Whitman Student-Athlete Finds Success On and Off the Soccer Field

Julius Rauch ’24, entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises and finance double major at the Whitman School of Management, found success in the classroom and on the soccer field. As a forward on Syracuse University's Men’s Soccer Team, Rauch, along with his teammates, led Syracuse to victory, winning the national title in Division I men's soccer. Rauch also worked hard at his academics, with a cumulative GPA of 4.0. He was honored with the “Elite 90” award by the NCAA, the first player in Syracuse’s men’s soccer history. He also received the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Honor during the season.

Rauch was born and raised in Düsseldorf, Germany, before he moved to the United States for college. In Germany, he attended an international school, where he learned English and played soccer on club teams. He knew that he wanted to pursue soccer after high school but had to make a decision —stay in Germany or attend a university in the U.S. Rauch ultimately chose to attend Syracuse and moved overseas. 

“That was a huge step. I was 19 years old when I came to Syracuse, so going and leaving my parents for eight months to a year is a big step. For my parents, it was important that I found a place I could call home. I'm happy I found Syracuse, and now I can call Syracuse my home,” he says.

Rauch started his academic career in finance and business in Germany. He took economics and math through an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program in high school, and, growing up, his father also worked in finance. Rauch is thankful that he had a knowledge of what field he wanted to go into before going to university.

“When I had my first couple of finance classes here at Syracuse, I could tell that it was something I really wanted to do,” Rauch says. “I developed a passion for entrepreneurship. My goal one day is to have my own company, and it's good to have the foundations here, especially because Syracuse is such a prestigious school in this field of study.”

Rauch found that he was able to take skills that he learned from the field and apply them to the classroom while also doing the reverse. He found that these skills were among many that helped him win the Elite 90 award. Rauch says, “I wish I could lie about it, but it is hard work…You have to be very self-motivated.” He acknowledged that between practices and games, the business world doesn't stop for anyone. So, he found himself working hard both in and out of  the classroom to make up for any time lost while he was away for games.

Professor of Practice John Petosa recognizes Rauch as an exemplary student. He says, “Julius is a leader in the classroom and on the field. He engages in class discussion in a thoughtful and meaningful way that helps all of the students gain a better understanding of the material.”

Although Rauch wants to have a long career in soccer, he acknowledges the benefits of getting a business degree. “You never know when your body will give up on you, but you can ensure that your mind will keep you in the game,” he says.

When Rauch’s soccer career ends, he wants to take what he has learned at Whitman to help people. “I would like to go into corporate finance and make sure I understand how the global market works and see how I can use that knowledge for philanthropic causes,” he says. “I want to make sure I can use my knowledge to help people that need my help or who don’t have the financial literacy I have gained by going to Whitman.”

By Rylee Pohancsek ’24