SPOTLIGHT: Darius Nowotny, Whatcom, Soccer, Freshman

Darius is a student-athlete representative on the NWAC Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee.

Q. 1 - Why did you choose your current college?

I chose Whatcom Community College (WCC) after a few inspiring conversations with my coach, Jason Jorgensen, and the Athletic Director, Rob Pedicone. I first connected with them during a showcase in Germany. The sheer commitment of having two representatives at the event was impressive, as WCC was the only school with more than one person present. Our discussions further convinced me that WCC was the right choice. The college has good facilities, and I was promised outstanding opportunities and conditions for training. Additionally, the beauty of Bellingham and Washington state made the decision even easier. It's a wonderful place to live, making my choice a no-brainer.

Q. 2 - When did you start playing this sport and how has your experience been getting to play at this level?

I first started playing in Berlin when I was four years old. Last summer, I achieved my greatest career milestone by becoming the Champion of Berlin. I had the best season of my life, playing alongside the greatest teammates against formidable competition. Coming off that high, I was surprised and even shocked when I arrived here and discovered the actual level of competition in the NWAC North region. The level was even higher than what I was used to during my career highlight. Despite the challenge, it has been an amazing experience playing against so many talented players.

Q. 3 - What is your favorite part about playing at this level?

The fact that there is always somebody that is better than yourself, somebody that is going to push you to your limits and push you to become a better player and a better version of yourself.

Q. 4 - Do you consider yourself a leader? If so, describe that about yourself either on or off the team.

I consider myself a leader on and off the pitch, when I engage in an activity I like to do it with a 110% and that comes with me being passionate about success and perfection and I like to get everybody on board to be as passionate and motivated to get to the common goal that we are seeking. So I would say the way I like being a leader is a mix between leading by example and also being vocal and giving positive instructions, * Positive is important. I also like to hear my teammates out when they have an issue, I like to solve the problems the player may have with the coach and am all for engaging in confrontation in order to get everybody on the same page.

Q. 5 - Who is your greatest influence?

The combination of both my parents is the perfect influence for me. The mix between the calm, composed, and reasonable advice from my mom to be the best and healthiest version of myself, alongside the ambitious, fun, and sometimes borderline dangerous advice from my dad, has helped me find a great balance. My dad often tells me to push through challenges, citing the strengths and skills I carry from my native ancestors, which gives me the confidence to leave my comfort zone and do the right thing in the right situation.

Q. 6 - What advice do you have for incoming student-athletes?

Come in to make a difference, be a Gamechanger. Just as importantly don't forget to have fun and have a healthy sport-life balance.

Q. 7 - What is one challenge or obstacle that you have had to overcome in order to get where you are today?

Leave all my friends and family behind even though I was in a perfectly comfortable position in life. I figured to advance in life I had to leave my comfort zone. Greatest decision of my life.

Q. 8 - What are your plans after you graduate? 

From Communtiy College, attend a 4 year school. After graduating from a 4 year university I plan on starting my own business back home in Germany, idealy with my brother.

Q. 9 - What is something you enjoy doing outside of your athletic pursuits?

I love travelling, whether it is by myself with friends or with family, but my favorite trips would probably be ski holidays.

Q. 10 - Name one fun fact about yourself.

I speak 4 languages. French, German, English & whenever I visit a spanish country, they understand me!

Specific to being on the DEI Committee:

• In your role as a student-athlete leader, how do you promote diversity, equity, and inclusion both on and off the field? 
  • Just like in any other situation in life, I plan to lead by example. I will stand up against racism, sexism, homophobia, and any other form of discrimination. Eventually, I hope to work closely with our athletic department to promote workshops that educate people on these issues.
• Can you share an example of how your team or the committee has taken steps to foster a more inclusive environment? What was the outcome?
  • We have players from all over the world, and this year, our first team squad represented around 15 different mother tongues. After every game and practice, we have a special ritual. We stretch and count down the time in each of the mother languages our players speak, and everyone joins in. We do this to ensure everyone feels included, to give a sense of home, and to share a good laugh about the variety of languages.
• What are some challenges you believe student-athletes face when it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how do you think these challenges can be addressed?
  • Student-athletes from diverse backgrounds may experience discrimination or feel marginalized due to racial or cultural differences. I think just like a lot of issues in sports or any terrain, communication and confrontation is the right way to approach those issues in order to prevent them from happening again.
• How do you envision your role on the student-athlete committee contributing to creating a more inclusive and equitable environment for all student-athletes?
  • Listening and Representing Diverse Voices: I will actively listen to the needs and concerns of all athletes, ensuring their voices are heard and represented in committee decisions. This includes organizing regular feedback sessions and open forums to understand the unique experiences of athletes from diverse backgrounds.

Learn more about the NWAC Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee at: https://nwacsports.com/Diversity_Equity_and_Inclusion.

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