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ODU starting quarterback Blake LaRussa to forego senior season

Posted at 1:10 PM, Dec 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-26 15:46:22-05

NORFOLK, Va. (ODUSports.com) – Old Dominion University football quarterback Blake LaRussa will forego his senior season to attend Seminary School, LaRussa announced on Wednesday.

Blake LaRussa.

LaRussa will graduate in May and plans to attend Seminary School to earn a Master’s of Divinity and become a Christian Minister.

LaRussa completed 249-of-393 passes for 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, throwing for 3,015-yards.

He passed for 495-yards and four touchdowns in the win over No. 13 Virginia Tech, and was named National Player of the Week by multiple media outlets, as well as Conference USA Player of the Week. He was named C-USA honorable mention by the league’s coaches.

“Everyone associated with our program is very proud of Blake and the decision he has made for his future,” Monarchs head coach Bobby Wilder said in a statement. “From the moment he walked on campus he represented our program “aim high” philosophy. He will always be a great representative of Old Dominion University and a future leader of our country.”

LaRussa, walked-on to the team after graduating from Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School in Virginia Beach, and earned a scholarship in 2016.

“It has been an incredible journey with Old Dominion football, but I would like to announce that I will be moving on from football after I graduate this spring and will be going into full-time ministry,” LaRussa said in a statement.

“This fall (2019) I will be going to seminary school to start my Master’s of divinity. I am so grateful for all my coaches and teammates who I have grown so close with these past four years. I want to thank all of them for all that they have done for me as well as all the support they have shown me in making this life decision. I’ve made memories with this team and these coaches that I will never forget the rest of my life. I am confident entering this next chapter of my life and excited to pursue what I have always known to be my heart’s greatest desire, and that is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and help people find hope.”