Rosenstein | Right time for first sophomore captain

What’s in a captain? Sometimes, it’s just a ton of talent. Usually, it’s also a lot of experience. And always, it’s a great deal of leadership.

Recently named men’s basketball co-captain Zack Rosen fits easily into two of those categories. He’s a highly talented point guard who led the Ivy League in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio as a freshman, and before even being elected captain his leadership on and off the court was unquestioned.

But the experience? Not so much. Even after starting all but one game in 2008-09, Rosen does not have the experience you generally find in a captain. He is believed to be the first-ever sophomore captain at Penn.

The players elected their captains through a simple closed vote with no prior discussion. The unprecedented results send one message loud and clear: For the next three years, this is Zack Rosen’s team.

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At first, choosing a sophomore captain might seem alarming, quite possibly an indictment of the upperclassmen’s leadership. While senior Darren Smith was also elected co-captain, other upperclassmen like juniors Jack Eggleston and Tyler Bernardini seem on the surface to be more logical choices than Rosen.

Eggleston, in particular, is known for his intensity and tremendous leadership and seemed like a virtual lock to be captain. Bernardini has been the team’s go-to scorer, though that doesn’t always translate into a good choice for captain.

While it’s easy to wonder why these guys weren’t chosen, it’s hard to think the team questioned their leadership.

“We have a number of guys that are good candidates,” Eggleston said. “Just because it’s these two, it’s not a condemnation of me or Tyler and saying we’re not good leaders.”

Of course, a player would not be expected to admit if his teammates doubted his leadership, but it’s hard to disagree. Eggleston serves as a leader for the entire athletic community as the president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

So the real takeaway from the team’s decision is the confidence they all have in Rosen. Coach Glen Miller called Rosen’s being the first sophomore captain “irrelevant.”

“What’s relevant is that these guys have the respect of their teammates,” he said.

“The fact that he’s a sophomore doesn’t really mean much,” Bernardini agreed. “He’s our starting point guard. … He’s gonna be making the most decisions with the ball over the next three years.”

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That might be the biggest reason why the selection of Rosen makes the most sense. After a few down years, the programs needs to spark a turnaround this season. Rosen not only will be around throughout that process but also will play the biggest factor in its success.

As the point guard, he’s in the position to control the team more than anyone else can. When the offense goes stagnant, he knows how to stimulate it. When a play breaks down, he knows how to salvage it.

Now, as captain, he has even more free reign to put the team on his back.

“It’s something I’m excited about that confirms their faith in me,” he said. “It gives you a greater sense of ownership about holding guys accountable and really being on top of your stuff because your teammates are counting on you to be their leader.”

His teammates have voted and their verdict is this: the Quakers will rise and fall on Rosen’s shoulders.

Noah Rosenstein is a junior political science major from Hollywood, Fla., and is Sports Editor of The Daily Pennsylvanian. His e-mail address is rosenstein@dailypennsylvanian.com.

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