As the semester winds down, it’s the perfect time to shine a spotlight on one of The Acorn’s own: Devan Sutaria (‘26).
Sutaria embodies what it means to be a student-athlete with his dedication, drive and perseverance. Whether on the tennis court, in The Acorn office or through his involvement in campus organizations, he demonstrates a commitment to excellence that inspires those around him.
As the current Sports section editor for The Acorn, Sutaria has played an instrumental role in expanding coverage of Drew Athletics. His passion for athletics is displayed through his dedication to making athletics accessible to all members of the Drew community.
Sutaria’s own athletic journey at Drew is a story of resilience and adaptability. Originally a pitcher for the baseball team, he faced a major setback when an elbow injury caused him to have to reconsider his athletic future.
Refusing to let adversity define him, Sutaria pivoted with determination. After spending a summer playing tennis recreationally, he sharpened his skills and earned a spot on Drew’s men’s tennis roster.
This transition not only illustrates his athletic versatility but also his unwavering commitment to staying active within the Drew sports community. When asked about his most memorable moments as a Ranger, he discussed being part of the historic baseball team that broke Drew’s existing win streak record and this year’s tennis team that successfully made the playoffs.
Beyond athletics, Sutaria’s list of accomplishments is extensive as a Baldwin Honors Scholar, pursuing a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology with a minor in business.
Notably, his academic journey has been shaped by standout courses like Biochemistry and Cell and Molecular Biology—classes he credits for sparking his passion for science and confirming his commitment to a future career in medicine.
His professional development speaks volumes as well: Sutaria has worked as a medical scribe at a local hospital, participated twice in Drew’s Summer Science Institute and completed the Overlook Summer Internship Program, where he shadowed a different physician specialty every day for a month, all while being an athlete and maintaining Dean’s list.
Moreover, his leadership extends globally. Sutaria holds a leadership role in Drew’s chapter of the Global Medical Brigades, with whom he has successfully organized two medical trips to Panama, raising over $50,000 and delivering care to more than 200 patients. He plans to return in the next month. The leadership skills he has gained from athletics, the passion for the sciences and his kind personality converge to make these trips successful and impactful in the Drew community.
When reflecting on the most valuable lessons learned from being a student-athlete, Sutaria highlights more than just time management. Sutaria said, “I think the greatest value of being a student-athlete is learning how to balance two sectors of my life that I am extremely passionate about, and channel that passion into the right place at the right time. Learning that mindset through sports and education helped me grow in each.” This skill has fueled his successes not only on campus but also in research, service and leadership.
Through it all, Sutaria’s gratitude for the Drew community shines through. “I am so thankful for the community at Drew that is always working to support and uplift those around them,” he shared.
His drive to succeed in all facets of his Drew experience makes Sutaria a true example of what it means to be a Ranger. Through hard work, resilience and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Devan Sutaria stands as a leader, role model and a shining example of the very best Drew University has to offer.
If you would like to nominate another student-athlete to be featured in next semester’s issues, please send their name to theacorn+sports@drew.edu.
Gillian Sampson is a graduate student in the Masters of Education program.
