Number of Participants: 1
Hours Donated: 112
Value of Time Served: $946
Event Type: Civic & Community
Activity: Baseball
School: Ward Melville Senior High School
Date: May 9, 2025
Location:
Ward Melville High School
Old Town Road, Setauket- East Setauket
NY
About:
For Ward Melville High School’s Rowan Golub, baseball isn’t just a sport—it’s a way of life. With games and practices running from March to November and indoor training throughout the winter, Rowan commits to baseball year-round. That dedication has paid off with a starting position on the Varsity Baseball team, where he not only competes but leads.
As a consistent presence in the lineup, Rowan embraces the responsibility of guiding younger teammates, especially the 9th and 10th graders. Baseball, as he puts it, is a game built on failure. “Getting a hit just 30% of the time will get you into the Hall of Fame,” he explains. “That means you can’t get upset at the 7 out of 10 times you get out.” It’s a mindset shift that many younger players struggle with when moving up to the Varsity level—and Rowan is there to help them through it. Whether it’s offering advice in the dugout or leading by example on the field, he’s become a steady influence for those still learning the mental side of the game.
But Rowan’s leadership doesn’t stop at the baseball diamond. Off the field, his commitment to giving back is just as strong. He’s dedicated over 40 hours as a tour guide for the Three Village Historical Society, helping bring local Revolutionary War history to life. His participation in Culper Spy Day tours—highlighting Setauket’s role in George Washington’s spy ring—allows him to inspire young visitors with the rich legacy of his hometown.
Rowan also serves the community through a range of hands-on volunteer efforts. At the Emma S. Clark Library, he’s contributed time making stress balls, crafting lanyards for troops, creating bee watering stations, and assembling blankets for animal shelters. Through Operation Christmas Child, he helped collect, package, and ship gift boxes to children in Africa and South America. He’s cooked and delivered meals to homebound veterans, and for the past three years, he’s volunteered during winter baseball workouts, mentoring younger athletes on hitting, fielding, and throwing mechanics.
What sets Rowan apart is his selfless approach to leadership. “Taking a pitch so someone can steal a base, or hitting behind a runner to move him over, might not help my stats—but it helps the team,” he says. That team-first mentality is what his coaches expect from him, and it’s a role he relishes.
Whether he’s leading on the field, guiding visitors through history, or giving his time to those in need, Rowan Golub exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete and a community leader. With heart, humility, and a drive to make others better, Rowan is leaving a legacy that extends far beyond the baseball field.
