Temple University Athletics
Four Owls Double as Student-Athletes and Army ROTC Cadets
11.11.22 | Field Hockey, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Track and Field
PHILADELPHIA – Temple Athletics is home to 19 varsity athletics programs, supporting hundreds of student-athletes year after year, helping to guide their academic pathway, athletic success, and plan for the future. Of those student-athletes, four individuals have found their home not just on their respective team, but as cadets in the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) at Temple University, a decision that has helped to shape their future. Sophia Gulotti, McKenna Burkhardt and Taylor Grollman are veterans of ROTC, while Juliane Cherry is in her first year of the program.
"On Veterans Day the entire Temple Athletics community salutes all current and former members of the United States Military" said Vice President and Director of Athletics Arthur Johnson. "I am thoroughly impressed by this talented group of student-athletes who not only represent Temple University and their respective teams, but also have chosen to serve our nation as members of Army ROTC."
Sophia Gulotti is a four-year member of the women's track and field team and Army ROTC assistant cadet S-3, who's passion for serving her country began well before beginning college. For Gulotti, she has always been interested in helping people, deciding upon pursuing a nursing degree for that reason. As she nears graduation, Gulotti hopes to use her education to continue her passion for serving others in the Army.
"I think a lot of what drives me is the end goal," Gulotti said. "I want to be a nurse in the Army. But it doesn't just stop there. Post Army career, I could really see myself becoming a pediatric nurse."
Another veteran member of ROTC is senior field hockey student-athlete, McKenna Burkhardt. Burkhardt, a native of Bethlehem, Pa., has been a member of Army ROTC since her first year as an Owl, currently serving as a cadet first sergeant. Much like Gulotti, Burkhardt knew she wanted to join ROTC prior to arriving on North Broad, but was unsure if her role as a student-athlete at a Division I program would allow that. That was until she met Gulotti, who was capitalizing on both opportunities. With dreams of serving in the National Guard, Burkhardt joined ROTC to prepare herself, while also planning to attend PA School and obtain a role as a physician's assistant postgraduation.
"I had always wanted to join ROTC before getting to college," Burkhardt said. "But obviously I was looking at schools for field hockey and with it being a Division I program; I wasn't sure if it would be able to work. Then I met Sophia, and she was an athlete who did ROTC, so it really got me thinking that I could do it too."
Alongside Gulotti and Burkhardt is Taylor Grollman, a sophomore goalie on the lacrosse team, who is in her second year as a cadet in ROTC. A native of Severn, Md., Grollman, always knew that serving in the Army postgraduation was a route that she was interested in pursuing. While entering as a student-athlete, Grollman understood the challenges and time commitment that her respective sport required, however, through collaboration with Head Coach Bonnie Rosen, Grollman was able to navigate this process, finding her home as a cadet and allowing her to pursue the first step towards her future.
"Coach Rosen and I really worked together," Grollman said. "We talked and we found a way for me to be able to do both. It can be a lot sometimes, but we get through it together. Not only do I have my lacrosse family, but I have my ROTC family, and my family back home to support me."
Rounding out the group of student-athlete ROTC members, is freshman Juliane Cherry, who joins Gulotti on the track and field team. A native of Washington, D.C., Cherry joined the Owl family this year and looks to compete in her first collegiate season this spring.
Temple Athletics joins the rest of our country in recognizing the selfless service and dedication of these four student-athletes, as well as all current and former members of the armed forces who has contributed to protecting this great nation.
"On Veterans Day the entire Temple Athletics community salutes all current and former members of the United States Military" said Vice President and Director of Athletics Arthur Johnson. "I am thoroughly impressed by this talented group of student-athletes who not only represent Temple University and their respective teams, but also have chosen to serve our nation as members of Army ROTC."
Sophia Gulotti is a four-year member of the women's track and field team and Army ROTC assistant cadet S-3, who's passion for serving her country began well before beginning college. For Gulotti, she has always been interested in helping people, deciding upon pursuing a nursing degree for that reason. As she nears graduation, Gulotti hopes to use her education to continue her passion for serving others in the Army.
"I think a lot of what drives me is the end goal," Gulotti said. "I want to be a nurse in the Army. But it doesn't just stop there. Post Army career, I could really see myself becoming a pediatric nurse."
Another veteran member of ROTC is senior field hockey student-athlete, McKenna Burkhardt. Burkhardt, a native of Bethlehem, Pa., has been a member of Army ROTC since her first year as an Owl, currently serving as a cadet first sergeant. Much like Gulotti, Burkhardt knew she wanted to join ROTC prior to arriving on North Broad, but was unsure if her role as a student-athlete at a Division I program would allow that. That was until she met Gulotti, who was capitalizing on both opportunities. With dreams of serving in the National Guard, Burkhardt joined ROTC to prepare herself, while also planning to attend PA School and obtain a role as a physician's assistant postgraduation.
"I had always wanted to join ROTC before getting to college," Burkhardt said. "But obviously I was looking at schools for field hockey and with it being a Division I program; I wasn't sure if it would be able to work. Then I met Sophia, and she was an athlete who did ROTC, so it really got me thinking that I could do it too."
Alongside Gulotti and Burkhardt is Taylor Grollman, a sophomore goalie on the lacrosse team, who is in her second year as a cadet in ROTC. A native of Severn, Md., Grollman, always knew that serving in the Army postgraduation was a route that she was interested in pursuing. While entering as a student-athlete, Grollman understood the challenges and time commitment that her respective sport required, however, through collaboration with Head Coach Bonnie Rosen, Grollman was able to navigate this process, finding her home as a cadet and allowing her to pursue the first step towards her future.
"Coach Rosen and I really worked together," Grollman said. "We talked and we found a way for me to be able to do both. It can be a lot sometimes, but we get through it together. Not only do I have my lacrosse family, but I have my ROTC family, and my family back home to support me."
Rounding out the group of student-athlete ROTC members, is freshman Juliane Cherry, who joins Gulotti on the track and field team. A native of Washington, D.C., Cherry joined the Owl family this year and looks to compete in her first collegiate season this spring.
Temple Athletics joins the rest of our country in recognizing the selfless service and dedication of these four student-athletes, as well as all current and former members of the armed forces who has contributed to protecting this great nation.
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