Meet Dante Nicholas, a senior from St. Croix of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Mr. Nicholas is majoring in mathematics and is a member of the men’s soccer team at La Roche University.
How has playing soccer and participating in student clubs/organizations shaped your college experience?
Throughout my time at La Roche, I’ve been a part of the men’s soccer team, the Marketing Club, Black Student Achievement and the Student Government Association. I also am an intern for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Being a part of these clubs and organizations has shaped me into a more forward-driven person. These experiences allow me to adapt to different groups and options, and give me the opportunity to build a network.
You recently had an amazing opportunity to play soccer for the U.S. Virgin Islands national team. Describe this experience and how La Roche prepared you for it.
It was phenomenal. Being able to represent your country for your sport is one of the greatest achievements that an athlete can have, especially at a young age. The style of play was more technical and tactical than physical, and I had a lot of time to adapt because I had three months to prepare.
La Roche helped me, especially in the summer because I had access to all of the athletic facilities on campus, along with the teammates who helped me train. Also, having my coaches trust me enough to start or even play in games helped me build the confidence and experience I needed for international play.
Why did you choose La Roche?
I chose to come to La Roche because it was a small campus in a good location. Campus is an eight-minute drive to Ross Park Mall, 15 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh and a five-minute walk to UPMC Passavant. La Roche also gave me the chance to continue playing soccer, which was a must for me when choosing a school.
What advice do you have for students?
Work hard in silence, and let your success make the noise—in all aspects of life, whether it means going the extra mile on a research paper, or going to the gym or field.