Each year, hundreds of Buffalo State student-athletes progress from the campus buildings of the University and into the professional world, ready to build incredible careers and impact positive change in their communities. Here are their stories.
 
Brandon Lathrop '16 was a four year member of the Buffalo State football team and now is serving his community as a police officer in North Tonawanda.

"I majored in criminal justice at Buffalo State and law enforcement was something I had always hoped to get into", Lathrop said.

"Right now, my day-to-day is a little different from the normal person. I work nights so I get in around 11:00 pm and work until 7:00 am."

"Currently my goal is to be the best patrolman I can be. I want to come as close as I can to perfecting the job as I can. Maybe down the line in my career something may come up with changing positions like a school resource officer, K9 officer, or detective. But as of right now I am trying to be the best I can to serve the people of North Tonawanda", Lathrop added.
 
 
One of the most rewarding part of Lathrop's career is taking part in the annual Shop with a Cop event hosted annually by local Buffalo State law enforcement.

Shop with a Cop is an event that was created in 1989 where local law enforcement officers take underprivileged children in the area shopping. The event happens typically around the holiday season as a way for the officers to build relationships in their community and give back to those who are less fortunate. Officers take children to a store and let them pick out Christmas presents for themselves.

"Whatever the kids want that day they can get and it's on us", Lathrop exclaimed.

"We have a lot of kids that show up and when they pick something they never thought they could get it's a real joyful thing to be a part of. Not only seeing how happy the kids are but how happy the families are as well. Nothing but smiles on that day."
 
On the field, Lathrop was a crucial part of the football teams rise to an eventual Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship during his junior campaign. Lathrop suited up for 30 games for the Bengals and was a major contributor on the offensive line. He earned All-Empire 8 Honorable Mention his sophomore season before earning first team All-Empire 8 following his junior and senior campaigns. Lathrop also earned an invite to the University at Buffalo "Pro Day" following his junior season where he showcased his talents to NFL scouts.
 
 
"We had some very successful seasons", Lathrop added.

"Things like knocking of the No. 1 team in the nation in Wisconsin-Whitewater. We won an ECAC Championship when I was a junior. And then we went on to have another postseason berth playing in the ECAC Bowl my senior year. It was an awesome experience I wouldn't trade for anything."
 
For Lathrop, being a student-athlete was the ultimate experience. Being part of some of the most successful football teams in Buffalo State history was something he'll never forget and will always appreciate.
 

"One of those top moments was the Wisconsin-Whitewater win my freshman year. In front of that gigantic crowd that felt like 100,000 people and walking away to the bus with that victory was one of the coolest things ever. It was a good 16-hour bus trip back that's for sure."

"I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I got to see the transition of the athletic facilities. By the time I was a junior everything was done. We had a brand new weight room, brand new facilities, brand new training center, brand new locker rooms and the facility was top notch. For Division III we had one of the best facilities around", Lathrop added.
 
Lathrop gave one final message to the student-athlete population at Buffalo State:

"Enjoy the time you have now. Those four years go by really fast. Really make all the memories you can now and do everything that is asked of you from your coaches. Once you lose that time you won't get it back and these memories you will carry with you forever with a smile."

GO BENGALS!


If you know of any Buffalo State Athletics alumni that are accomplishing great things in their professional lives that would be worthy of a feature story, please contact Director of Athletic Communications Mitchell Binda at bindamw@buffalostate.edu!