Members
Inductee
RAFFIN, RICH
RAFFIN, RICH
Born on
Chicago, Illinois
Inducted On
May 1, 2022
Location Inducted
Merrillville, Indiana
Region Number
1
Chesterton High School
Player
Chesterton High School
1979
Rich played both tight end and defensive back in his junior year. As a senior, he switched to flanker and defensive end. Rich returned 9 kicks, averaging 29 yards and broke the CHS record for the longest kickoff return with a 98-yard TD return. He also averaged 19 yards per punt return. He finished his senior season as the Trojans' second leading tackler, second leading rusher, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and the leading receiver averaging 21.6 yards per reception.
Northwestern University
Playing strong safety his freshman year, he worked his way up to a starting spot by his 5th game. Unfortunately, his season was cut short due to a knee-injury. Rich moved to tight end his sophomore year and saw action. His junior year saw a coaching change and another position change to inside linebacker. As a starter, he led his team in tackles and was selected team captain and the team MVP. As a senior, he would end up with another knee injury which would sideline him for the rest of his season. He was awarded NU's Citizenship Award for Athletic and Academic Leadership and the Outstanding Civil Engineering Student.
He was the leading scorer in the Duneland Athletic Conference and was selected as offensive MVP of the DAC and UPI All-State. He played in the IFCA North/South All-Star game and received the Mental Attitude Award for the North team.
Rich is married to fellow NU graduate, Cecile, and they have 13 children and 9 grandchildren.
