Karina Rodriguez
Sports Editor
On Nov. 1 the La Verne Leopards lost to the Redlands Bulldogs, but junior wide receiver Jimmy Rumsey found himself with a personal victory. He broke two records during the game against the Bulldogs.
Rumsey broke La Verne’s all-time receptions records with 146 receptions and the all-time receiving yards record with 2,095 yards.
Rumsey credits his quarterbacks and coaches for helping him achieve these two personal records.
“I would say, really my quarterback, put the ball in the right spots for me to go and catch it,” Rumsey said. “My coaches definitely helped me and trusted me, knowing they can trust me and I can make the play.”
Rumsey highlighted how everyone on the team contributed to his success.
“All pieces come together perfectly with how my team plays,” Rumsey said. “How my other receivers run their routes to distract the other players for me to get open and the o-line protecting me.”
Head football coach Richard Sanchez believes that Rumsey is a leader as he notices the dynamic he has with other players.
“The guys look up to him and when he speaks, people listen,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez also acknowledges that Rumsey supported the changes Sanchez brought when he took on the head coaching position at La Verne.
“He really bought into the differences in the change, how to behave, how to react, how to give effort every single day and the preparation matters,” Sanchez said.“It’s a huge accomplishment and I’m very proud of that.”
Rumsey has been playing football for 16 years, ever since the age of four he has been involved in the sport.
He previously played for the Corona Dolphins flag football team as a kid. He also played with the Corona Panthers with his cousins and the Corona Panthers was Rumsey’s first tackle football team.
In high school he played for the Santiago High School Sharks football team for four years before deciding to make the University of La Verne his home.
Not only did he play football but he also played baseball during his childhood with the Corona Chargers little league team.
Rumsey credits his biggest inspiration, his dad and he also has fond memories of watching football with his dad.
“He’s always been there with me,” Rumsey said. “He’s always been in my ear about what to do and I think he is the reason why I don’t ever fumble.”
He shared that football has been a part of his life before he ever stepped on the field.
“When I was two years old I would sit up in my little chair and watch football when it came on and I was always watching football,” Rumsey said.
Rumsey also said his faith is what kept him strong in the sport of football.
“Everytime I have a problem with something, I can talk to God and he’ll open up the light for me,” Rumsey said.
Freshman offensive line player Jordan Garcia said Rumsey made him feel welcomed.
“When I came to lift during the summer, he immediately made me feel like I was a part of the team for years,” Garcia said. “Jimmy is a really run person to be around and is very welcoming to everyone.”
Senior tight end Julian Martinez, who has played all four years with the Leopards, has great respect for Rumsey.
“What I admire and respect the most about Jimmy is his ability to be a leader without saying a word,” Martinez said. “Guys look up to him.”
Martinez considers Rumsey to have both a serious hardworking attitude but also a fun attitude.
“He puts his head down and works hard when he needs to but also has a fun side to be around,” Martinez said. “Jimmy has high morals and expects more from himself than most people do and that’s what I respect about him.”
When Rumsey is not on the field he likes to play piano, basketball and talk to his little sister about flag football as she has now picked up the sport.
Karina Rodriguez can be reached at karina.rodriguez3@laverne.edu.
Karina Rodriguez is a senior journalism major with a concentration in broadcast journalism, and editor-in-chief of the Campus Times. She has previously served as sports editor, social media editor, arts editor and a staff writer.
Bajot Rathor is a senior organizational management major with a concentration in leadership and management, along with minors in photography and American law. She is a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine.
