Men's Basketball | 12/6/2024 9:57:28 AM
David Rosa is currently in his senior season as a member of the Houghton University men's basketball team. He serves as President of Houghton University's Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC). Rosa has a career average of 9.1 points per game shooting 44.5 percent from the floor. He also averages 5.2 rebounds per game with 100 total steals. In 2022-23. Rosa averaged a career-high 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds per game and over three assists per game.
A native of Canovanas, Puerto Rico, Rosa, in addition to being SAAC President at Houghton, he has numerous academic awards being named to the NABC Honors Court as well as making the Dean's List. In addition, he has been named Empire 8 Rookie of the Week and Player of the Week throughout his career as a Highlander.
David Rosa - Empire 8 Emerging Leader
Institution: Houghton University
Sport: Men's Basketball
SAAC Role: President
Major: Business Administration & Sports Management
GPA: 3.5
Community Service Projects:
Alongside two college students at their respective universities in Puerto Rico we founded a basketball club called Leyendas. This club was created to allow athletes to further their skills and develop them to their peak athletic performance.
Who is a Leader Who Has Made an Impact on You and Why?
Matthew Webb our Athletic Director has made an impact on me regarding his leadership style. I believe his leadership is driven by his passion for what he does, and his drive to seek improvement in every aspect of his responsibilities. Since I was a freshman, I have witnessed his approach, interacting with student-athletes, to know them better and make them feel welcomed and impactful. Another aspect of Coach Webb that has impacted me is how he manages our organizational culture by reinforcing our university values in everything we do as student-athletes. I have learned and believe that as a leader, we must learn about each member of our organization, in our case, beyond a jersey number, and establish a clear organizational culture, among other areas, to be successful in what we do.
What Type of Leader Are You?
I believe that I am developing as a coaching leader. I believe in recognizing the strengths and areas of improvement of our team members to help them improve and collaborate. I would describe myself as an organized, composed, intentional, selfless and disciplined leader who finds every way possible to push their people to their maximum potential. What is important to me is that I can be seen as someone my team can count on, someone who will listen and give them constructive feedback that will help them be successful. I am also the type of leader who is passionate and committed to the success of my team. I can encourage the people around me and get them to see our vision.
What Makes a Great Leader?
A great leader has a clear vision for his people to drive them to a common goal. A great leader will communicate clearly the vision by exhibiting courgae, emotional intelligence, gratitude and respect for those who the leader responds to. I believe thag a great leader has the ability to build relationships that creates trust and ends with respect. This type of leadership creates success.
What Is a Leader's Best Asset?
A leader's best asset is the TRUST of his group of people.
What Makes Leadership Difficult?
The type of responsibility, pressure to achieve goals and vision make leadership challenging. Balancing all of your people's needs, personalities, talens and interests can be a complex task. I prefer to describe this as a challenge more than a difficulty because a challenge will always test the leader's determination.
What Does Leadership Look Like in a Team Setting?
Leadership in a team setting involves guiding and motivating a group of people toward a shared goal. All with open communcation, a collaborative environment, delegating tasks effectively, managing talents and resolving talents, all while maintaining a clear vision and direction for the team.
Interesting or Exciting Internships You Have Done or Are Currently Working On:
I coached in Florida and taught the fundamentals of the game of basketball to athletes from five years old to seniors in high school.
I addition, I am currently working with and receivng mentorship from our Athletic Director Matthew Webb in the Houghton University Athletics Department
What Do You Aspire to See Yourself Doing in 10-15 Years?
I aspire to be able to use my academic knowledge in Business Administration and Sports Management to impact the lives of young athletes in every aspect of their lives as student-athletes; impacting sports programs at different academic levels and outside the academic environment as well.
What Are You Most Looking Forward To This Season, Both Athletically and in SAAC?
For this season, I am looking forward to creating memories, enjoying my time with my fellow teammates and making the most out of my senior year on and off the court. I am looking forward to learning and contributing as part of the SAAC organization and meeting SAAC members from the rest of the schools in the Empire 8.
Favorite Athletic Memory from Your Time at Houghton:
My favorite athletic memory in college has to be having my family in the stands waving the Puerto Rican flag. Another memory is beating No. 13 ranked Case Western Reserve and dumping a water jug on our head coach.
Favorite thing about the Empire 8:
The respect that every team has for each other, the sportsmanship they portray and how proud students are to represent their institutions. The Empire 8 organization is filled with people who want to see people success.
How Has Playing in the Empire 8 Prepared You for Life After College?
Playing in the Empire 8 has shown me the many elements that entitle me to play at a college level, to respect my opponents, to study them and to learn from them to be successful. This includes working with them. As part of SAAC, this plays a big role i working alongside the same people that I play against.
Advice to Incoming Student-Athletes or Younger Teammates?
Study your leaders and learn from them.
E8 Dozen
1. Favorite Professional Athlete: James Harden
2. Favorite Professional Team: Philadelphia 76ers
3. Favorite Movie: Good Will Hunting
4. Last TV Show You Binge Watched: Suits/Yellowstone
5. Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Salted Caramel Cheesecake
6. Last Vacation You Went On: Puerto Rico (home)
7. Dream Vacation Spot: Greece
8. Favorite Singer/Artist: Benito Martinez
9. If You Could Have Any Super Power, What Would It Be?: Super speed
10. Fun-Fact About You: My best friend and I created a basketball club back in Puerto Rico called "Levenas." In English "Legends"
11. Favorite Animal: Koala
12. Dream Job: University Athletic Director/Entrepreneur
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.
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