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Student-Athletes of the Month*The Student-Athletes of the Month are selected on the basis of the all-around student-athlete...effort and excellence in academics, leadership, integrity, dedication to team, campus involvement, community service, and the ability to serve as a role model for current and future VU students and student-athletes. April 2007
Derrick Byars - Men's BasketballSenior, Major: Sociology Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
What are your career goals? To play professional basketball, and to become the Mayor of Memphis. What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt? It takes loads of preparation time, persistence, a positive attitude, good time management, and the will to utilize every academic resource available. How do you manage your demanding schedule? I manage my demanding schedule through prayer, a positive attitude, and the will to go the extra mile to get things done. What is your ritual before taking a test? My pretest ritual is prayer. What is your favorite quote? "Nothing comes to a sleeping man, but dreams."
Why Derrick is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . . I nominated Derrick Byars for his well deserved success both in the classroom and on the basketball court. Academically, he has made tremendous strides as a student-athlete since transferring to Vanderbilt. This is particularly due to his hard work and determination. Derrick is known as an intense, serious, and focused person who has an outstanding work ethic. Because Derrick often schedules extra tutor sessions and meets regularly with his professors, he experiences success in the classroom. In basketball, his accomplishments are second to none. He is a First Team All SEC selection, voted by the league coaches as the SEC Player of the Year, nominated for the Wooden Award, and a Rivial.com Second Team All-American selection. I am very proud of Derrick’s nomination as student-athlete of the month. It is my belief that the success he is experiencing as a senior is only the beginning of what is to come after graduation. --Neal Clark
Brooke Shinaberry - LacrosseSenior, Majors: Human and Organizational Development, Anthropology Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
What are your career goals? Ultimately, I want to be involved with an international organization that is involved with the development of third world countries. After spending three months in East Africa volunteering at an orphanage and a women’s group, I discovered my passion in providing relief, aid, and development to East Africa. I am attending Vanderbilt University for Grad School in International Education Policy and Management with the hope of returning overseas long-term as a missionary or with an organization. What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt? Vanderbilt is a very tough institution academically that challenges its students intellectually. I have found that it requires a lot of hard work on the student’s part to want to succeed. I think the student needs to have a desire to want to learn. For me, once I began to take classes in my majors, I really found that I wanted to learn because it was interesting. Ultimately, you have to believe that you will succeed and do everything that you can to achieve that. How do you manage your demanding schedule? I would not be able to get by without my planner. That is where I keep all my assignments, practice, meetings, games, extra-curricular, and volunteer placements that I am involved with. Without it, I would be lost!!! What is your ritual before taking a test? I like to get up around 6 am the morning of the test to review my notes and such. Before I take the test I always say a little prayer! What is your favorite quote? I have always loved Proverbs 3:4-5 and it is what helps me get through my days. But since my return from Africa, I heard this and it’s a constant reminder of my time there and my dreams of going back..."The African disease is not malaria, hunger, or AIDS, but it is the disease of the heart, and you will never get rid of it. And whether or not you ever go back, you will yearn for Africa, you will cry for Africa, you will pray for Africa." -Anonymous
Why Brooke is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . . Brooke Shinaberry has displayed a high degree of integrity, responsibility, perseverance, and ambition in all her endeavors. Academically, she is a double major in Human and Organizational Development and Anthropology and has recently been accepted to Peabody’s International Education Policy and Management graduate program. Athletically, she is the starting goalkeeper and the backbone for the twelfth ranked Commodores. Socially, she is actively involved within the community and it is evident that helping others is an area she is most passionate about. Brooke balances her academics, athletics, and social life despite having to overcome adversity throughout most of her collegiate career. She is without a doubt a leader, demonstrated by her continuous hard work and dedication, and is well deserving of Student Athlete of the Month Honors. --Shawn Fagan
Past Recipients...
January 2005
Academic Support for Student-Athletes | Vanderbilt University
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Because it provided me with the opportunity to compete in a highly reputable curriculum and also compete in a top-tier basketball conference.
The first time that I walked on Vanderbilt’s campus, I just knew that this was where I wanted to spend my college career. I really wanted to attend an institution that would challenge me intellectually as well as allow me to compete in a Top 20 Division I lacrosse program. The team, coaches, and staff were incredible and I really felt that the team was a close knit family and I wanted to be a part of it.