As a setter, often considered the on-court quarterback of volleyball, Roorbach naturally stepped into a major leadership role. But his impact extends well beyond the court. He has taken part in recruiting conversations, serves on the Athletic Director’s Advisory Group, and is also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). For Roorbach, these roles reflect the responsibility that comes with helping to launch a new program.
“If we want the program to grow, everyone has to invest in it,” he said.
One of the most important pieces of that investment has been team culture.
Long before their first official matches, Roorbach and his teammates began spending time together outside the gym, simply hanging out, getting to know each other, and creating the relationships that would eventually shape the team’s identity.
“It helped us build a strong foundation,” he said. “The chemistry is really good because we all connected early.”
That sense of connection has helped a group of athletes from different backgrounds come together as one team, something that’s especially important when a program is just getting off the ground.
The team’s development has also been shaped by Head Coach Josh Bigford, who understands firsthand what it takes to build a program. Bigford recently completed his own collegiate playing career and had experienced the process of launching a new program during his time at St. John Fisher. For Roorbach, that shared experience has made a difference.
“It’s great having someone who still plays and just finished their college career,” he said. “He has a lot of connections and understands what it’s like to start something new.”
According to Roorbach, Bigford’s guidance has been instrumental in developing the team’s skills and establishing the program’s identity.
While volleyball is a major part of Roorbach’s college experience, Hartwick itself has also left a strong impression. As a sport management major, he appreciates the close interaction with professors and the ability to engage deeply with his coursework. Smaller class sizes allow him to ask questions and fully absorb the material while also getting to know professors and peers on a personal level.
Two staff members in particular, Economics Professor Kristen Jones and Philanthropy and Engagement Officer Joe Ficano, have made a lasting impact on his academic journey.
“They’ve been great in every way possible,” Roorbach said. “It’s nice to have professors who are supportive and care about what you’re learning.”
Beyond the classroom, the volleyball team has given him something equally valuable: an immediate community.
“Everyone you interact with here…faculty, staff, teammates…is really kind,” he said. “You always have good interactions.”
Roorbach also holds a unique distinction within the program as he was Bigford’s first recruit, helping signify the beginning of Hartwick men’s volleyball.
He admits there was some uncertainty at the beginning. Building a roster from scratch always carries questions, but he trusted the process.
“I figured people would want to play,” he said. “Volleyball is fun and I believed they’d find players.”
Now that the team is established, Roorbach is focused on what comes next.
He also wants to improve his own performance and become one of the top setters in the country. But his ambitions extend far beyond individual success.
His biggest goal is to help establish Hartwick men’s volleyball as a respected program, one that future players will want to join and opponents will take seriously — an impact stretching beyond Oyaron Hill.
“We want to build the image and culture of the team,” he said. “We want people to respect the program.”
Long-term, Roorbach hopes to stay connected to athletics. After graduating, he plans to pursue a career in sports analytics, ideally remaining within a team environment where strategy, data and competition intersect.
For now, the focus remains on the present: building a program, brick by brick. It’s not about wins and losses. It’s about the steady progress the team makes, day after day.
