Aris Wurtz '12 is one of the most decorated players in the history of the Ripon College Men's Basketball team. One of just four players in program history to score more than 500 points in more than one season, Wurtz accomplished that feat twice, while being named both All-Region and First Team All-Conference three times during his career and earning All-American accolades as a senior.

"Playing basketball at Ripon meant a lot to me because I learned valuable life lessons on the court such as handling adversity, being resilient, the value of practice and preparation, and the importance of teamwork," Wurtz said. "The educational experience at Ripon College provided an opportunity to work on character-building and improve upon myself."

With his full first name being 'Aristotle,' Wurtz was destined to excel at academics just as much as athletics, which is precisely what he did while playing for the Red Hawks. The only two-time Academic All-American in program history, Wurtz was selected as the Division-III Academic Player of the Year as a senior in 2012, marking the only time a Ripon College student-athlete has received that honor in any sport. That same year, Wurtz became the first and only player in program history to earn the prestigious Jostens Trophy, given annually to the Division-III basketball player who most exemplifies athletic ability, academic prowess, and community service by following the motto, 'Service above self.' A triple major in Economics, Business Management and Philosophy, Wurtz finished his college career with a perfect cumulative Grade Point Average of 4.0.

"Aris is the best student that I ever coached and it came naturally to him. I can't ever say that I saw him studying on our road trips to games," legendary Ripon basketball coach Bob Gillespie said. "It was a very proud moment for me when I was able to accompany and present Aris at the 2012 Jostens Award Ceremony at the Division-III Final Four in Salem, Virginia."

That capped a senior year that saw Wurtz average 25 points per game, which was second-best in the Midwest Conference and sixth in all of Division-III, while also ranking in the top 10 in the MWC in rebounding (6.6 rpg), field goal percentage (.509), free throw percentage (.833), and 3-point percentage (.430). It was one singular moment from that season however that stands out to Wurtz, as he approaches one decade since he last laced up his sneakers for the Red Hawks.

"I remember making a 35-foot shot at the buzzer against Beloit at home to give us the victory," Wurtz said. "The crowd stormed the court and it was a great bonding moment with my teammates and Coach Gillespie, who celebrated at mid-court along with the fans and myself."

Wurtz credits that moment, along with several others, for bringing him and Coach Gillespie closer together.

"Coach Gillespie was not only a coach, but he was also a friend to me and remains so," Wurtz said. "He gave me guidance on not only basketball, but life in general and he stressed the importance of academics AND basketball, which helped me succeed in both areas." 

Another memory from his time as a student-athlete highlights just how special a small, liberal arts school like Ripon can be, while showing that it truly does 'take a village.'

"Each year during winter break, our team had the opportunity to visit and have dinner at the houses of members of the Ripon community where we would play various games and eat delicious food," Wurtz recalled. "Not only were we able to bond as a team, but we were also able to develop lasting relationships with members of the community."

Wurtz ranked third in school history at the time of his graduation in both points (1,821) and rebounds (578), which currently ranks fourth and fifth, respectively. He shot 85 percent from the free throw line during his career, which was a school record at the time of his graduation, and still ranks third. Wurtz also is sixth in school history for 3-pointers made, converting 144 shots from beyond the arc, while his career scoring average of 19.8 points per game is tied for fourth.

Upon graduation, Wurtz received the opportunity of a lifetime when he was granted a tryout with the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks in the Fall of 2012.

"I had the chance to play with and against some Bucks players," Wurtz recalled. "Unfortunately, I didn't make the team, but I had a great time at their practice facility and enjoyed my time there."

Wurtz, who currently resides in Fond du Lac, Wis. was destined to be a basketball star long before he stepped foot on Ripon's campus. His father Lucky recently retired as a high school basketball coach where he had success at Kimberly, Waupun, and Laconia, leading the latter to the WIAA State Tournament in 2002. Aris' sister Ana played at Division-II Winona State, where she is currently the team's Associate Head Coach, while his other sister Frankie played at Division-I UW-Green Bay and currently plays for the Wisconsin Glo, which is based in Oshkosh. Aris' brother Dylan is also involved in the family's passion, as the former UW-Oshkosh player was recently named Head Coach of Menasha High School's boys basketball team.

It doesn't end there. Aris' uncle Lud also played for Ripon College, where he held the school's single season scoring record for nearly 40 years, while his cousin Taylor played for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, scoring the 16th-most points in program history as a three-year team captain for the Badgers. His other cousin Trenton played for Division-I Indiana State before playing professionally overseas just as Frankie and Taylor have done.


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