Wake Forest Athletics
Photo by: Brian Westerholt/Sports On Film
Rula Family Shares Final Four Bond
12/12/2019 3:21:00 PM | Men's Soccer, Les Johns
Wake Forest sophomore Holland Rula and his father, David, have now both reached a final four in their athletic careers.
Holland Rula found his father David and gave him a big hug following the Wake Forest soccer 1-0 victory over UC Santa Barbara last week.
"I finally know how you feel," Holland told his crying father.
The victory sent the Wake Forest sophomore midfielder and the Deacs on to the College Cup — the Final Four of collegiate soccer.
David, as a sophomore guard at Mississippi State, made it to the college basketball Final Four in 1996.
"The older you get, the more you appreciate it," David said. "It's surreal. You work so hard and then go on a run. You get to the Sweet 16 and anything can happen. It's amazing."
Both Rulas made the Sweet 16 as a freshman at their respective schools, then advanced on to Final Fours in their second season. Wake Forest is set to face Virginia in the national semifinals at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.
"I have the utmost confidence in him. I told him I hope he gets bragging rights in the family," David said. "He's been on the big stage before. I want him to be loose and enjoy the moment. We were tight, having not been there before. That's one of the reasons he went to Wake Forest — to achieve this."
David, who lives in Birmingham, Alabama, hasn't been at home for a weekend since soccer season began in August — splitting time between watching Holland play for Wake Forest and his other son Larson, who plays for IMG Academy in Florida.
"I wouldn't want it any other way," David said about the travels.
David's Mississippi State team upset No. 1 Kentucky in the SEC Tournament Championship game, then went on a run all the way to the national semifinals. That was just the second loss of the season by the eventual national champions for a team that had eight NBA players on the roster.
The Bulldogs defeated No. 3 UConn and No. 7 Cincinnati along the way, before falling to No. 15 Syracuse in a semifinal match up in New Jersey.
"There's no experience like the Final Four," David said. "When you go back for reunions, you're part of such a historical team. It makes those times that much more special. I'm happy he will be able to have those memories. Those teams are super close, when you achieve this kind of stuff. There's a special bond you have."
That Final Four experience has been shared with Holland often while he was growing up.
"He always showed me his ring, and was a big discussion when we talked about sports," Holland said. "It's a big thing. Growing up, I always wanted to get to this level.
"Being where we are right now is one of the reasons I came to Wake."
David figures he's likely to be more tense Friday when the Deacs take the pitch against Virginia than he was for himself against Syracuse back in 1996.
"It's different seeing it from a parent's perspective," he said. "I'm probably more nervous. I know he's ready."
Coming out of IMG Academy, Holland picked the Deacs over schools like North Carolina, Louisville, SMU and Ohio State.
"Holland had tunnel vision for Wake Forest," David said. "We were fortunate he got a spot there."
Two years in, David is impressed with what coach Bobby Muuss has working in Winston-Salem.
"I feel like Bobby has really not left any stone unturned in so many areas," David said. "His ability to manage these players is impressive. When I think he doesn't see something, it turns out he does see it. Winning becomes contagious.
"His secret sauce is his ability to create a family environment with the parents, the Congregation and the team. They're all connected. That's what separates Wake Forest soccer."
"I finally know how you feel," Holland told his crying father.
The victory sent the Wake Forest sophomore midfielder and the Deacs on to the College Cup — the Final Four of collegiate soccer.
David, as a sophomore guard at Mississippi State, made it to the college basketball Final Four in 1996.
"The older you get, the more you appreciate it," David said. "It's surreal. You work so hard and then go on a run. You get to the Sweet 16 and anything can happen. It's amazing."
Both Rulas made the Sweet 16 as a freshman at their respective schools, then advanced on to Final Fours in their second season. Wake Forest is set to face Virginia in the national semifinals at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.
"I have the utmost confidence in him. I told him I hope he gets bragging rights in the family," David said. "He's been on the big stage before. I want him to be loose and enjoy the moment. We were tight, having not been there before. That's one of the reasons he went to Wake Forest — to achieve this."
David, who lives in Birmingham, Alabama, hasn't been at home for a weekend since soccer season began in August — splitting time between watching Holland play for Wake Forest and his other son Larson, who plays for IMG Academy in Florida.
"I wouldn't want it any other way," David said about the travels.
David's Mississippi State team upset No. 1 Kentucky in the SEC Tournament Championship game, then went on a run all the way to the national semifinals. That was just the second loss of the season by the eventual national champions for a team that had eight NBA players on the roster.
The Bulldogs defeated No. 3 UConn and No. 7 Cincinnati along the way, before falling to No. 15 Syracuse in a semifinal match up in New Jersey.
"There's no experience like the Final Four," David said. "When you go back for reunions, you're part of such a historical team. It makes those times that much more special. I'm happy he will be able to have those memories. Those teams are super close, when you achieve this kind of stuff. There's a special bond you have."
That Final Four experience has been shared with Holland often while he was growing up.
"He always showed me his ring, and was a big discussion when we talked about sports," Holland said. "It's a big thing. Growing up, I always wanted to get to this level.
"Being where we are right now is one of the reasons I came to Wake."
David figures he's likely to be more tense Friday when the Deacs take the pitch against Virginia than he was for himself against Syracuse back in 1996.
"It's different seeing it from a parent's perspective," he said. "I'm probably more nervous. I know he's ready."
Coming out of IMG Academy, Holland picked the Deacs over schools like North Carolina, Louisville, SMU and Ohio State.
"Holland had tunnel vision for Wake Forest," David said. "We were fortunate he got a spot there."
Two years in, David is impressed with what coach Bobby Muuss has working in Winston-Salem.
"I feel like Bobby has really not left any stone unturned in so many areas," David said. "His ability to manage these players is impressive. When I think he doesn't see something, it turns out he does see it. Winning becomes contagious.
"His secret sauce is his ability to create a family environment with the parents, the Congregation and the team. They're all connected. That's what separates Wake Forest soccer."
Players Mentioned
Defender/Midfielder
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