Randy Busscher '75
Football, track and field
Most of the Central football program’s receiving records were at one point in Busscher’s skilled hands. A four-time letterwinner, Busscher was a three-time first-team all-conference pick and received All-America honorable mention distinction. He was also a four-time letterwinner in men’s track and field and competed one season in men’s tennis.
Long-time Central fans still recall his last-minute theatrics against Ferris State (Mich.), Sept. 21, 1974. He set school records for most pass receptions (12) and most receiving yards (259) that night, records that still stand. Central took a 15-10 lead with less than 4 minutes remaining, but with just 23 seconds left, Ferris State scored what appeared to be a game-deciding touchdown. However, 15 seconds later, a 77-yard TD strike from Gary Cutler to Busscher gave the Dutch a memorable 22-17 triumph.
More records appeared imminent for Busscher but his season ended abruptly with an injury in the fifth game. He’d already caught 26 passes for 628 yards and eight touchdowns. But the Dutch were able to regroup after losing their offensive sparkplug and claimed the 1974 Division III championship.
Despite missing much of his senior campaign, Busscher still ranks first in school history with 27 career TD receptions, stands third in career receiving yards with 2,009 and eighth in receptions with 103.
In track and field, Busscher was a three-time conference placewinner in the 120-yard high hurdles and also competed in the triple jump and long jump.
After a tryout with the Minnesota Vikings, Busscher earned master’s and doctoral degrees at Western Michigan University. After several years as a teacher in Hart and Hamilton, Mich., he became a principal, initially in junior high and later in elementary school at Hamilton and then at West Ottawa Schools in Holland, Mich., before retiring.
2015 Athletics Hall of Honor inductees: Jason Christenson '91, Randy Busscher '75, Chris Hulleman '93, Abbie Brown Sogard '00.
