Third years the charm; Roff enters third season after medical redshirt
April 21, 2008

T.J. Ridge
Crusader staff

The Seward County Saints baseball team has a member that has a lot of experience to share with the rest of the team.
Austin Roff has been at Seward County and has been on the team for three years. Roff dislocated his right shoulder on one of the first practices his freshman year. Roff then was given a medical red shirt, which allowed him to keep a year of eligibility and you are able to use it for another year if you desire.
“It's not that weird being here for three years,” Roff said. “It's kind of nice. I got to learn a lot when I sat out for my first year.”
Being here for three years has earned Roff the respect of his teammates as one of the leaders of the Saints baseball team.
“Austin is one of the main leaders, probably the top leader of this team,” teammate Tomas Cruz said. “He is a good role model to the team. He has a lot of experience. He is the guy to ask questions to. He also is the funny guy on the team.”
What got Roff started playing baseball was his parents and his grandparents. Roff's childhood role model that helped fuel his fire for baseball was Ken Griffey Jr.
When Roff isn't playing baseball he has been studying to major in sports medicine. When not playing baseball, Roff likes to ride dirt bikes and also enjoys reading.
“Reading books is probably one of the weirdest things people didn’t know about me,” Roff said.
Cruz, Roff’s roommate and teammate, had something different to say about Roff's weirdest experience.
“The weirdest thing I have seen Austin do was dance to a techno song in a bikini,” Cruz said.
Roff is planning on continuing his baseball career after Seward County.
“I have been talking to a couple of schools but still haven't came to a decision yet,” Roff said. “I want to play baseball as long as I can though.”
While Roff's Seward County baseball career is nearly over, he has many memories of SCCC.
“I've enjoyed my career here at Seward,” Roff said. “I enjoyed being with all the guys and being a part of such a great program.”
Roff and the Saints baseball team look to continue their winning ways while they try to make their way to Grand Junction, Colo., for the NJCAA National College World Series.