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Ezekiel Stroupe '16, a product of Rochester, Pa. and graduate of Freedom High School, came to W&J in the fall of 2012. He competed primarily at the 197 pound weight class during his time at W&J. He posted a career-high 24 wins during his senior season, including a pair of wins at the 2016 NCAA Division III Mideast Regional. Stroupe was named a Scholar All-American by the NWCA following his senior season in 2016. He also earned a pair of wrestling team awards, receiving the Martin Reiley Award (Team Unsung Hero) in 2013) and the Team Most Improved Wrestler Award in 2016.
 

Name: Ezekiel Stroupe

Class Year: 2016

Sport(s) Played at W&J: Wrestling

Major at W&J:
Major – Child Development and Education.
Minor – Environmental Studies

Current Job Title & Employer: 7th and 8th grade gifted education teacher at Seneca Valley School District.

Brief description of job duties/responsibilities: I teach reading, a discussion skills class, and mentor self-selected year-long research projects.

Current level of education: Bachelor's Degree from W&J. Currently working on a master's degree in educational leadership.

Career path following W&J: Following graduation, I entered the work force as a fifth grade English learning arts teacher before stepping into my current role for the past three years. I was hired right out of school. I have also began investing in real estate on a small scale.

Summarize your experience at W&J: I loved my time at W&J. The professors were amazing and truly cared about the students. Many professors and employees in general made efforts to form genuine relationships with students. I enjoyed my time as a brother at Phi Psi and organizing and completing many service projects. Competing on the wrestling team at W&J is an experience I will never forget. The coaches were top notch and are responsible for much of the success I found on the mat and in class. The ability to still collaborate and keep up with my coaches and professors is a testament to how great of people they were.

Favorite memory as a student-athlete: Having a team weekend at Raystown Lake. We hiked to the top of a mountain, boated, and then played a massive mud football game before relaxing and feasting as a team.

Notable athletic and academic accomplishments during college: Dean's List (Four Semesters), Academy for Adolescent Health - Youth Advocate Award, Jerry Nelson Service Award winner (2015 & 2016), Martin Reiley – Team Unsung Hero Award (2013), Team Most Improved Wrestler Award (2016), Team Captain (2016), NWCA Scholar All-American (2016).

Extra-curricular activities at W&J (outside of athletics): Brother at Phi Kappa Psi (Philanthropy chair and Brotherhood chair).

Athletic accomplishments since graduation: Fifth year coaching wrestling at Seneca Valley. Have also coached track and field for three years and coached football for one year. Serve as the Director of the Beaver Country Wrestling Camp.

What went into your decision to attend W&J? The quality and reputation of the academics. How nice Coach Prairie was. Location of campus.

What advice would you give current W&J student-athletes? Lean on your coaches when you need help. If they are anything like my coaches, they will work to see you become successful in all areas of life. Enjoy your time as a student-athlete!

Any additional information you would like to add? Since graduating, I have received a trip to Poland to study the Holocaust through Classrooms Without Borders and the Seneca Valley School District. I placed third in the call for lesson plans to commemorate the Tree of Life Shooting through CWB. Lessons featured on a mini-documentary on WQED.