Bucknell University Athletics
Alumni Inspire Dante Ross as he Expands his Duties
10/18/2005 8:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 18, 2005
By Jillian Jakuba, Bucknell Athletic Communications
Even after playing in 26 career games, what senior defensive back Dante Ross remembers most is taking the field for the first time as a freshman Homecoming Weekend against Lafayette.
"I can still vividly remember alumni who came to talk to us about their experiences at Bucknell and how most memories they have with were with their teammates," Ross recalls. "Being able to be part of such a proud tradition really made me want to do everything in my power to achieve a victory for everyone associated with the Bucknell program, especially alumni."
It's hard to argue that Ross hasn't done just that as his list of individual accomplishments stretches on and on. He was named 2004 Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Year, then this preseason was picked to duplicate that honor. Ross also currently needs only six punt return yards to equal the Bucknell career mark of 626 currently held by current Toronto Argonauts star Kevin Eiben who played for the Bison from 1997-2000.
In 2004, Ross led the Patriot League in both punt return and kickoff return average and ranked fifth nationally in kick returns and 34th in punt returns. As a sophomore, Ross was named Special Teams MVP for the Bison after leading the Patriot League in punt return average and ranking second in kickoff return average.
Ross became the first player in school and league history to record two kickoff returns for touchdowns in the same game when he ran back kicks of 97 and 85 yards in Bucknell's 35-19 win at Georgetown last season, a feat he considers to be his greatest career accomplishment.
Most recently, Ross has gone an extra step to help the injury-laden squad and played both quarterback and slotback in the game against Cornell, in addition to his regular on-field duties. Ross, who is no stranger to the offensive side of the ball as he began his career at Bucknell as a wide receiver, enjoys the switch. The opportunity also presents a challenge in the added extra workload, but Ross is more than happy to put in the extra time for the sake of his team.
"I have to double my film duties because I now have to prepare for both sides of the ball," says Ross. "Adjusting will occur by me staying focused and concentrating on the new things that I'm learning everyday."
His preparation paid off as Ross ran for a team-leading 59 yards on 15 carries in his 2005 offensive debut at Cornell two weeks ago. This, of course, was in addition to his 45 yards on kickoff returns and two punt returns for 25 yards in the contest. He was on the field for an estimated 85 percent of the plays in the game.
As his collegiate career draws to a close, Ross hopes he will leave his impact on younger players, very much in the same way the alumni inspired him as a freshman.
"I would like the guys to know that regardless of how any of my seasons here turned out, I always played with maximum heart and effort," he states.
However, Ross is also the first to admit he has learned from his team.
"This team has taught me that winning is not guaranteed no matter how hard you prepare," Ross comments. "I remember in high school when the halftime scores of most games would be 50-0. We always prepared to play the maximum amount of games, which included a semifinal game and a championship. At the college level, where talent and skill are all over the country, winning is sometimes hard to accomplish. When you win at this level you have to cherish it."
An American history major from Groton, Conn., Ross is considering returning to his home state to pursue a career in social work upon graduation, but still remains uncertain about his plans for the future. Whatever he chooses to do in the professional world, Ross trusts he will continue with the same drive and dedication he had as a football player.
"I would like to come away from the game of football holding on to my consistency to always get better," says Ross. "What I try to do year in and out is build on what I do well and also take note of things which I don't do so I can improve and make gains from the previous year."
Ross will miss being able to say he is committed to a Division 1-AA football program and he will miss the daily team routines that come with the life of a college football player, but the type of commitment he made to give his all for the Bison squad will resonate for many years to come. In the business world, Ross plans on doing everything in his power to make the company he works for as successful as possible.
If his credentials on the field are any indication, when Dante Ross says he'll give his all, don't expect anything less.
