Siblings Make Rockhurst Athletics a Family Affair

Friday, May 27, 2022

tags: Athletics

In sports, teams are often so close they’re referred to internally as “families.” At an already tight-knit university like Rockhurst, because of the amount of time spent together and supporting each other, that can reach an extra level of inseparability that can lead to lifelong friendships.

Of course, “family” is just a metaphor here… except when it’s not.

This past academic and athletic year, Rockhurst had six sets of siblings playing intercollegiate sports for the Hawks.

Many shared their experiences of what it’s like as a student-athlete at Rockhurst while also having a sibling competing for the Hawks.

Sophia (Volleyball) & Spencer (Men’s Basketball) Moes
Omaha, Nebraska

“Our parents being able to support both of us at the same school is something I love,” Sophia says, “but the best thing is having a constant motivator to lean on and knowing someone always genuinely has your back when challenges arise.”

Frequently known as “Spencer’s sister” in high school, Sophia didn’t have her heart set on coming to Rockhurst. In fact, it was the opposite.

“Originally, I was looking anywhere and everywhere BUT Rockhurst,” she said. “In the end, all things aligned and I came to realize it’s where we were both meant to be. I cannot imagine my college experience without him, especially with being able to graduate together.”

Both Spencer and Sophia walked at the 2022 May Commencement ceremony. Sophia graduated early. They were also both inducted into the Student-Athlete Honor Society, Chi Alpha Sigma.

“The Derosia Connection” – Logan & Skylar Derosia (Women’s Lacrosse)
Highlands Ranch, Colorado

“I think the best part is being able to casually hang out with my sister and share the same group of friends on the team,” said Logan, a grad student.

“It's awesome playing with each other because we both play the same position (attack),” said Skylar, a freshman Psychology major. “Every time we help each other out on the field, our teammates call it the ‘Derosia Connection’.”

Logan graduated in December with degrees in Business Communication, Political Science, and Spanish, and is now finishing up her MBA, but sibling rivalries are real no matter what anyone has accomplished.

“One of us always has to be better than the other,” Skylar said.

“I think it's hard to give her feedback. It's easy for her to get annoyed with me because I'm her sister,” Logan wrote.

Rivalry or not, Skylar knew she wanted to follow her sister from Colorado to Rockhurst.

“After Logan decided to go to Rockhurst, I always knew I did, too,” she said. “When Logan and I were younger, around the age of 8 or so, we created a ‘Sister's Bucket List’ and going to the same college was one of the bullet points on it, so I am glad we both ended up here together.”

Even with the bucket list, Logan wasn’t sure Skylar would be a Hawk.

“I was actually very surprised that she ended up following me to Rockhurst,” Logan said. “I think after visiting me so often in high school and being able to see what my life was like on the team and the friends I had made, she realized that Rockhurst was an environment where she could also thrive as a student-athlete.”

Luke (Men’s Basketball) & Brett (Men’s Golf) Blau
Overland Park, Kansas

The Blau brothers came to Rockhurst from Overland Park, Kansas, but play for different teams. Being local, their parents can watch them play their respective sports in person.

“The best thing is getting to see the excitement from our parents when they watch us play our sports,” said Luke, a sophomore point guard on the basketball team majoring in Business Administration. “It was also awesome to get to see my brother in the stands at almost every home game. Seeing him around the different facilities that we work out in is also fun.”

“[The best thing] is running into Luke around campus and seeing him at extracurricular events,” said Brett, a graduate student on the golf team pursuing an MBA. “A lot of siblings go separate ways for college and only get to see one another a few times a year. I, on the other hand, get to see him all the time.”

There wasn’t a plan for the Blau brothers to go to the same university; it just worked out that way.

“Brett being at Rockhurst sparked my interest to look at the school, which then led to me pursuing the opportunity to play basketball here,” Luke said.

Luke & Cassie Coltvet (Cross Country)
Elkhorn, Nebraska

Like the Derosias, Luke and Cassie Coltvet participate in the same sport, so they spend a lot of time together. Luke (undecided) is a freshman and Cassie (Exercise Science) is a junior.

“I automatically get to go to every one of Luke’s meets and be there for all of his accomplishments,” Cassie said. “I was already here in Kansas City at school during his junior and senior years of high school in Omaha, so I really felt like I missed out when he went to the state meet and I couldn’t be there to support him. Now it’s so fun that I get to be part of his college athletic career!”

The Coltvets have a unique story in that while Luke followed Cassie to Rockhurst, Cassie followed Luke into cross country.

“It actually wasn’t a priority to go to school here together, and it really just worked out that we both ended up running for Rockhurst XC,” Cassie said. “I played softball my first two years and decided that I wanted to join the cross country team for my junior year. Luke had just committed to Rockhurst the same year to run, and I was happy that there would be one familiar face on the team right off the bat! Luckily, he wasn’t mad that I decided to copy him! He’s been one of my biggest supporters with running and I’m really thankful to Coach Strecker for welcoming us both to the team this year.”

“It was a big part of my decision to go to Rockhurst,” Luke said. “We have always been good friends and her guidance throughout my freshman year has been so valuable to me.”