 Robert Romero prepares to take a shot as a guard for Lechugueros De Leon, a professional basketball team near Mexico City, Mexico. |
by Carol Duerksen
Can a Hesston College student-athlete go on to play professional basketball? Yes. Are his basketball skills the most outstanding memory from his coach? No. And are his basketball games the highlight of his time at Hesston? No again.
Former Larks men’s basketball coach Luke Hartman remembers how Robert Romero ended up at Hesston College.
“Terrance Micheaux found Robert Romero when holding a Mid America Youth Basketball (MAYB) tournament in San Marcos, Texas,” he remembered. “He called me and said, ‘Luke, I found a kid you have got to call.’ Terrance thought this left hander would be an asset to the Hesston College community.
“I thoroughly enjoyed working with and being in relationship with Robert over the course of two basketball seasons. One of the most meaningful stories about Robert was when we played down in Dallas, Texas. A great number of relatives came to the game and made the difference in a win over our competitor, Dallas Christian.
“After the game, the entire group of relatives—probably at least 30 in number—came to the Golden Corral Restaurant where we were eating supper. When it was time to leave, the team was in the vans and assistant coach Dallas Stutzman said, ‘Coach, where is Robert?’ I realized that he wasn’t in the van. I turned to look back toward the restaurant and this group of 30 was in the parking lot, huddled up, and at the center of the group was Robert. The family was all laying hands on him and praying for him as a send-off back to college. For me, it was an excellent reminder of what we can learn from a more community-oriented culture, which stands in contrast to our North American individualistic culture. It left a powerful visual imprint in my memory.”
Robert has his own vivid memories of Hesston College, including hanging out in the Larks Nest with teammates and listening to “whatever Coach Hartman is saying and also his stories!”
But it wasn’t just Coach Hartman who was influencing Robert’s life. “I can say Hesston College helped me a lot because everybody was friendly and down-to-earth,” he recalled. “I did enjoy going to chapel every Monday and Wednesday—the singing and also hearing Mr. (Tony) Brown sing. Until this day, I am closer to God from having that great experience of those two years at Hesston College.”
After graduating from Hesston in 2003, Robert attended and played basketball at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. During his junior year (2003-04), the Lobos basketball team advanced to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Division III national tournament, before losing their next contest in overtime.
He is now playing professional basketball in Leon, Mexico (near the capital city of Mexico City) for Lechugueros De Leon (The Lettuce Pickers of Leon). Recently, the 6’5” 239-pound guard was asked to play for the Mexican national team.
“I’m living my dreams,” he says. “Someday I will become a coach and teach my skills to my players—not only to become a ballplayer, but to be successful in life and to always have God on your side.”
—Carol Duerksen is a freelance writer from Goessel, Kan. She is a 1974 graduate of Hesston College and former alumni association president.