Michigan State University Athletics
Connor Kruse: Building a Foundation
11/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Tyler Beck, Michigan State Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Connor Kruse cautiously approached head coach Mark Dantonio's office, nervous of what was in store for him.
"I actually thought I was in trouble," the fifth-year senior offensive lineman said. "I thought he was mad, but he told me he was putting me on scholarship. He told me it was a one-year scholarship, and I'd have to re-earn it the next year. I was lucky enough to do that."
Having already graduated with a degree in economics, and currently pursuing a graduate degree in kinesiology, Kruse is no stranger to hard work. The former walk-on has learned the roles of all five positions of the offensive line, and played each one last year.
"I think being a walk-on, and wanting to play so badly, you have to strive to play a little bit more," Kruse said. "So, I watched film a little bit more. I'd learn defenses a so I'd know what to."
There's another key ingredient to Kruse's success, and it's something Spartan fans have heard many times before.
"More than anything, it's not football; it's just great relationships I've built up," Kruse said. "It's all just camaraderie and building a foundation, a foundation for being a part of something bigger than yourself."
After finally earning a starting spot this fall at right guard, Kruse nearly had his career cut short after suffering an injury during the second preseason scrimmage.
"That one was the worst because I thought my career was over when I had worked that hard to get there," Kruse said. "Luckily it wasn't as bad as we thought, and I was able to come back. The injuries definitely made me have to work a whole lot harder."
It wasn't the first time Kruse has been injured as a Spartan; one put a damper on his freshman year in 2010.
"Everybody faces adversity," Kruse said. "I faced it early in my career here, tearing my ACL and MCL my freshman year. Regardless of what happened to me, I still wanted to start. So I figured I needed to work a lot harder."
 | "When Coach D called me into his office and put me on scholarship, that's probably my happiest memory here at Michigan State." |
He did earn that first start this season, a 45-31 victory at Purdue. Kruse even had the opportunity to speak in front of the team on the Friday night before the game, and was named a fourth captain.
"Being able to get up and speak in front of the whole team, and being honored as a captain was just awesome; I'm getting goose bumps just thinking about it," said Kruse, who has started the last five games for the Spartans on the offensive line. "I think I got them going, and we started off the game well."
Kruse has earned everything he's been given on the football field. A two-time all-state selection, he helped Lowell to a Division 2 state championship as a senior in 2009. Despite his accolades, he wasn't the most highly recruited player.
"I was recruited by a lot of Division II schools, and Central Michigan and Western Michigan, but Michigan State always talked to me," Kruse said. "But I knew from my first visit to Michigan State that I wanted to go here. Regardless of which schools offered me a scholarship or how much money they offered me, I wanted to walk-on at Michigan State and try my luck here."
It was a little difficult at first, Kruse admits, adjusting as a walk-on. However, any awkwardness he felt was short-lived once everyone was on the field.
"When I first got here, I felt like I wasn't the same as everybody else," Kruse said. "Everyone else was on scholarship, and the coaches cared about me the same, but in your mind, you know, you don't think of it that way. Luckily that changes fast, because you become friends with everybody right away, and this is a great place to make friends."
Kruse remembers the day he earned his scholarship fondly. Coming off his red-shirt freshman season, the then-sophomore was elated.
"When Coach D called me into his office and put me on scholarship, that's probably my happiest memory here at Michigan State," Kruse said. "Coach Dantonio said, `you know, you've been working really hard. You're not where we want you yet, but we have a scholarship available so we'd like to give it to you. Keep working the way you're working. You'll have to earn it next year too, but if you keep working the way you're working you should do that no problem.'
"My heart just started rambling, pounding, so I got out of there and called my mom right away. I couldn't understand her because she started crying, so I said `okay I'll talk to you later mom.' She was just so happy that I got on scholarship. That is my best memory here at Michigan State; it was awesome."
Being around the program for five years, Kruse has seen changes. Specifically, he's noticed a change in the relationships between the older and younger players.
"I'm a lot closer with the freshmen now, than the seniors were with me," Kruse said. "We've taken them under our wing, making sure everyone is growing, because they're the future here. We want to sustain this level of excellence, both on the field and off the field. I want them to keep what the last teams have built going. "
A lover of all sports, Kruse plans to become an athletic director, but isn't sure at what level yet. To him, it's all about what you can bring with you beyond the gridiron.
"I'm a big believer in not limiting yourself to one sport," said Kruse, a former state runner-up in wrestling his senior year of high school. "I'll play tennis, or golf. I may not be very good, but I'll definitely go play."
It's something Kruse will take with him, wherever he ends up.
"I want to be a leader by making sure they are going to classes and going to tutor, and helping them in the film room and on the field," Kruse said. "You just want these kids to grow and get better through their sport and in life. Being able to just influence those kids' lives in every sport would be amazing for me."
This feature was originally published in the Oct. 25 edition of Michigan State Gameday Magazine. Kruse will be one of 20 seniors recognized in a pregame ceremony Saturday at Spartan Stadium on Senior Day.
