From Eagle Captain to Gopher Leader: RJ Spencer ’22 Featured in Minnesota Star Tribune

RJ Spencer ’22 was recently featured in the Minnesota Star Tribune for his journey from student manager to member of the University of Minnesota men’s basketball roster.

Read the full Star Tribune article here.

The feature highlights RJ’s perseverance, leadership, and willingness to serve in any role needed. After beginning his time with the Gophers as a student manager, RJ earned a spot on the roster as a walk-on and became a valued presence within the program. While his minutes on the court were limited, his impact was clear through his energy, character, and leadership from the bench.

RJ’s story is one the Totino-Grace community knows well.

During his four years at TG, RJ was a standout student-athlete and leader. He captained both the football and boys basketball teams, helping lead the Eagles boys basketball program to its first state championship in 2022. He also participated in golf, served in Campus Ministry, was a Link Crew Captain, a founding member of the Chess Club, a member of the National Honor Society, and was named Totino-Grace’s Lasallian “Man of the Year.”

Beyond athletics, RJ embodied what it means to be an Eagle through his character, commitment, and service to others. His time at Totino-Grace was marked by meaningful relationships with classmates, teachers, coaches, and teammates, along with memories that included Senior Sunset, the Halloween football game against Anoka, the basketball trip to the Corn Palace, and winning the boys basketball state championship.

RJ recently graduated from the University of Minnesota with a double major in Biology and Communications. In addition to his work with Gophers men’s basketball, he remained active on campus and continued supporting young athletes as a trainer at Midwest Basketball Training.

Totino-Grace congratulates RJ on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates the way he continues to represent the Eagle community with humility, leadership, and joy.

Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.