SAU's NFL Prospect Grew on Field and in Community

Bernard Buhake had to share the most exciting day of his life last month.

So, after meeting with NFL scouts from the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos during a draft prospect visit to campus, the St. Ambrose football star dropped by Davenport's Project Renewal, an after-school and summer program for at-risk children.

"Being around those kids and sharing the moment with them was important to me," Buhake said, "because I feel like that's definitely a big part of who I am today and what got me in this position."

During his time at SAU, Buhake volunteered three years at Project Renewal, working with the children on everything from after-school homework to arts and crafts, and from games and sports to one-on-one reading or journal writing.

"I love being able to make a difference," said Buhake, who discovered Project Renewal from a flyer posted on campus one summer.

"The kids see me as a role model – like if I could do it, they could do it, too. Just seeing somebody smile or being nice honestly goes a long way to having a positive impact. You never know what's going on behind the scenes, so being able to be that positive influence in their lives is something I will always cherish."

Buhake said the volunteer work fueled his personal growth from timid freshman to football team leader, NFL prospect and soon his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology as a Winter 2021 graduate.

The 6-foot-7, 245-pound defensive end – coveted for his size, quickness, and 7-foot wingspan – currently is considering which Senior All-Star Bowl Game to attend after spending Christmas with his family back home in Texas.

Buhake said his next steps are training for a Pro Day workout at a larger school ahead of the NFL Combine, assuming expected invites to either land in his mailbox. SAU's career sack leader plans to enroll in the Master of Organizational Leadership program this fall and perhaps serve as a Grad Assistant coach should the NFL dream not materialize.

"I never imagined I would be in this position coming out of high school. I didn't get any interest from the big schools," said Buhake, whose goal is to become SAU's Athletic Director someday.

"I wasn't always the best student, or the most open or outgoing in high school, but ever since I've gotten to SAU, I've become more and more involved on and around campus. I was able to become more responsible and just became a better individual. Of all the people I've met and all the relationships I've been able to make, that's really what I look back on."

Buhake's good works also included volunteering at local food banks and serving as a member of the STARs (Students Training as Role Models) team assisting with Orientation at SAU.

"It's hard being 13 hours away from home and coming to school some place you've never been," Buhake said about his role with STARS. "I know how it feels in your first year with new classes, new routines and an all-new way of life. I can relate to the stress and anxiety of finals week. I can remember the challenge of making new friends and good choices with your free time. So, getting to talk with the freshmen and guide them was something I wanted to do."

Buhake said he developed a passion for volunteering during his freshman year through the football team's contributions to the Athletic Department's Christmas outreach program, where each student-athlete purchases a gift for an underprivileged child.

"We had an undefeated season going in intramural basketball but had a big game the same night of study hall," Buhake remembers. "So, in order for us to miss study hall, our coaches were like, ‘Hey, you need to wrap presents.'

"I'd never wrapped a gift in my life, but thankfully we had a bunch of people teaching us how to wrap gifts. I'm glad that experience happened because then we got to deliver the toys. I ended up doing that every year because it was so much fun and so special."