Men's Cross Country Peter deTar earns SCAC Character & Community Recognition

PETER DETAR OF UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS, a junior on the men's cross country team, has been selected the SCAC Character & Community Male Student-Athlete-of-the-Week for the week beginning October 24, 2016.

The SCAC honors the efforts of student-athletes who excel in the field of athletics, and also serve their campus and community.

DeTar is involved on the University of Dallas campus, serving in multiple clubs and organizations he shares a passion for throughout the year. His biggest involvement throughout his time at UD has been the Swing Club. The native of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is currently the President of the organization and the DJ for the weekly meetings. He works hard each week preparing and instructing a lesson for participants, and once that is complete; a free dance is conducted for newcomers and experience dancers alike.

"I really enjoy participating in this club and leading it now, because it is something you can bring with you the rest of your life and out into the world around you," deTar explained. "When I was in Rome recently, we stumbled across a live Italian concert that was going on in Naples, Italy. Several of my friends who were there knew how to swing dance and started dancing in the piazza."

DeTar continued, "We got quite a few stares from the Italians but it was quite worth it to dance around in such a historic place as Naples."

DeTar has been asked to DJ at other events, and most recently volunteered at the Crusaders' Charity Week Social. It is an annual event that was put on a few weeks ago.

The junior has regularly participated in the school's orientation at the start of each academic year for incoming freshman. DeTar enjoyed it again this year and anticipates doing it again as a senior.

"Basically my job in those cases is helping to move in the freshmen class and helping the parents of these new college freshmen to get adjusted to the idea that their children are now going to be living at college away from them," DeTar stated. "I also sit on a student panel that is for the new freshman to ask questions without any of the faculty around so they feel truly comfortable asking whatever they are concerned about for the upcoming year as a freshman at the University of Dallas."

DeTar also works in the Admissions Office.

His dedication to the University has also carried over onto the race course. A second-year runner for the UD Cross Country program, deTar has rounded out the top three finishes for the Crusaders in all five races this season. This includes his personal best (18:44 minutes) in the season-opening 5k race at the Bill Libby Invitational.