Danny Perkins

 

"I was recruited to play basketball for SUNY Purchase, but unfortunately, I couldn't afford to go. I got a few calls from the coaches at SUNY Adirondack, and eventually I decided to come here because I didn't know what else to do. Now that I've had my chance to play, other schools are looking to recruit me, which is pretty cool. I'm getting calls from Green Mountain College, College of St. Joseph in Vermont,Pine Manor College in Boston; I might even go back to the city to be honest.

When I look back, coming here was a really great decision for me. It worked out. My goal right now though, is to graduate. The problems we had with the basketball team this year were a real eye-opener. It was hard; it's like you never know who is really on your team. It was a lesson l earned. I'm sad that it happened, but at the same time, I'm glad because the group we had at the end was even better. Nobody thought we would win after all that, but we did. We shocked a lot of people in those last few games we played. I'd do it all over again.

I'm sad that it's over. I wish this were a four-year school so we could play together all four years. After my first season, I couldn't wait to come back, and this season went by too fast. It was a great experience.

It's cliché, but I want to play professional basketball. Even if I made it to the pros or was able to play overseas, I also want to be a photographer. I just found out to day that I got best in show for my photography. So I will be in a ceremony coming up soon.

I want people from the Bronx to know that there is life outside the Bronx. A lot of people my age in my neighborhood just want to sit around doing nothing all day. Be ing here is such a good change, I'm glad I made it out. I come from a terrible neighborhood.

Coach Haskell and the Public Safety Officers are my biggest influencers. Coach Haskell is always checking in and making sure I'm doing OK with my classes. Hekeeps me on the right track. I took a class and had a work-study job in the residence life office during winter break last semester so that I could stay up here. The cafeteria was closed, so I was struggling to find ways to eat. One of the public safety officers brought me snacks and meals and made sure I was OK.

Math is probably my worst subject, but even when I failed a math class, there were people to help and kept me motivated, pushing me to study and take the class over. Stacy in the student success office has been like a second mom to me.

There is a whole community here that wants to see me succeed. I've met a lot of really cool people here that I want to have with me for the rest of my life. I haven't had that kind of support before."

Danny Perkins
Bronx, NY
Media Arts, Class of 2016
Co-Captain of the Men's Basketball

#HumansofSUNYADK
#experienceitforyourself