Rod J. Anderson, born May 5, 1959, is a SHS graduate of the Class of 1977. Rod received a total of 12 varsity letters while at Sterling High School - four in track, three in football, three in baseball, and two in basketball. All-Conference in track, Rod broke many school and meet records throughout his high school career. With a time of 0:43.3 in the 440 relay, Rod set a new NCIC and school record. Running the mile relay with a time of 3:22.9 and the 880 relay with a time of 1:31.1, Rod set two additional school records his senior year. Rod broke a total of 12 meet records while at Sterling High School. Rushing for over 1,500 yards as a sophomore football player, Rod held the school record for the number of rushing yards as only a sophomore. He had 160 rushes and averaged 8.9 yards per carry. The following year he had a total of 94 rushes in the season. During his senior year, Rod had 11 touchdowns, 1,133 rushing yards, and scored a total of 81 points. His SHS football career record was 32 touchdowns, 211 points, 421 rushes, 2,862 rushing yards, 6.7 yards per carry, and 42.85% pass completion. He was named All-Conference all three years on the varsity team, along with obtaining the Most Valuable Player Award and Taualli Award his senior year. In addition, Rod was ranked among the top 100 football players in the nation his senior year. All-Conference in baseball, Rod led the way in the pitching department with a record of 5-2 and an E.R.A. of 1.65 his senior year. He also obtained the Most Valuable Player Award during his junior year.As a member of the basketball team, Rod scored a total of 96 field goals and 46 free throws, for a total of 246 points in 24 games. Upon graduation, he continued his education at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill. While there, Rod was a member of the football team. All-Conference First Team his junior and senior year, he was also Mid-Continent Conference First Team his senior year. In addition, he was conference Player of the Week five different times.Receiving his collegiate degree in 1981, he was employed by Sterling Steel Warehouse as an operations manager. He and his wife, Nancy, have two children and live in Sterling. He continues to referee for high school and college basketball and football games.