The lights darkened as the gym grew quiet. It was game time and Uriah Rodeman was ready for the task at hand. The announcers called his name for the starting lineup and he rose, ready to help lead his team to victory.
For Rodeman, life combines a mix of faith, friends, family, and basketball. As a homeschooled student-athlete, Rodeman has to balance a magnitude of responsibilities and meet high expectations, while keeping his roots deep in his faith. Rodeman has committed himself to his goals and relationships through the aspirations of personal growth, resilience, and commitment. Rodeman reveals his strong connection to his family and how they all support each other in all endeavors.
“I am really involved with my family,” Rodeman said.
For Rodeman, family is his center. Growing up homeschooled, Rodeman was able to spend lots of time with his family and create deep connections.
“Another area is definitely friends… I’ve found friends in my life that I can trust and who I lean on,” Rodeman said.
Rodeman learned while growing up to surround himself with loyal and accountable friends. This type of maturity does not come easy to most people. Rodeman actually went to Revere High School (RHS), but decided to go back to homeschooling.
“I loved Revere. I loved being there every day. I loved the friends that I made. The difference was the amount of freedom I had to pursue what I wanted to pursue,” Rodeman said.
Rodeman loved all that RHS had to offer, but had different goals to focus on for his future. Going back to homeschooling allowed him to focus more on basketball, be with his family and friends more, and still earn college credit through CCP classes. This increased time in basketball has definitely paid off for Rodeman.
“Basketball is a major part of my life…I’ve always just been chasing that dream and seeing where it takes me,” Rodeman said.
While family, friends, and faith anchor Rodeman, he continues to chase his goals in basketball.
“I am sitting on 18 [offers] right now…Including West Virginia Wesleyan, Defiance, Fisher, Taylor, Bethal, and possibly some D1 walk-on spots,” Rodeman said.
Rodman’s commitment to the sport through constant training on the court and discipline off it have led to many opportunities for his future. He continues to rack up offers from many colleges from all levels. His hard work throughout all these years will pay off as he is able to live out his dreams of basketball.
“Another area is my faith and how I’ve grown closer to God over the years and the ways he has helped me become who I am today,” Rodeman said.
Rodeman cements himself in his roots through faith. He is involved with the church and has been from a young age. Rodeman believes this faith connects all parts of his life, especially his connections with his family. His sister, Bella Rodeman, confirmed their relationship.
“Our connection is very tight. I believe this is rooted in our faith and being homeschooled,” she said.
Uriah and Bella have been homeschooled almost their entire lives. This has given them time to bond together in all aspects of their lives.
“I am a full time CCP student with him. Although we are in different classes, we are able to bond through it,” Bella said.
Despite being in different classes, they work together to help each other when needed. Outside of school, they both support each other in their activities and with their goals. Uriah and Bella’s father, Ryan Rodeman, displayed how proud he is of his son.
“Uriah surprises me with his maturity that helps him succeed in basketball, grow his faith, and maintain healthy relationships with his friends and family,” he said.
Ryan believes Uriah has grown into a mature young man at a young age. His particular path has allowed Uriah to grow his inner and outer abilities as he pleases. Ryan serves as the pastor of the Akron East campus of Grace Church. This has given Uriah a close connection with his faith since he was young.
“Faith has always been a root for Uriah. He uses basketball to share his faith. In simple terms, basketball is what he does and Christianity is who he is,” Ryan said.
Uriah Rodeman roots all aspects of his life and how he carries himself through his faith. This has given Rodeman strong character traits and morals to live his life with every day. Whether he is hanging with his friends or family or playing the game he loves, he carries himself with high standards rooted in his faith.
