CENTER VALLEY, PA (Nov. 11, 2025) -- Tennis player, first-generation college student, father, husband, volunteer coach and Veteran are just some of the roles that senior Rey Salazar holds in the community and at DeSales University. Salazar has not had the traditional path to DeSales, but his journey has taught him, his teammates and his classmates countless lessons along the way.
Salazar was born in the Philippines and lived there until he was 15 years old, when his family moved to Los Angles, California. In high school, he took a class called life skills where he learned about the cost of college, among other things, and decided at that time that school was not the path for him.
"I thought of the military and then my friends asked me to go to the Navy recruiter with them. The recruiters are really good. They told me about the benefits, the travel opportunities and that I could become a naturalized American citizen, and that was my American dream. They let me talk to my parents and sign the papers. Then the date was set, I took my exams and did my medical then I was all set to go."
During his 13 years in the Navy, Salazar worked on a small wooden ship that was 224 feet long. He served as an engineman, similar to a diesel mechanic. In this position, he worked below deck, on everything that makes the ship run, including air conditioning, the engine, and power systems. Without this position, the Navy cannot operate.
Salazar rose through the ranks, quickly becoming chief, or senior enlisted personnel. His time in the Navy came to an end during Chief training. Salazar said he lost himself, which led to a medical retirement from the Navy.
After he left the Navy, Salazar was scrolling on LinkedIn and saw an opportunity in the Lehigh Valley area. Knowing that his sister-in-law just moved there, he applied for the position and got it. After being at the job for a short time, he decided it was not the path for him and started reaching out for other opportunities, including college, which brought him to Wendy Badman and DeSales University.
Badman serves as the Director of Veterans and Military Services at DeSales and was able to inform Salazar about the university's credit transfer program, connect him with organizations that offer scholarships for veterans, and share more about the support DeSales provides to Veterans and their families.
Before finding his call in psychology, Salazar started as a computer science major. After working with people throughout his career, he thought he needed a change. But just a few semesters in, he realized he might be better suited for psychology.
"I thought hard about it, and counseling, mentoring, and having connections with people is where I shine and where I am happiest. It just comes naturally. After thinking about it, I realized psychology is the way to go. Now it is like all my classes are helping me heal. It is all like group therapy"
Salazar is also able to share his life experience with his classmates to make them better students. Being a father, husband and Veteran has given him real-life experiences that help all his classmates learn more about the people they may work with outside of college. The classroom isn't the only place where Salazar is able to share his life experiences; he also does it on the court.
DeSales was not Salazar's first introduction to tennis, when he was growing up, his father and brother would play, but it was never something he really took a large interest in. When he was in the Navy, he had a friend who wanted to learn how to play, and since Salazar knew a little bit about the sport, he was able to teach his friend how to play.
"One day at the Veterans and Military Service Center, a friend asked if I wanted to join tennis, so I thought I would give it a shot. It got me back in shape and connected me with more people, especially the younger generations. I tried out, the coach liked me, I liked them, and I have been with them for over a year now"
Since joining the team, Salazar has made an impact. In the 2024 spring season, he competed in two singles matches and two doubles matches with teammate Frank Boffa.
"Rey brings energy and enthusiasm to Bulldogs tennis, it's infectious. He sets such a good example; you just can't help but want to follow his lead. Whether it's during team practices, individual sessions or matches, he works to improve himself and those around him. When he's not on the court competing, he's vocally supporting his teammates. We are a better program with Rey on our roster, both on and off the court." stated head coach Rick Farris on Salazar's involvement on the team.
Salazar is also a volunteer coach for a girls volleyball team, and he shares the same values with his volleyball players that he does with his tennis teammates, the most important being attitude. He believes that with the proper attitude, anything is possible.
"With the right attitude you can conquer anything. It's the same thing as tennis, if I talk badly about myself then I'm going to perform badly. If I tell myself I can do it, then you're manifesting it. Even as a volunteer assistant coach with volleyball, I tell the girls that skills, talent, and ability are important but not the main thing. You don't want to work with someone who doesn't want to be there."
To him, sports and movement are a form of therapy, and Salazar's wife does all she can to support all his involvement. On top of being a part of the DeSales tennis team, playing volleyball and volunteering as an assistant coach, Salazar is also president of the Student Veterans Association at DeSales.
In 2024, Salazar decided he wanted to be more involved at DeSales and went to see what he could do to help Badman at the Veterans and Military Service Center. Badman made Salazar a work-study student and then told him he would be president of the Student Veterans Association (SVA). This brought the organization back to DeSales, and it allows Veterans to connect with other veterans, military families and future service members.
"The Cadets, they are the future. It doesn't matter if they are going to reserve or active duty; they are going to be the future of the military. We're really trying to be there for the Cadets."
The SVA and the support center located on DeSales' campus work to make events and opportunities for Veterans to talk and answer questions that Cadets may have. Having Veterans with such diverse backgrounds allows the Cadets to ask both general military questions and more specific ones every Friday during drop-in office hours. Salazar also shared how much communication happens between Veterans and the Cadets outside of these more formal encounters.
"Just easy communication, there's no reason to be all formal about it. We're all just students here let's help each other out"
Looking back at where he's has been and where he is now, Salazar truly believes everything happens for a reason.
"If I didn't join the Navy, what would my life be like? There are a lot of what-ifs but you have to focus on the now, the present. All those things, the good and the bad happened for a reason. You become stronger, and wiser. It makes you look back and humbles you. It makes you feel more grateful to celebrate life every day."
