ORONO - The University of Maine and it's athletic department announced Rudy Ruettiger will speak on at 7 p.m. on September 19 at Alfond Arena.

Ruettiger and his struggles to realize his dream of playing football at the University of Notre Dame, provided an inspiration for the 1993 hit movie "Rudy." Admission to the event is free.

Since the release of his movie, Ruettiger has travelled the country for the last 13 years speaking to corporations, universities, high schools, and sports teams, and telling his story of having a dream and how rewarding it is to accomplish it after preserving through struggles and obstacles.