January 2006 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.

January 2006

Kenny Schoeni - Men's Soccer

When I started looking at colleges, I knew that I wanted a small to medium-sized university with great academics where I could play high-level college soccer. I visited several colleges, and when I stayed overnight at Vanderbilt for a scholarship interview, I loved it. There was a great academic environment, a beautiful campus, and I met many interesting and engaging people during my visit. Additional draws to Vanderbilt were the mild winters, the relatively short drive home to Cincinnati, the social atmosphere, and the top-of-the-line athletic training facilities.

While I am unsure exactly what career field I will end up in, I hope to embark on a creative, socially conscious career in which I am able to make a large, positive impact. Next year, I plan to enroll in the Community Development Action master’s program at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College. Upon receiving my master’s I could pursue work as a consultant or as an advisor for a private firm, a governmental agency, or a non-governmental organization.

In order to be academically successful at Vanderbilt, it takes the discipline to budget your time and use it effectively. Personally, I like to devote long blocks of time where I can totally focus on one assignment at a time. During the soccer season, I find it especially productive when I can get some studying done while traveling; those nice nine-hour bus-rides to Springfield, Missouri can either be bonus work-time or time wasted.

I think it is important to maintain a balanced schedule. Practicing or working out every day balances out all the sitting around you do while going to class and studying. The best thing about managing my schedule is that I like doing almost everything in my routine: I love practicing and playing matches, I enjoy getting stronger and improving during off-season workouts, and I try to take classes that I am interested in and enjoy learning about. Also, two of the most important things, and two of my favorite things, are to eat well and to get enough sleep so that I have enough energy and rest to put 100% into everything I do.

Usually, I am up late the night before studying for a test. Still, on test day I like to get up a couple of hours before my test so that I can review some notes over breakfast and arrive to class with a couple minutes to spare.

Why Kenny is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Kenny Schoeni is an outstanding student-athlete. He demonstrates an ideal work ethic and sets high standards for himself in the classroom and on the field. Kenny is looking forward to graduating early and then continuing his education here at Vanderbilt. He has been a delight to work with and sets an excellent example for all student-athletes. --Mollie Busam

Caroline Williams - Women's Basketball

I knew it would be a great opportunity to recieve a degree from one of the top schools in the country while also playing basketball in one of the best conferences in the country.

I would love to stay in the sports field. My dream job is to be a sports anchor for ESPN, or I would enjoy sports management or marketing.

It definitely takes an ability to manage your time with your sport and academics. You must be committed and dedicated to spending time studying and preparing for class each night.

I try to keep ahead of schedule as much as possible, which usually means working on papers or assigments each night instead of waiting until the night before they are due to begin the work.

I usually just get to class a little bit earlier than usual to look over my notes one more time.

Why Caroline is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Caroline Williams could be nominated every month for student-athlete of the month. As a basketball player she has become one of the leading scorers on the team, but more importantly she is one of the top academic leaders on the team as well. There is no doubt that her work ethic has helped her reach high levels in all that she does. She realizes the importance of an education and will continue to achieve success. Caroline epitomizes the word student-athlete and is a model of what a STUDENT-athlete should be. --Christy Hogan

Past Recipients...

January 2005

Academic Support for Student-Athletes | Vanderbilt University
Department of Student Athletics | 2601 Jess Neely Drive | Nashville, TN 37212
Phone (615) 343-0444