JERRY RULLO

NOTRE DAME LINEBACKER JERRY RULLO NAMED GO BOWLING MILITARY BOWL

STEM SCHOLAR-ATHLETE PRESENTED BY FOGNIGMA

University of Notre Dame linebacker Jerry Rullo, a senior majoring in neuroscience and behavior, has been named a Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete presented by Fognigma.

Rullo, who is from Havertown, Pennsylvania, has a 3.97 grade-point average. He plans to attend medical school and then serve in the U.S. Army. He has taken part in several experiences to learn more about the medical field and is a member of Notre Dame’s ROTC program.

Rullo wants to become a doctor because he feels it is a meaningful cause to devote himself, using the greatest application of knowledge and effort to be with people in their most vulnerable, painful or life-threatening moments.

He has volunteered in hospitals, including in the emergency room. He assisted doctors, nurses and emergency room staff, completing tasks from stocking supplies and responding to call lights, to helping facilitate trauma care and lending a hand during emergencies. He also has volunteered by spending time with patients such as those in hospice or those that require around-the-clock care, ensuring they have a helping hand when they need it.

With a lab on campus, Jerry has conducted research on prostate cancer and the different methods to treat it over the past year. He also engaged with PhD mentors and others on the subject. He also worked with a professor on analysis that focuses on patient responses to treatment for chronic pain.

Through his involvement with the United States Army, Jerry spent seven weeks in Tanzania and Kenya studying Swahili, regional politics and cultural competency. He helped construct a sand dam for clean water access and observed health disparities in the area.

“Jerry was one of the most insightful and engaging students I had the pleasure of teaching in the Neurobiology of Pain course to date,” said Diane Lane, PhD, assistant teaching professor of neuroscience at Notre Dame. “He consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the course materials and critically evaluated the information being presented. His willingness to engage in thoughtful discourse was greatly appreciated and advanced the ideas and information that was conveyed to the class.  But more than just information, Jerry always included the human aspect to the class topics and made a profound impact relating the information to the bigger picture. It was amazing to witness and I know the ability to tie ideas together will make him excel in the medical profession in the future.”

The Go Bowling Military Bowl is proud to recognize the members of the fifth annual Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete Program presented by Fognigma, honoring some of the brightest minds competing on the football field in the ACC and the American Conference.

“We are excited to once again present the Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete Program and celebrate the successes of these student-athletes on the field and in the classroom,” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “Along with our partners at Fognigma, we congratulate these young men for their achievements and look forward to their continued success.”

The Go Bowling Military Bowl STEM Scholar-Athlete Program presented by Fognigma honors one football

player at each university that is a member of the ACC and the American Conference – the two conferences that are represented in the Go Bowling Military Bowl college football game. These players are studying STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) subjects and/or aspire to STEM careers.

The two players whose teams compete in the 2025 Go Bowling Military Bowl will be recognized at the game, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 27 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. Kickoff is at 11 a.m. ET and the game will be televised on ESPN. Bowl tickets are on sale now. A donation will be made by Fognigma in the name of these two players to their respective school’s general scholarship fund.