Spartan Profiles: Pete Hrisko
P.O.W. STORY
During World War II, soldiers who won battles became the military heroes worshipped by the media. Today, “heroism” seems to be bestowed more on survivors and POWs like Scott O’Grady and Jessica Lynch. Hence it’s a good time to resurrect the story of Ralph M. Rentz, an aspiring musician who was on a secret mission during World War II when his B-17 was shot down over Malang, Java. Rentz spent the next torturous three and a half years as a Japanese POW. He chose Los Angeles writer Peter Hrisko, ’87, to tell his tale, They Can’t Take That Away From Me (MSU Press 2003).
Recruited by George Perles to play football at MSU, Hrisko became the holder for extra points and backup punter for Greg Montgomery. After earning a master’s degree at Case Western Reserve, Pete played and coached the Oxford Bulldogs in England. “During this time,” he recalls, “I was technical advisor for a BBC film called Defrosting the Fridge starring Joe Don Baker.”
Pete has spent the last 13 years in Larchmont Village, near Hollywood, “working as a screenwriter and author and also teaching English as a second language.” He credits his late MSU professor Jim Cash, who with Jack Epps, Jr. formed one of Hollywood’s most successful screenwriting duos, for inspiring him. “I took two or three of his courses and regularly corresponded with him,” recalls Pete. “I’m quite proud (my first book) is with the MSU Press. Now I’m working on a children’s book.” He has good memories of his MSU days. “I returned to MSU last year and drove around campus on a rainy day,” he muses. “I wish I could’ve done it all over again as a student. Your time is so limited as a student-athlete.”
