Holy crap, this guy has had so much influence on me throughout these boards. Practically every part of the boards that I spend a lot of time on, Rush Clasic influenced it somehow.
Way back in 2007 (I guess it wasn't that long ago), I joined the boards and started posting in YMtC, mostly. I joined in on Q is 564453's contest YMtC'ing With the Stars, where veteran YMtC card designers are paired up with the newb card designers. Can you guess who I got partnered with? Stumped? I was partnered with Rush Clasic. We got fourth place there. That began my association with him.
Over time, I became more interested in becoming a better magic player. I read countless articles on strategies and deck archetypes to learn. By summer of 2008, I developed a profound interest in drafting. So, I headed off to a draft at a nearby city, got last place, and became very sad face. I started visiting the limited forums and in early fall, downloaded AIM. BelangiaJo randomly IMed me and I associated with him, and eventually Rush Clasic IMed me too. From there began a long chain of drafting on ccgdecks. I did countless drafts on there with Rush Clasic and/or BelangiaJo. Even look at my profile on there: 95% of those were probably with one of those two. I got so much better at drafting that way. I posted in the limited forums more and more and eventually, Rush Clasic mentioned letting me take up his sticky in the forum. And so I became a scribe.
Also, not too long after I starting becoming obsessed with drafting, I started going to FNM with my friends and became more interested in the Standard section of the boards. I would post a deck once in a while, comment on another person's from time to time, and talk in Standard General. I wasn't really a key player there, though. Throughout the months, I'd playtest standard decks with Rush Clasic once in a while. Eventually, Atmapalazzo gave up his position as VCL of the Deck Critique section of the boards. So me, wanting to become more engrossed in the boards, applied for the position, not being too hopeful. Then zammm gave me the news that I got the job along with two others. Later on, I looked through the boards that non-VCLs can't see (we're special like that, ya know) and I say the thread that listed all of the potential candidated. Rush Clasic had a long post which essentially amounted to vouching for me to be VCL.
Oh, and recently he also helped me make an EDH deck on Magic Online after I made an account. Sweet.
So, that's it. Rush Clasic influenced be in becoming a better YMtCer, a better drafter, a scribe, a better magic player, and a freaking VCL. I don't know what my position on the boards would be like without him. I'd probably be posting newbish card designs in the dark corner of YMtC.
Oh wait, I'm not done after all. I made this post because Rush Clasic is going away for a while in terms of internet activity. So, Rush Clasic, if you ever read this, just know...you darned well better be on AIM so I can draft with you, bother you with card designs, and playtest with you. If I'm still on the boards in five years and you aren't, I'll be that cranky old poster who's like, "Back in my day, we had Gleemax! And Rush Clasic was my mentor! Wait, what do you mean you don't know who Rush Clasic is? Ignorant young whippersnappers!"
Don't stay away for too long, man.
