Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Embodying the Essence of Collegiate Athletics
2/10/2020 7:01:00 PM | Men's Basketball, Student Athlete, Features, Intellectual Development
By: Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Communications
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Everything about David Roelke's journey has been far from typical.
Â
But in the end, the Lehigh men's basketball senior embodies the pure essence of collegiate athletics.
Â
When thinking about David's story and the essence of collegiate athletics, let's first review the NCAA Core Purpose:
"Our purpose is to govern competition in a fair, safe, equitable and sportsmanlike manner, and to integrate intercollegiate athletics into higher education so that the educational experience of the student-athlete is paramount."
Â
For a long time, academics and athletics have been integrated for Roelke, a political science major. A true walk-on, David tried out for the men's basketball team before his junior year. Now as a senior, he is balancing the demands of being a Division I student-athlete with working a part-time job.
Â
And he's doing it quite well.
Â
Roelke's present-day situation as a Division I student-athlete wouldn't be possible if he never ended up at Lehigh in the first place.
Â
"At first, I didn't look at Lehigh, but later applied on a whim," he said. "The summer when I was about to graduate high school, I got a letter in the mail that I was off the wait list at Lehigh, but would have to wait a semester and come in the spring. I don't know if I wanted to wait.
Â
"I ended up visiting and liked it better than my other options, so I gave Lehigh a chance and came a semester late."
Â
As Roelke arrived to Lehigh, he began to miss something that had played such an important role in his life.
Â
Basketball.
Â
"I missed it a lot," he said. "For the longest time, I was planning on playing basketball in college, but my last couple years of high school didn't go as well. I missed a lot of time my senior year of high school due to injury. I had some Division III options, but I didn't like the schools."
Â
Roelke opted for a school that fit him academically, and that place was Lehigh.
Â
By simply being away from basketball, Roelke began to miss it more and more. As the famous saying reads, "absence makes the heart grow fonder."
Â
Roelke played pickup basketball and was a practice player for the Lehigh women's team his sophomore year, which further made him realize how much he missed the game. It led to him trying out, and being offered a spot, on the Lehigh men's basketball roster.
Â
"David demonstrated a strong passion and desire to be around the game by helping out with the women's program," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "As our roster developed and there was a need, I really identified with his maturity, the fact he was an experienced student and he valued academics. Those were all positive attributes, complementing a nice shooting touch and someone with a desire for the game."
Â
Since joining the team, Roelke has used his time in the program to grow – both on and off the court. The program has given him structure that's helped him thrive in everyday life.
Â
"Just being around the guys and having basketball as an outlet on a daily basis has been valuable," he said. "When I wasn't playing at Lehigh, I had class and that's it."
Â
Roelke has found a niche for the Mountain Hawks, yet it hasn't stopped him from exploring personal interests outside of the sport. Most notably, an internship this past summer led to a unique and valuable opportunity.
Â
"I am currently working part time for a company," he said.
Â
Roelke got started with the organization through former Lehigh women's basketball standout Quinci Mann, who referred him to former Lehigh football player Chris Ruhl who worked there.
Â
"My summer internship was in Brooklyn in the area of customer success," said Roelke. "I helped our customers, and we also ran events throughout the Northeast.
Â
Roelke loved the company for a number of reasons and wanted to continue working with them. He expressed continued interest, especially in sales, which led to a part-time opportunity during this, his senior year at Lehigh.
Â
"Sales was going to be the most realistic for me working part time and remotely," he said. "I work remotely 15 hours a week. As a senior, I have more flexibility with my class schedule so I have more time I can put towards it."
Â
Flash forward several months and Roelke has enjoyed a unique senior year, taking on a number of roles as a student, athlete, employee… and more.
Â
"In the fall, I didn't have class on Mondays and usually wouldn't have practice until around 4 p.m.," he said. "I'd work from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The rest of the week, I'd have a couple hours between class, 2-to-3 hour call blocks and try to work calls in anywhere they'd fit."
Â
It certainly has been a lot of work, but Roelke wouldn't want it any other way.
Â
"Everyone at the company played sports in college, which really drew me to them," he said. "Being able to do this while I'm also still a student-athlete and taking classes has been good life training."
Â
That life training has come in many forms. Last year, when Roelke had two hours between classes, he took a nap. In the same scenario this year, Roelke is working.
Â
"When I have time in my day, I have to be productive," he said.
Â
Being productive for Roelke means calling people, connecting to clients and potential clients. It's a skill that's translated to other areas of his life, including on the court.
Â
"When I came to Lehigh a semester late, I didn't really know any clubs, so I tried to figure out what to do and found Lehigh Liners (the call center on campus)," said David. "If you're an alumnus, they'll call you and ask how you're doing post-graduation. I picked up cold calling really quickly, which has greatly helped me talk to people."
Â
As Roelke continued, "The same is true with sales, learning how to talk and connect with people you don't know. In sales, you want to find out where you have a connection and go from there."
Â
What's one way David connects?
Â
By listening.
Â
"I figure out what points in the conversation I can pick up on and talk to them about," he said. "They might say something they don't even realize, but I pick it up and take the conversation there. It ends up being the reason I set up a meeting with them.
Â
"I believe this skill translates on the court with communicating as a team," Roelke continued. "This includes talking to our teammates and listening, trying to figure out where the real problem is and the possible solutions. I may talk to teammates about what's going wrong and I'm now better equipped to pick up on things and flush things out a little bit more."
Â
Roelke knows his role on the team and even though walk-ons typically doesn't see minutes come gameday, they want to do all they can to help the team succeed. Roelke is no exception.
Â
"Generally speaking, David's role is showing up every day at practice, supporting his teammates and giving his best effort without a lot of recognition," said Reed. "However, those positions are very rewarding and important for our program because when done properly, they become a foundation and bed rock of energy, positive emotion, passion and a deep desire and love for the game that's contagious and can help carry a lot of weight throughout the season. David has been able to demonstrate those qualities consistently."
Â
The love of the game of basketball, and the love for his teammates, keeps Roelke coming back.
Â
"Just being able to come in every day, touch a basketball and be at basketball practice keeps me going," said David. "When I was trying to figure out if I'd be able to find time to play again this year (amidst the part-time job), I remembered how much I'd miss it."
Â
Roelke is experiencing the best of many worlds. On one hand, he is part of a close brotherhood within the Lehigh men's basketball team. On the other, he is setting himself up for success post-graduation.
Â
"David has taken a proactive approach with his career in building connections and experiences, which are going to be very valuable for him," said Reed. "I believe that maturity helps some of the other players in our program look up to as a model, of somebody who has his stuff together and is attempting to maximize this experience in preparation for his future."
Â
Everything about David Roelke's past – specifically his journey to the Lehigh men's basketball team – was far from typical, but he represents the essence of what college athletics is all about.
Â
"I'm a very different person now than when I first got to Lehigh," he said. "My freshman year roommate tells me the same thing a lot. I've definitely branched out, talking to people I might not have talked to before and doing things I might not have done before.
Â
"I've definitely grown a lot as a person, thanks in large part to basketball."
Â
Â
Everything about David Roelke's journey has been far from typical.
Â
But in the end, the Lehigh men's basketball senior embodies the pure essence of collegiate athletics.
Â
When thinking about David's story and the essence of collegiate athletics, let's first review the NCAA Core Purpose:
"Our purpose is to govern competition in a fair, safe, equitable and sportsmanlike manner, and to integrate intercollegiate athletics into higher education so that the educational experience of the student-athlete is paramount."
Â
For a long time, academics and athletics have been integrated for Roelke, a political science major. A true walk-on, David tried out for the men's basketball team before his junior year. Now as a senior, he is balancing the demands of being a Division I student-athlete with working a part-time job.
Â
And he's doing it quite well.
Â
Roelke's present-day situation as a Division I student-athlete wouldn't be possible if he never ended up at Lehigh in the first place.
Â
"At first, I didn't look at Lehigh, but later applied on a whim," he said. "The summer when I was about to graduate high school, I got a letter in the mail that I was off the wait list at Lehigh, but would have to wait a semester and come in the spring. I don't know if I wanted to wait.
 "I ended up visiting and liked it better than my other options, so I gave Lehigh a chance and came a semester late."
Â
As Roelke arrived to Lehigh, he began to miss something that had played such an important role in his life.
Â
Basketball.
Â
"I missed it a lot," he said. "For the longest time, I was planning on playing basketball in college, but my last couple years of high school didn't go as well. I missed a lot of time my senior year of high school due to injury. I had some Division III options, but I didn't like the schools."
Â
Roelke opted for a school that fit him academically, and that place was Lehigh.
Â
By simply being away from basketball, Roelke began to miss it more and more. As the famous saying reads, "absence makes the heart grow fonder."
Â
Roelke played pickup basketball and was a practice player for the Lehigh women's team his sophomore year, which further made him realize how much he missed the game. It led to him trying out, and being offered a spot, on the Lehigh men's basketball roster.
Â
"David demonstrated a strong passion and desire to be around the game by helping out with the women's program," said Lehigh head coach Brett Reed. "As our roster developed and there was a need, I really identified with his maturity, the fact he was an experienced student and he valued academics. Those were all positive attributes, complementing a nice shooting touch and someone with a desire for the game."
Â
Since joining the team, Roelke has used his time in the program to grow – both on and off the court. The program has given him structure that's helped him thrive in everyday life.
Â
"Just being around the guys and having basketball as an outlet on a daily basis has been valuable," he said. "When I wasn't playing at Lehigh, I had class and that's it."
Â
Roelke has found a niche for the Mountain Hawks, yet it hasn't stopped him from exploring personal interests outside of the sport. Most notably, an internship this past summer led to a unique and valuable opportunity.
Â
"I am currently working part time for a company," he said.
Â
Roelke got started with the organization through former Lehigh women's basketball standout Quinci Mann, who referred him to former Lehigh football player Chris Ruhl who worked there.
Â
"My summer internship was in Brooklyn in the area of customer success," said Roelke. "I helped our customers, and we also ran events throughout the Northeast.
Â
Roelke loved the company for a number of reasons and wanted to continue working with them. He expressed continued interest, especially in sales, which led to a part-time opportunity during this, his senior year at Lehigh.
Â
"Sales was going to be the most realistic for me working part time and remotely," he said. "I work remotely 15 hours a week. As a senior, I have more flexibility with my class schedule so I have more time I can put towards it."
 Flash forward several months and Roelke has enjoyed a unique senior year, taking on a number of roles as a student, athlete, employee… and more.
Â
"In the fall, I didn't have class on Mondays and usually wouldn't have practice until around 4 p.m.," he said. "I'd work from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The rest of the week, I'd have a couple hours between class, 2-to-3 hour call blocks and try to work calls in anywhere they'd fit."
Â
It certainly has been a lot of work, but Roelke wouldn't want it any other way.
Â
"Everyone at the company played sports in college, which really drew me to them," he said. "Being able to do this while I'm also still a student-athlete and taking classes has been good life training."
Â
That life training has come in many forms. Last year, when Roelke had two hours between classes, he took a nap. In the same scenario this year, Roelke is working.
Â
"When I have time in my day, I have to be productive," he said.
Â
Being productive for Roelke means calling people, connecting to clients and potential clients. It's a skill that's translated to other areas of his life, including on the court.
Â
"When I came to Lehigh a semester late, I didn't really know any clubs, so I tried to figure out what to do and found Lehigh Liners (the call center on campus)," said David. "If you're an alumnus, they'll call you and ask how you're doing post-graduation. I picked up cold calling really quickly, which has greatly helped me talk to people."
Â
As Roelke continued, "The same is true with sales, learning how to talk and connect with people you don't know. In sales, you want to find out where you have a connection and go from there."
Â
What's one way David connects?
Â
By listening.
Â
"I figure out what points in the conversation I can pick up on and talk to them about," he said. "They might say something they don't even realize, but I pick it up and take the conversation there. It ends up being the reason I set up a meeting with them.
Â
"I believe this skill translates on the court with communicating as a team," Roelke continued. "This includes talking to our teammates and listening, trying to figure out where the real problem is and the possible solutions. I may talk to teammates about what's going wrong and I'm now better equipped to pick up on things and flush things out a little bit more."
Â
Roelke knows his role on the team and even though walk-ons typically doesn't see minutes come gameday, they want to do all they can to help the team succeed. Roelke is no exception.
 "Generally speaking, David's role is showing up every day at practice, supporting his teammates and giving his best effort without a lot of recognition," said Reed. "However, those positions are very rewarding and important for our program because when done properly, they become a foundation and bed rock of energy, positive emotion, passion and a deep desire and love for the game that's contagious and can help carry a lot of weight throughout the season. David has been able to demonstrate those qualities consistently."
Â
The love of the game of basketball, and the love for his teammates, keeps Roelke coming back.
Â
"Just being able to come in every day, touch a basketball and be at basketball practice keeps me going," said David. "When I was trying to figure out if I'd be able to find time to play again this year (amidst the part-time job), I remembered how much I'd miss it."
Â
Roelke is experiencing the best of many worlds. On one hand, he is part of a close brotherhood within the Lehigh men's basketball team. On the other, he is setting himself up for success post-graduation.
Â
"David has taken a proactive approach with his career in building connections and experiences, which are going to be very valuable for him," said Reed. "I believe that maturity helps some of the other players in our program look up to as a model, of somebody who has his stuff together and is attempting to maximize this experience in preparation for his future."
Â
Everything about David Roelke's past – specifically his journey to the Lehigh men's basketball team – was far from typical, but he represents the essence of what college athletics is all about.
Â
"I'm a very different person now than when I first got to Lehigh," he said. "My freshman year roommate tells me the same thing a lot. I've definitely branched out, talking to people I might not have talked to before and doing things I might not have done before.
Â
"I've definitely grown a lot as a person, thanks in large part to basketball."
Â
Players Mentioned
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