Davis & Elkins athletics has unveiled its Senator Spotlight series to highlight members of the department throughout the semester. Check back to SenatorNation.com each Monday and Friday for the latest Spotlight. 

Name: Daniel Mondragon

Title: Head Basketball Coach

Hometown: Medellin, Colombia

Where did you work prior to arriving at D&E? DME Sports Academy, a prep school where I was the head coach of the high school national team for three years.

What is your why? To sum it up, I coach because I love the game of basketball and I love to impact people. I love the idea of getting a group to sacrifice and work towards a bigger collective goal. The influence of the coaches in my life is something that I strive to do for others!

What is your most memorable moment (at any level) in athletics? I went from a walk-on to a two-year starter and captain, although not a moment, it is one of my proudest moments. Within that time, I hit a late-game three pointer in double overtime against Rollie Massimino’s Northwood squad to win our conference on the road my senior year.

One place you'd like to visit for a vacation? Spain.

Favorite part about your job? Seeing things come together during competition.

What do you like to do outside of work? Fishing, golfing, anything outdoors.

What's your walk-up song? Trophies by Drake

What's your favorite TV show or show you're currently binge-watching? New girl (I have watched it six times and still watch almost daily), Money Heist and Yellowstone. 

What would you be doing if you didn't work in athletics? Likely some leadership position within sports or a corporation where I would deal with leading or mentoring people.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why? Teleportation so that I could travel or be anywhere in an instant.

Favorite music genre? Don’t have one favorite, I guess it depends on the mood. Anything from rap, hip hop, alternative and reggae.

If/when they make a D&E Athletics full-length, feature film, what celebrity should be cast as you and why? Not sure, maybe Shia LeBouf? Definitely from his days in the movie Holes. That guy can go from Even Stevens to Transformers with Megan Fox, so it’s a nice range!