Outdoorsman starts journey as new intramural director

It was 5:30 a.m. A brisk winter chill whistled through the trees, and the sun had barely risen over the ice-capped mountains. Most people would be sleeping warm in their beds, but not Hunter Rud. Just like his dad 29 years earlier, Rud would conquer the Appalachian Trail. 

Rud walked nearly 25 miles from sun up to sun down. He rarely showered and ate ramen noodles every single day. 

“I was miserable,” Rud recalled. “But after the fact, I realized it was one of the greatest things I’ve ever done.” 

He seldom encountered people on the trail, but when he did, he was struck by their kindness. Out in the wilderness, hikers essentially lived off the grid. Other than what the weather might be that day, Rud said there were no worries. It was here among the panoramic vistas along the Eastern United States that he realized he didn’t need much in life to be happy. 

It was also there on the Appalachian Trail that Rud decided to take the path that would eventually lead him to the role of intramural director at Augustana University. 

Rud decided, after his strenuous, 94-day hike, that it was time to pursue his dream and go back to school for his master's in sports management at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

“When I don’t know what to do with my life, I just walk,” Rud said. It hasn’t let him down yet.

Rud was brought in by Augustana to help the intramural department grow. For him, this started by fostering healthy relationships with students and staff. Rud has always enjoyed working with students and hopes to assist them in any way possible.

Senior Cody Klungseth first met Rud during a student-led group interview with intramural supervisors and immediately felt that he would fit right in. 

“He’s just exceptionally kind and driven,” Klungseth said. “That stood out right away. He’s always looking for ways to help out, and he’s really leaped into taking charge of the intramural program. He said, right off the bat, that he’s here for us as students and wanted to take as much pressure off of us as possible, and he’s done exactly that.”

Rud took over following Mark Hecht’s retirement, the former intramural and recreational services director. He had some pretty big shoes to fill. 

Director of Recreational Services Logan Haak said that Rud has been a team player, one of the main reasons he was hired.

“Taking over the intramural program is a big responsibility in terms of participation,” Haak said. “There’s a lot of moving pieces.”

As the director of intramural sports, Rud creates and oversees the schedules for the various sports and events. He works with game officials and intramural supervisor to decide what teams will be playing against each other, who will be officiating the game and when the games will be played. 

While attending the University of Florida, Rud worked in the outdoor recreation and education department and fell in love with the job. The 10 months he worked there taught him that a positive attitude goes a long way. 

“You’re going to have good and bad days, but always trying to be there for somebody else is so important, especially in this position,” Rud said. “Listening to the people that work here, whether students or officials or supervisors, is so important.”

Julio Silvestre, a senior I.M. supervisor, said his first impression of Rud was amazing and that Rud’s leadership will increase the quality of intramural sports. 

“Hunter is a very easy guy to talk to. His personality is great for intramurals as he is young and passionate about the sports and outdoors overall,” Silvestre said. 

While Rud has only been working as the intramural director since September, Haak said the sports lover and outdoorsman has already made his mark on Augustana.