Editor’s note: Nate Rohnert is a junior forward for the men’s basketball team and leads the team this season in scoring, minutes, rebounds, assists and steals. Rohnert is from Parker, Colo., and went to Chaparral High School.
Laura Hathaway: Did you ever think that one day you would be playing Division I college basketball?
Nate Rohnert: I mean growing up it has always been a goal of mine to play Division I basketball. I always thought if I kept working hard that it would definitely be an opportunity to me. I am living the dream because I’m having a great time playing it, the coaches are great and my teammates are great.
LH: How do you find the motivation to spend so much time playing basketball?
NR: It’s tough. We spend a lot of time on the court and in the training room, but I always just want to be a better player, and I love this game. I’m constantly trying to get better and get this team better because I’m excited where this team could end up.
LH: What are your personal goals in terms of basketball on this team?
NR: My personal goal is just to lead this team and try and make it the best team. Again, we have a lot of young good guys and I’m just trying to bring them along and show them what Denver basketball is about and that we can be pretty good.
LH: Would you like to continue playing basketball after you graduate?
NR: It would be nice. I love this game, so as long as I can keep playing it is going to be great. If that’s overseas or wherever, I’m going to take it as far as I can because I love this game.
LH: How does it feel to finally be a competitor in the Sun Belt Conference in the final stretch of the season?
NR: As we get down to the final stretch of the season it is going to be exciting to see how much better we can get and see if we can maybe make a run at this thing. I’m excited to see how our team responds towards the end of the year. I feel good about our chances.
LH: How did it feel to be named Sun Belt Conference player of the week?
NR: I mean it was exciting. It is a great honor to be SBC player of the week. I was more excited because we beat a team that made it to the Sweet 16 Tournament last year, so that was huge for us.
LH: Do you think you have a chance to make the All-Conference team?
NR: Truthfully, I’m not really worried about it. I’m just worried about trying to get this team better and trying to get more wins under our belt.
LH: How can the players help revamp the basketball program and get fans in the stands?
NR: The number one thing is if we keep winning and showing our hard work, the fans will come. We have had a couple of tough seasons in the past, my freshman year, and as you can see what coach Scott is doing with this program. We are starting to get more excitement in this program and are seeing more people come. Even this year, it is constantly getting bigger and bigger. I think in the future if we keep winning the fans will come.
