The 2019 Rams Reflect is the fourth in a series of annual collections. Senior captains and representatives of Suffolk teams have been invited to contribute viewpoints based on personal experience from both their senior seasons and full varsity careers at Suffolk.
For a complete listing of past and present Rams’ Reflections, click here.
Jim Djema | Hometown: Greenwich, Conn. | Finance
Being a member of the Suffolk University community has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Not only did I find a home in Boston I also was able to make life-long friends, who I consider brothers as part of the Suffolk University Men’s Basketball program.
It was not always sunshine and rainbows. Having a losing record in both my freshman and sophomore years was difficult but myself, as well as my teammates, saw the potential we had, and used the offseason as our opportunity to turn our program around.
We ended my junior year 15-12 and made it to the semi-finals of the GNAC conference tournament for the first time in a decade. We were happy, but not satisfied. With everyone coming back as well as a couple of new recruits, we were ready to take the next step. We finished my senior season 18-8 and became one of the winningest teams in nearly four decades.
To My Teammates: Thank you for making my senior year so enjoyable. I had a great time working day in and day out with you guys. The Naples trip was the first long distance trip this program has ever taken and I am glad I was able to experience it with my brothers. I hope I was able to push each one of you not only as players but individuals off the court as well. My class was able to lay the foundation, and I am optimistic that you guys will continue to work hard and build on our successes for years to come. Do not take your opportunity to wear the Suffolk jersey for granted. Your time is fleeting, much quicker than you may think. Make the most out of your opportunities and cherish the journey you are on, with the people you are on it with.
To My Coaches: Thank you for taking a chance on an injured recruit, who did not play for 10 months. Your faith in me coming back after ACL surgery was the motivation I needed to work hard every offseason, and give you my best effort day in and day out. I am honored to say I played for one of the best coaching staff’s in the country, and the impact you’ve had on this program will be talked about for years to come.
To the Future Rams: You guys will have an amazing opportunity to continue what we have started. We have developed a certain standard when we play and that is called Suffolk Basketball. You may not understand what this means now, but when you take your first steps on campus, and you guys begin your preseason workouts, you will figure it out. You will have a group of players who are all bought in and a coaching staff that will go above and beyond to make sure every single player is on the same page and working to be the best teammate and person they can be.
Suffolk University will always be in my heart. I have had the best four years of my life here. Through the ups and the downs, the wins and the losses, I am able to say I gave it my all on the court. Being a part of the Suffolk University men’s basketball team means much more than just being an athlete, it is a family.