Senior football player Dan Romano has run full speed during his time as a Hope College student-athlete. Whether on the field, in the classroom or at a service opportunity, he’s been determined to make the most of every minute.
The running back is one of 156 semifinalists for the National Football Foundation’s Campbell Trophy, which recognizes a college football student-athlete for his academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. Last fall, Romano was named a College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-American in football.
Romano (Royal Oak, Michigan / Shrine Catholic HS) also makes time to serve as one of two Hope College representatives on the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council along with swimmer Macey Mayer.
Romano recently shared about how his life has been transformed at Hope College with Sports Information Director Alan Babbitt.
What are your major(s) and minors(s)? What do you plan to do after you graduate?
I am a biomedical-mechanical engineering major with a minor in mathematics. I plan to take a long Europe trip with my girlfriend after graduation before going into the workforce in the late summer next year.
How has your sport helped shape you as a person and a student-athlete?
Sports have played a huge role in my life, teaching me valuable life lessons that I will never forget. Football has allowed me to become a better friend, team player, leader, and example for others. Not only has it forced me to have good time management skills in helping me with school but it has also given me so many opportunities to serve and help people in a variety of ways.
You also are one of Hope College’s two representatives for the MIAA’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) this school year. What are you aiming to bring to that role as well as learn from it?
The MIAA SAAC gets a voice in the rewriting of the division 3 NCAA constitution as well as give an opportunity for the MIAA schools to learn about different service activities, athletic involvement, and SAAC events that the other conference schools participate in. I am aiming to be a good voice and representative for Hope College Athletics. I am hoping to learn new and exciting ways of how athletes can be more involved throughout campus and take part in new service opportunities.
This year’s Hope Athletics theme is Strong and True. What does that mean to you as a student-athlete?
Being Strong and True reminds me of God telling Joshua to “be strong and steadfast”. Be humble, honest, and dedicated through any adversity that may come your way because God is on your side.
What extracurricular activity at Hope, outside of Hope Athletics, has been beneficial and memorable for you?
Although this is still technically within Hope Athletics, helping run the football Bible study has been super beneficial and memorable to me. I help run it with Zac Carlson and it’s a great opportunity for a group of guys to get together and talk about real topics in the world that matter and revolve around scripture. We have deep and meaningful conversations that help us become better Christian dudes throughout Hope and society as a whole.