The game against Lindenwood University-Belleville was a very special night for Pirate men’s basketball player Zach Rutland. The senior guard scored his 1,000th career point and led his team to a big victory.

Playing his third season at Park University, Rutland is Park’s top scorer and has the most assists this season. The point guard, who achieved this incredible accomplishment, is now part of a select group of players who scored 1,000 or more points during their time at Park.

“It was a special moment. I have been working all my life for moments like this and being able to do this with the teammates that I have this year is just more special,” Rutland said.

For Jason Kline, Park’s men’s basketball coach, Rutland is a true leader. He said that the point guard is a big reason why the team is in a good position in the standings right now. Also, Kline said that Rutland was very important to the team when he played the National Tournament with the Pirates.

“I’m not only proud of him in the basketball court, but in the classroom as well,” Kline said.

With five more games until the rest of the regular season, the Pirates are practicing hard and looking forward to the conference playoffs. For Rutland, the team can finish the season in a strong manner and reach a high spot in the conference standings.

“We will keep working hard. When we get to the conference finals, we will try to win that,” Rutland said.

Rutland received a basketball as an award for his 1,000 career points in the game against Columbia College.