Student-Athlete Spotlight: Jonathan Rodrigues

Sport: Baseball
Year: Senior (C'17)
Position: Third Base
Hometown/High School: Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe Township
Major: Economics
Minor: Computer Science
 
Why did you choose Drew University?
I chose Drew University for its academics, close location to home, baseball coaching staff and its small class size. A liberal arts degree allows me to be well-rounded and the people here are welcoming and kind. It was an easy choice for me. 

Why did you choose your major and what has been your favorite course?
I chose economics as my major because I have always been good with numbers and a career in finance in something I am very interested in. My favorite course has been Corporate Finance, which I believe to be very applicable to jobs I may seek in the future. 

What is your most memorable moment as a Ranger?
So far, the most memorable moment I have had as a Ranger is making the playoffs this past year. Succeeding as a team in a must-win situation and celebrating on the field afterwards was a tremendous feeling that is second to none. 

How has being an athlete helped you as a student and in the classroom?
Being an athlete has allowed me to develop time management skills. With all the school work expected to be done and the time committed to the team, time management is very important in order to succeed on both fronts. 

What is the most difficult part of your sport?
The hardest part about baseball is that a player fails more than he succeeds. This is mainly true at the plate where three hits in 10 at bats is considered exceptional. This can be frustrating for many players, which is why in order to play baseball we have to be strong mentally. 

Why do you wear your jersey number?
The reason I wear 32 is because it is the number I was given my freshman year of high school and I wanted to keep it consistent throughout my career. 

What advice do you have for a prospective Drew University student-athlete?
The biggest piece of advice I can give an incoming student-athlete is to pay attention to all the small things and remember to always have fun. As a senior, I realize just how fast my time here has gone and I wish I could go back to take a second to truly appreciate certain moments. Years from now when my days of playing baseball are behind me, I'm not going to remember the bad game I had in April. The things I'm going to remember are good memories shared with teammates at school, on the bus, in the locker room, and in the dugout. 

Why is community service important to your role as a student-athlete at Drew?
I believe that student-athletes at Drew, including myself, are expected to be active leaders on campus. This means we should be setting positive examples for others to follow and community service is one such example. Being a part of Drew Unified Sports and the Conversation Partners program has helped me grow as a person and I hope has encouraged others to get involved with something meaningful to them as well. 

Name one obstacle or form of adversity you have had to overcome...
One form of adversity I have had to overcome is injury and the fear of letting teammates down. For the first time in my career I had an injury that kept me from playing a few games. However, I made sure to go to the trainer's room and get back to the field as quickly as possible. Even though the injury lingered on for the season, I wanted to leave everything I had out on the field for those who counted on me. 

Rapid Fire:
Color? Blue
Food? Sushi
Restaurant? Outback Steakhouse 
Movie? Anything with Will Smith
TV Show? Family Guy
Musical Artist? J. Cole
Athlete? Derek Jeter
Pro Team? Yankees
Hobbies? Golfing, Fishing, Movies
Biggest Fear? Snakes
Most Prized Possession? Gold chain and cross