After dropping out of high school as a senior, Spruce Luster had wasted a year just running about the area and doing many things he shouldn't. Finally, he realized he was on a road to nowhere and should change his course. Burr Luster was against his son’s return to school, telling the boy that there was no need to further his education—college lectures did not help with making a living on a farm. Defiantly, Spruce decided to return to school the very next day. Spruce wanted a college education, but he knew there was no money to finance it. He became so determined to attend a university that he decided to try for a sports scholarship. The boy returned to school with only one year to prove that he was good player—good enough for the college scouts to notice him.