Sherman Gymnasium | Illinois College Athletics
Sherman Gymnasium | Illinois College Athletics
Buzz Ritzel, a senior at Illinois College, has made significant strides both on the basketball court and in his academic pursuits. Known as a dynamic scoring guard, Ritzel is averaging 18.6 points per game and playing 36.5 minutes each contest. He recently surpassed the 1,000-point career mark and is recognized as a two-time first-team All-Midwest Conference selection.
Reflecting on the current season, Ritzel described it as having "lots of highs and lows," but expressed optimism about the team's trajectory: "We've lost some games that we have given up, but I think we are on the rise."
Off the court, Ritzel balances his athletic commitments with a challenging major in nursing. His academic journey has included performing various medical procedures and even assisting in delivering a baby last semester.
Despite his busy schedule, Ritzel finds time to enjoy activities outside of basketball. He shared anecdotes from his past about sleepwalking: "I used to have a problem with sleepwalking... My parents told me they woke up to me sitting on top of the wall like a gargoyle."
Looking ahead, Ritzel has aspirations such as skydiving or traveling to Bora Bora after concluding his college basketball career. Reflecting on his time at Illinois College, he said: "It is so special to represent IC because of the sense of community around Illinois College and the success we have had in the last couple of years makes it much more special."
In addition to sharing insights into his life and ambitions, Ritzel answered several questions about his preferences and experiences at Illinois College:
- Favorite restaurant in Jacksonville: Burger Board
- Favorite place to study on campus: Library
- Description of IC community: "The IC community maintains a supportive environment and sense of belonging under any circumstances."
- Involvement in clubs or activities: Not currently involved
- Building relationships with professors: "It is exceptionally easy... because of the professor and student ratio and their willingness to help their students through anything."
Thomas Menke contributed this article. He is also a senior at Illinois College majoring in Sports Management and Communication.
Alerts Sign-up