Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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IT STARTS WITH YOU THE PATH TO SUCCESS Academics Preparation Competition Service Graduation Lifelong Success ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ bachelor's degree in African American studies let him know that he can do anything he puts his mind to. It's a cliché, but at the beginning of his career, it seemed like an unconquerable mountain he was staring at — and a secondary one to football. Now he understands the balance needed and wants to help others reach new heights. To do so, he stresses the same messages to the student- athletes he currently coaches that helped him a few years ago. He hopes they take the advice to heart, especially since it is coming from some- body with first-hand, and recent, experience. "I always try to make it known that if you need help with something, just let somebody know," Romero said. "UVa has the proper re- sources with the McCue Center and John Paul Jones Arena; you can always talk to your profes- sors and advisors. Whatever you need to get it done is right there in front of you. "Sometimes guys that are so used to having success in everything come across little obstacles. They're trying so hard and stressing themselves out when they can go to someone for help and get a better understanding of what they're being asked to do." Virginia athletics' new initiative "All In For Excellence" is a challenge to donors, but Romero applies it to all teams and student-ath- letes on Grounds — on and off the playing field. "It speaks to everyone that is involved with athletics," he said. "We have to be all in to what we are selling as a department. If everybody is all in, we'll all have success like the soccer teams, the baseball and tennis teams, the bas- ketball team and all of the different teams that are doing well. "If we all buy in and support these groups, we will have excellence on and off the field. It will show on the field, on the court, on the grass, in the swimming pool and in the classroom. "If you expect excellence, you'll get excel- lence." Once Romero learned that lesson, success — on the gridiron and in the classroom — was ex- actly what the star student-athlete from Hamp- ton found in Charlottesville. — Ryan Tice Former UVa linebacker and current graduate assistant Daquan Romero earned his bach- elor's degree in African American studies, and he is currently pursuing a master's degree in athletic administration.