Career
He served as the head football coach at North Park University from 1967 to 1968. Rathje played college football at the University of Dubuque as a fullback. He earned all-conference honors while with the program
While at Dubuque he also participated on the schools wrestling team and on the track & field squad in the shot put and discus throw.
The University honored him by placing him in their "Athletic Hall of Fame" in 1989. Rathje was the head football coach at the North Park University in Chicago, Illinois.
He held that position for the 1967 and 1968 seasons. His coaching record at North Park was 9–9.
As of the conclusion of the 2012 season, this ranks him fourth at North Park in total wins and second at the school in winning percentage (500).
While at North Park, he coached his team to a 100+ point game, defeating North Central College by a score of 104–32 on October 12, 1968. Rathje died of cancer in 2011 at Lincolnshire, Illinois.
