Some call him “Mr. Senator.” Sam Rolle, a fifth-year senior from Riviera Beach, Florida, has made his mark on the basketball court as well as within the Davis & Elkins community. Head men’s basketball coach Daniel Harris said, “His dedication to excellence has made him a great representative of what it means to be a student-athlete at D&E.” 

In 2020, Sam was recruited by coaches Dan Mondragon and Dan Harris. This past weekend, as the Senators’ journey in the Mountain East Conference Tournament concluded, Sam’s D&E basketball career came to an official end. His career statistics are stellar, including 2,116 points scored. A future induction into the D&E Athletic Hall of Fame seems certain.

Basketball is strong in the Mountain East Conference and D&E has struggled to get wins for many years. Sam, a true competitor and leader, answered his coach’s challenge to rewrite that narrative. He committed to the daily grind, determined to earn D&E the respect it deserved. That relentless effort, shared by coaches and players alike, ignited a historic breakout season in 2022-23. Nineteen wins, a feat unseen since the 1950s, solidified their place. Fittingly, the Conference Tournament Heart and Hustle Award that year went to Sam.

A quiet person by nature, Sam recalls his freshman year: “I said the bare minimum when I needed to speak.” Over his D&E years, his leadership blossomed, his voice finding strength both on and off the court. Now, he mentors younger players, passing on the lessons learned. Not surprisingly, as Sam looks ahead, he envisions a future in coaching as well as secondary education administration, eager to continue shaping and inspiring the next generation.

Sam’s success on the court, combined with his down-to-earth personality, have turned him into a role model for many children in Elkins. A heartwarming scene unfolded before a recent game at the McDonnell Center as Sam presented his autographed game shoes to Grayson, a young fan. Grayson, who rarely misses a game when Sam is on the court, idolizes number 4. Sam’s impact goes beyond the sidelines. He and a few teammates recently attended Grayson’s youth league game, cheering Grayson and his team on from the stands.

As his graduation approaches, Sam is grateful for all that have nurtured and influenced him. Dr. Jennifer Riggleman has been influential in his academic studies which he describes as “…an eye-opening and amazing journey.” Among the staff, he is particularly grateful to Student Life’s Lisa Senic who “…has been like a mom figure and my biggest fan.” Substantial gratitude is reserved for his coaches and teammates. Sam says of his coaches, “They held me to a high standard as a player and as a person. They called me out when I needed to be called out. They cared about me as a player, and they cared about making me a better man.” Finally, he thanks his parents who sacrificed and made possible his growth as a student and as an athlete.

On May 10, I will present Sam his diploma, grateful for the role D&E played in his journey and anticipating a bright future for the young man often called “Mr. Senator.”

The journey continues…