BOSTON, Mass. – The success of a team can stem from a multitude of entities that unite for a cause, but usually within that team dynamic is a leader that stands out above all. For the Emerson Men's Basketball Team that leader in the 2013-2014 season has come in the form of senior captain, Jon Goldberg, a transfer student from St. Lawrence in the 2012-2013 season. 

Goldberg joined the Lions last season where he jumped into have an immediate impact on the program, starting all 27 games for Emerson while ranking as the third highest scorer on the team and leading rebounder with 215 on the season. 

"He really rolled the dice with the decision to transfer to Emerson," stated Head Coach Jim O'Brien, "his commitment to this program has been second to none as he had to leave his original major of sports psychology at St. Lawrence and step into a new team and community here at Emerson, a decision which he has never waivered on."

"The decision to transfer to Emerson was a hard one but has turned out to be a great one, as I had great friends and professors at St. Lawrence, but something was missing", said Goldberg. "I wanted to experience the city feel of Boston and get a different college experience that seemed to fit perfectly with Emerson."

Coming into Emerson Goldberg left a sports psychology major to become a Communications major at Emerson, but saw the transition to be more seamless than initially thought. 

"While I was a sports psych major, my Communications major at Emerson and now having Coach O'Brien as a mentor has really been a huge impact on my life. I would love to pursue a career in coaching and Coach has a wealth of knowledge in not only the mentality of coaching on the court, but off as well. His impact on my life will resonate far after my time at Emerson, as he has taught me so much in that he is an incredible coach, but an even better man as well."

The senior captain wasn't alone in his choice to transfer to Emerson as he credits his parents for being supportive in his every step in the process. "A major component has also been my sister. She's my best friend and really made me see that the transfer was right for me and that she was always there for me to turn to."

"Wayne Lafley, my AAU coach for four years has been another source of support," continued Goldberg, "he pushed me extremely hard and helped me with the transition and has proved another mentor to me. In all, the decision to transfer to Emerson has been an incredible and I'm excited for my senior year here and the future that Emerson will help lead me to."

The Emerson Men's Basketball Team will hit the home hardwood this Saturday as they set to face NEWMAC foe, Babson at 3 p.m. in Boston at Emerson's Brown-Plofker Gym.