University Chronicle

Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jake Fandel Sophmore wide reciever Rocky Horn stretches out before football practice. Horn was recently appointed to the NCAA Leadership Conference.

Thirty minutes prior to game time, some players would look for a trainer to wrap their ankle, some would listen to music and others would look for a fight.

But behind the mask of Rocky Horn is none other than an original starting wide receiver, looking for a phone to call his grandparents.

As a ritual, the night before games, Horn and his roommates usually go out for dinner at the Olive Garden for the never-ending pasta bowl, and on the night of games, he is usually found calling his grandparents and praying. The pads, mask and cleats only hide this down-to-Earth sophomore's fast paced life.

Not only did this wide receiver walk on as a freshman from Melrose, Minn., he also has a very active life outside of football.

Horn makes sure to keep his day busy, having morning classes starting at 9 a.m., studying in between classes, practice from 2-5 p.m. every day and his day ending at 9 p.m. It is hard to believe an athlete with this kind of schedule is always a week ahead in his studies.

Throughout the homework, practice and working on a major in social work, adding additional activities to his plate seems overwhelming.

"I like staying involved in the public," Horn said.

Last year, he worked in the library, and has also been chairman of the Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC), and the Community Services Committee, which organizes social events such as athlete nights, Bowl-A-Thons and Kids Against Hunger Campaigns. He also stays active in the Boys and Girls Club.

Horn's heart in these activities has guided him into the NCAA Leadership Conference. He will be representing the nation along with 20 other committee members.

"With Rocky's strong worth ethic, it is no surprise to me that he is representing our school," said Steve Crutchley, SCSU's life skills coordinator.

At these conferences, Rocky will attend three to four meetings a year, usually in Indianapolis, where he will look over the common wealth of athletes











athletes and issues that need to be focused on.

"This program has helped me to broaden my horizons," Horn said.

Continued...

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