Darryl Straughter remembers it vividly – that fateful day in early March of 2020. The Cavalier Men’s Basketball team had just won the GMAC tournament and was on a bus heading out to Indianapolis for the Midwest Regional NCAA tournament when they received the news that due to a global pandemic, the tournament was canceled and the hopes for an NCAA championship run had ended abruptly. For Darryl, however, now a fifth-year senior majoring in exercise science with a minor in communications, he did not accept defeat. Coming back to Walsh University for an extra year thanks to the NCAA’s COVID-19 waiver, Darryl led the Cavaliers to become the all-time leading scorer in the history of men’s basketball.
Most mornings, he can be found working out in the weight room or making practice shots in the Alumni Arena. The lessons he’s learned from the coaches have helped shape him as an athlete and team player, but he credits his unwavering work ethic to growing up in a two-parent home in the inner city of Canton.
“My dad pushed me into sports, and my mom enforced school work,” said Darryl. “Having them as leaders helped me.”
Though Darryl came to Walsh on a full athletic scholarship, he chose Walsh because it was close to home.
“My freshman year was a big adjustment,” said Darryl. “It was the first time being on my own, but what really impacted me the most was that the professors treated me like an adult. I also love the mission of giving back to the world. When you help others achieve their goals, you find happiness. I had a lot of people give back to me, and they always told me to pay it forward. I love giving back.”
Throughout his time at Walsh, Darryl has participated in the Black Student Union, a student leadership organization that supports and highlights diversity on campus, and he’s given back to his community through outreach, giving advice to high school students.
“I encourage them to give college a shot,” said Darryl. “It’s not for everyone, but I’ve also seen people who struggle in high school have success in college. It’s something you should at least try.”
Darryl is proud to be recognized for academics and he loves being active and playing sports. His career goal is to combine his passion for helping others with his interest in exercise science, so it made perfect sense for him to become an entrepreneur and start a personal trainer business. With the few clients he currently has, he hopes his business will be successful and result in multiple gyms throughout Ohio.
