Welcome to the newest RWU Athletics weekly feature, Alumni Profiles. Here we will be featuring a former Roger Williams student-athlete and catching up with them on their career since graduating from RWU.
 
Our latest entry comes from Andrew Wasik. Andrew was a four-year member of the Men's Basketball team and graduated from RWU in 2017 as a Mechanical Engineering Major.
  What is your current job title and what does that entail?
I am a Business Process Improvement Analyst for Medtronic. As a Business Process Improvement Analyst, I develop and implement tools and methodologies to drive Medtronic process excellence. I work with cross-functional teams to turn data into business decisions. I am also part of a team focused on growing the inclusion/diversity within Medtronic through tested and proven solutions to culture challenges.
 
How did your athletic involvement at RWU help you in the path that you chose following graduation?
Athletics is all about discipline, teamwork, and continuous improvement. These aspects correlate directly into the corporate world. Whether it is learning new skills, collaborating with cross-functional groups, or even striving to be the best you can be at work every day, it all stems from my time at RWU. If there is one thing I learned from my time playing basketball, you don't have to be the biggest guy in the gym to make an impact. When working, hard work sometimes pays off more than being the smartest person in the room.
 
What is your most fond memory of RWU Athletics?
When you make the commitment to be an RWU student athlete, you become part of a family that is bigger than sports. My most fond RWU Athletics memory was after I graduated, when Austin Coene scored his 2,000th point. The Men's Basketball alumni were in Bristol for the game, and I remember the passion and love in the stands. When Austin scored his 2,000th point, he had his current and former teammates there for him. He had his family with him on the most impressive athletic accomplishment.
 
What would you say were your greatest athletic and academic accomplishments during your time at RWU?
My greatest athletic accomplishment was leading beside Jake LePrevost and Josh Syska as captain my senior year. At RWU, we helped implement a culture of living above the line—embracing 100% responsibility. Scoring a game-winner against Endicott in my senior year was also pretty nice.
Academically, my most proud accomplishment was graduating as a Mechanical Engineer. My degree from Roger has given me the opportunities in my career to succeed.
 
Why did you choose to attend RWU?
In my junior year of high school, my dad and I took a college road trip across the East Coast. I visited many schools, but the feeling I got when stepping foot in Bristol stood out. I hate being cliché, but it felt like home especially when I met with Dean Potter. The way he spoke about the school and staff made me feel like I was already part of a family. After the first five minutes of meeting with him, I knew I wanted to be part of his program. There is 100% a Roger difference.
 
Were you involved in any extracurricular activities outside of athletics?
I was part of the Hawk Leadership Academy, Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and the Athletic Director Student Athlete Committee my senior year.
 
What piece of advice would you have for current RWU student-athletes?
Dive for the 50/50 ball. On and off the court it shows effort, hard work and dedication. Making this a habit will lead to success in athletics, in education, and in your career. If you dive for the 50/50 ball every day as an RWU student athlete, you will have the GRIT needed to stand out in your next chapter.

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Are you a former RWU student-athlete interested in being part of our Alumni Profile series? If so, please contact Athletic Communication Director at nwilliams@rwu.edu for more information!