Hockey Player's Positive attitude helps him excel on, off ice
By Katie DelVerne
He’s a member of prestigious clubs on campus, a dean’s list recipient and hockey player. Tallen Stroman, a 20-year-old ice hockey player hailing from York seems to have it all going on. He plays on the Cal 2 team at the university and serves as the president of the hockey club. In Fall '15, Stroman is going into his senior year at Cal U as a criminal justice major.
Stroman has been playing hockey since he was 4 and has played as a goalie for most of that time. He said his mom was the one responsible for getting him hooked on hockey. However, Stroman said both parents have been extremely supportive.
“Both my mom and dad have always been there for me every year I’ve played,” Stroman said. “They have given me everything I could have ever asked for.”
Stroman is not solely a hockey player, though. He has also been an aggressive lacrosse player for 17 years. Ice
hockey is his sport of choice, however, and it's where he focuses most of his sports energy at Cal U.
He spends around 15 to 20 hours per week training for hockey. The team holds its practices late, around 9:30 p.m., and the practices last anywhere from one to two hours. However, the training does not end there. Stroman spends his free training time doing high muscle training from five to 10 hours a week. He says it contributes to his success on the ice.
He has not always had the easiest time with his body, however. During his freshman year, he injured his hip. He needed immediate surgery on it and had extensive recovery time. Stroman said he remained strong, confident, and positive through it and came out stronger than he was before.
Stroman lives his life with a positive attitude. “My ultimate achievement is having one of the best times I can in hockey,” Stroman said. “I want to keep doing what I can to succeed in life.”
His teammates feed off his good energy on and off the ice. Chris Schmitt, a junior at Cal U and an ice hockey player, is both a friend and teammate of Stroman.
“Tallen is a good friend and a good guy in general,” Schmitt said, “He gets along with everyone, he has great leadership qualities, and he has great relationships with the guys on and off the ice.”
Stroman refers to his fellow players as brothers, not teammates. “We’re really close,” Stroman said.
Additionally, Stroman makes a conscious effort to stay involved and have a good relationship with his campus peers. He is a member of Student Government and Archery Club and is a Student Ambassador.
However, his participation in student leadership positions, hockey, and clubs can be difficult to juggle. Stroman says one of his biggest struggles in being a student athlete has been balancing his team and practice with school and extracurricular activities. Nevertheless, now as a senior, Stroman seems to have it down pat.
In fact, Melissa Dunn, the adviser of Student Government, complimented Stroman on his ability to remain a contributing member while still being busy.
“He has not only served as contributing senator but also on the executive board,” Dunn said. “Tallen brings a raw and honest opinion to all discussions."
With his graduation in just a few short months, and hockey season coming to a close soon, Stroman reflected on what he sees in his future. Though he may not continue to play, he does have dreams of helping others.
“Once I am done playing this season, I will probably stop,” Stroman said. “My hip is giving me problems,” he said. “I am, however, trying to coach.”
Stroman wants to inspire young athletes. When asked what advice he would give to up-and-coming athletes, he said, “I have always given little kids the advice to do anything that you put your mind to. If you work hard enough at it, it’ll happen.”
Katie DelVerne is a senior at California University of Pennsylvania studying Public Relations and Journalism. Read more of Katie's stories on katiedelverne.weebly.com
Stroman has been playing hockey since he was 4 and has played as a goalie for most of that time. He said his mom was the one responsible for getting him hooked on hockey. However, Stroman said both parents have been extremely supportive.
“Both my mom and dad have always been there for me every year I’ve played,” Stroman said. “They have given me everything I could have ever asked for.”
Stroman is not solely a hockey player, though. He has also been an aggressive lacrosse player for 17 years. Ice
hockey is his sport of choice, however, and it's where he focuses most of his sports energy at Cal U.
He spends around 15 to 20 hours per week training for hockey. The team holds its practices late, around 9:30 p.m., and the practices last anywhere from one to two hours. However, the training does not end there. Stroman spends his free training time doing high muscle training from five to 10 hours a week. He says it contributes to his success on the ice.
He has not always had the easiest time with his body, however. During his freshman year, he injured his hip. He needed immediate surgery on it and had extensive recovery time. Stroman said he remained strong, confident, and positive through it and came out stronger than he was before.
Stroman lives his life with a positive attitude. “My ultimate achievement is having one of the best times I can in hockey,” Stroman said. “I want to keep doing what I can to succeed in life.”
His teammates feed off his good energy on and off the ice. Chris Schmitt, a junior at Cal U and an ice hockey player, is both a friend and teammate of Stroman.
“Tallen is a good friend and a good guy in general,” Schmitt said, “He gets along with everyone, he has great leadership qualities, and he has great relationships with the guys on and off the ice.”
Stroman refers to his fellow players as brothers, not teammates. “We’re really close,” Stroman said.
Additionally, Stroman makes a conscious effort to stay involved and have a good relationship with his campus peers. He is a member of Student Government and Archery Club and is a Student Ambassador.
However, his participation in student leadership positions, hockey, and clubs can be difficult to juggle. Stroman says one of his biggest struggles in being a student athlete has been balancing his team and practice with school and extracurricular activities. Nevertheless, now as a senior, Stroman seems to have it down pat.
In fact, Melissa Dunn, the adviser of Student Government, complimented Stroman on his ability to remain a contributing member while still being busy.
“He has not only served as contributing senator but also on the executive board,” Dunn said. “Tallen brings a raw and honest opinion to all discussions."
With his graduation in just a few short months, and hockey season coming to a close soon, Stroman reflected on what he sees in his future. Though he may not continue to play, he does have dreams of helping others.
“Once I am done playing this season, I will probably stop,” Stroman said. “My hip is giving me problems,” he said. “I am, however, trying to coach.”
Stroman wants to inspire young athletes. When asked what advice he would give to up-and-coming athletes, he said, “I have always given little kids the advice to do anything that you put your mind to. If you work hard enough at it, it’ll happen.”
Katie DelVerne is a senior at California University of Pennsylvania studying Public Relations and Journalism. Read more of Katie's stories on katiedelverne.weebly.com