June 23, 2008

Former Illini offensive lineman Rick Schulte will be remembered fondly by family, friends and the Illinois Football program. Schulte passed away on June 14 at the age of 45 after suffering an apparent heart attack. He started 26 games at left guard for Illinois from 1982-84, lettered from 1981-84 and started three games for the Buffalo Bills in 1987.

Schulte was a co-captain of the 1984 Illinois squad and was named to multiple preseason All-Big Ten teams prior to the 1984 season. He won the Bruce Capel Award in 1984, which is given to the Illini player who displays the most courage, dedication and accomplishment throughout the season. In addition, Schulte was regarded as the strongest athlete in Illinois history at the time, having bench-pressed 400 pounds, squatted 630 pounds and power-cleaned 310 pounds.

Schulte’s visitation was held June 20 at the Tempe (Ariz.) Mortuary and the funeral was on June 21 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Tempe, Ariz. A full obituary for Schulte can be found here