year running back, caught a nine-yard touchdown pass with 1:56 left in the first half to give Saskatchewan a 10-3 lead at the break. Ludtke, playing in his final game as a Huskie, rounded out the scoring with his fumble recovery)

What was your personal greatest play or moment?

I have always really loved special teams. Defence is great because you get to run five yards and hit someone as hard as you can, but on special teams you get to run 40 yards and hit someone as hard as you can. That’s a lot of fun, so it’s not surprising that my personal favourite play was on special teams.

It was on punt cover in the second half, and Warren Muzika and I made it to the return guy first. We went around their blockers and Muzika hit the returner low and forced him towards where I was coming. I hit him so hard he made a sound that I can’t duplicate or write -- I guess it would sound like 'eehhhararrgge' -- and then he fumbled the ball. He didn’t want to get up and you could see that he didn’t want to play anymore. Those are the hits that you live for in football.

Did the coaches do anything different from normal routine in the preparation for the game?

No, they kept it pretty standard. They were emphasizing that it was just a normal work week: do the things that we always do and we will get the results that we expect.

How did you or the team react to the stadium and the crowd?

It was always great to run out of the tunnel and see the green in the stadium wherever we played. Huskie fans are great and it didn’t really seem to matter who we played in the Vanier Cup, it always felt like we were the home team with the fans in the stands.

What are your memories of the post-game celebrations on the field and/or in the dressing room?

I remember going around and hugging all the other fifth-year players. We had played together for a long time, been through a lot with each other, and we had all talked that the only way we wanted to finish our college careers together was to win the whole damn thing. That was the best part of the post-game, seeing those guys and knowing that we had pulled it off.

(Note: In addition to Ludtke, offensive lineman Scott Flory, defensive lineman James Repesse, receiver Jarret Rennie and linebackers Mike Stewart and Warren Muzika were in uniform for all three of the Huskies’ Vanier Cup appearances in 1994, 1996 and 1998)

What was the reaction on campus when the team returned?

It was crazy, the whole campus was buzzing with excitement and everyone seemed caught up in it. Even people that I didn’t think were into football or even knew I played were coming up and congratulating me and telling me how proud they were of the team.

At the time, how did winning the Vanier Cup change your everyday life?

The life of a student-athlete is pretty packed. There wasn’t much time to revel in the victory before we all had to get back into the routine of assignments, studying and writing finals. I would love to say it was non-stop celebrating, but reality set back in pretty quickly.

How often to you reminisce about your Vanier Cup wins?

Probably more than I should. I am still great friends with a lot of the guys that I played with and from time to time our talks will drift back to the football days. We will debate some of the plays, go through what-if scenarios and dust off the rings since there are very few events where you won’t look ridiculous wearing those things.

You won it all in 1996, and again in 1998. Was it just as sweet?

I am just as proud of what we accomplished in ‘96 as what we did in ‘98. Both teams were great and it was amazing that we could plug new players in as we lost starters and continue to come together and be successful as a unit.

What did winning the Ted Morris Memorial Trophy mean to you?

It was great to be recognized, but I know it was the effort of entire defence. Michael Milo and Brent Dancey were pressuring the quarterback all game, Kurtis Albers made them pay for every bad pass, Colin Dutton made sure the guys who did catch passes at least had to pay for it, and Muzika was hitting guys all over the place in his rover /defensive back / linebacker role. I was proud of the way we all played that day and was very grateful to receive the Ted Morris Trophy.

(Note: In addition to his game-winning touchdown, Ludtke had 6.5 tackles, including a team-high five solo efforts. Albers set a Vanier Cup record with three interceptions, while Muzika had three tackles for a loss)

What is your university degree and what is your current job?

I earned a B. Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2001. I am currently training to be a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force.

How did the Vanier Cup wins shape who you are and what you do in your career?

I believe everyone can benefit from playing team sports. It’s the first time in our lives where we have to come out of our self-centered bubble and work with others to achieve a common goal. The best teams communicate with each other, cover off each other’s weaknesses, trust their teammates to do their job and, ultimately, find a way to make it all work together. Those Huskie teams of the 90s were the embodiment of successful teamwork, and the skills I developed during my time with the program still come up on a daily basis in the RCAF: working with others, team building, communication and leadership are all skills that are highly valued in the Canadian military.