Calvin Edward Rucker

Cal was my track coach at SV in the late 60's and early 70's. I can still see him before every practice, pacing back and forth with his clipboard and short sleeve white shirt. Somehow, he could get me motivated every day.

About 45 years after that, I reached out and was able to meet him for lunch and dinner a couple of times. I called and talked with him while I walked for a few miles. We shared our thoughts on our faith and relationship with God. I did more listening which was as it should have been.

I'm thankful for the example he set with his discipline and motivation. I always left feeling great after talking to Cal. I KNOW he is with God now and he's happier than he's ever been!

My sincere condolences and my prayers go out to Coach's family. Many of us carried lifelong learning and principles from Coach beyond sports. My memories of Coach are of his discipline, consistency, drive, grit, passion, and winning mindset. He instilled in us to be great in something instead of average in several things. It was a privilege to have known him.

Pam, Ritchie, Rob...my heart breaks for you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I have heard so many wonderful stories about your Dad and Grandfather and wish I had known him.
I know each of will make him proud with all the many great qualities he passed to you.
May his love always warm your heart and fond memories make you smile.
All my love to you.

I had the honor and privilege to coach with Cal at Johnson City for many years and also with him with the BC Jets.
Cal was a true gentleman and a man of integrity-and one of the finest,most successful football coaches in the entire Southern Tier of NY.
He treated his coaches and players with respect and was an excellent mentor to us all.
He had complete mastery of all technical aspects of coaching football.
He developed discipline,effort,mental toughness and CLASS in all of his players.
After he retired,I was able to visit Cal every year on family trips North.

He was a great friend and he will be sorely missed.
Lynne Simmons

Coach Rucker was an incredible sports coach and life coach.
He took and molded me when I was a young man and through sports, he instilled hard work, ethics and never fail attitude. I remember calling coach up and telling him how I played basketball for approx. 45 years at many good levels and letting him know when I got my first head coaching job. He said to me, Rob, im proud of you and I want you to remember that your coaching young men and while you want to be tough and take it seriously, you need to remember, character first, respect second and sports last.
He made more of a difference in my life than he will ever know.
Miss you coach!

I didn't have Cal as a teacher in high school, but got to know him in recent years as a member of Landmark Church. He was a tremendous guy with very strong faith. We often had conversations about Politics and College Football. I will miss those. My deepest condolences to Shirley and the entire Rucker family.

Pam, Kevin and the Rucker family, my sincere condolences. I am one of the few that can say I played for coach at two different levels ! I had an awful lot of respect for coach ! May he rest in peace !

He was my history teacher, not my favorite class but the man really impressed me !

My condolences to the family. He was a phenomenal history teacher who influenced my interest in history. At our 30 year reunion I so enjoyed listening to the guys talk about his influences on them as their coach. Pam and Kevin- much love to you both and your families.

So sorry for your loss Pam your dad was so great in every thing he did prayers are going out to you and your family at this time

With great sadness I learned of Coach's passing. I want to send my deepest heartfelt sympathy to his family and the thousands of lives he touched through teaching and coaching. May he RIP.

So sorry for your loss.

You will always be remembered Wesley Allen