Featured Hawks: Dapo Kruyswijk
Every Friday Chowan Athletics will spotlight select student-athletes and coaches in a series called Featured Hawks. This series highlights Hawks who exemplify excellence in the classroom, in competition, and within the Chowan community. Student-athletes were selected based on their academic achievement, athletic performance, leadership, character, and overall standing with the university. Coaches have the opportunity to share their coaching journey, discuss their programs, and provide insight about their vision for the future.
Fans will learn more about the individual experiences and stories of our student-athletes and coaches at Chowan as the spotlight series will continue by highlighting one individual throughout the school year each week.
September 25, 2026
Sophomore Dapo Kruyswijk is a Business Administration major from Amsterdam, Netherlands. Dapo has made an immediate impact on the Chowan men's basketball team since arriving on campus. Kruyswijk was recognized for his contributions at the 2026 Chowan Athletics Sports Awards Show, where he was named to the Rookie Class.
Off the court, Kruyswijk continues to make an impact within the Chowan community as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). As an international student, Kruyswijk has embraced the Chowan community and the sense of family that comes with being a Hawk.
Why did you choose Chowan University?
I chose Chowan because when I visited and had my first conversation with my coach, Coach Burke, I got a very positive feeling. Everyone I met was very kind, and I still feel that way today. I think Chowan's community is like no other. We all treat each other like family, and that's especially important to me as an international student coming from very far away. It's important to feel a sense of community, and Chowan definitely provides that. Honestly, I needed a place away from home that felt like home, and Chowan definitely did that.
Who has had the greatest impact on your journey at Chowan, and why?
The person who has had the greatest impact on my Chowan journey so far is Coach Burke. He gave me the opportunity to come play for him, and every day he pushes and motivates me to become a better player. I think that's what he does with everyone around him. He not only influences me, but he also pushes my teammates to be better, which motivates me as well. It creates this great cycle of everyone motivating each other and trying to reach the same goal as a team. I think that's the beauty of being on a team at Chowan. Everyone genuinely tries to improve themselves and be the best version of themselves they can be. As a team, you have a goal, but individually, you need to do your part to reach that goal.
What does being a hawk mean to you?
To me, being a Hawk means being a hard worker and persevering no matter the challenge in front of you. It means working together to help each other become better. I think my team making it to the conference finals last year is a perfect example of this. It shows how, if you work hard and your team works hard together toward a combined goal, anything is possible. That's what I think it means to be a Chowan Hawk.
