July 2005 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.

July 2005

Chris Brady - Women's Golf

Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
I chose to attend Vanderbilt because I really liked the city of Nashville, wanted to study Engineering, and be a part of a successful golf team.

What are your career goals?
My career goals include either playing professional golf or working as an engineer on projects to better our society. I also want to get my Masters in business administration.

What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
It takes a lot of commitment and sacrifice to be academically successful at Vanderbilt. Being dedicated to school work on the road and prioritizing it so that you can be academically eligible is important in order to be able to play your sport when the season comes around. Also, taking the time to study and turning in all of your homework lets your teachers know that you are willing to put in the effort and care about their class.

How do you manage your demanding schedule?
To manage my demanding schedule I plan my days so every ounce of extra time is spent to make my life easier. If I have 30 minutes of extra time, I'll work on some homework or go for a run. Also, tutors make my life a whole lot easier.

What is your ritual before taking a test?
Going to Starbucks and a saying a little prayer.

Why Chris is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Chris Brady is an excellent example of what it means to be a well rounded student-athlete at Vanderbilt University. Her hard work and determination are apparent in everything she puts her mind to. Chris has consistently excelled on both the golf course and in the classroom, while maintaining a healthy social life. She has been an outstanding role model to a team of four freshmen and is a natural leader. Chris is in the Stratton Foster Academic Center on a consistent basis doing work or meeting with tutors. She works hard to balance the pressures of achieving in a difficult Civil Engineering major and on the golf course. More importantly, Chris is a great person who is always looking for ways to help others. --Mollie Busam

Kyle Morrison - Men's Cross Country

Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
Vanderbilt is actually not the first college I attended. I started out at the University of Texas, which has many great qualities, but also has the second largest student population in the nation. This made me realize the benefits of the tightly-knit academic community offered here at Vanderbilt, benefits such as in student-professor relations, campus interaction, and academic integrity.
These were all important to my ideal university experience.

As of now, my main career goal is to figure out my career goals. I have explored a broad range of classes and tried to leave my future open to several interests, but I plan to explore even more when I graduate. This may even involve more school.

Although it may not require this, academic success is certainly easier to attain with an enjoyment or at least a genuine interest in the material studied, both of which give the student more of a reason to be academically successful.

As I have said, I try to pick classes that interest me to accompany the ones that I believe (or that the CPLE mandates) are necessary. In this way, the schedule seems less demanding that it is rewarding.

Why Kyle is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Kyle has been an outstanding addition to the men’s Cross Country team since transferring to Vanderbilt from the University of Texas in Fall 2003. On the track, his finish was the best on the team in several meets; in the classroom, he has been on the Dean’s list each of his four semesters at Vanderbilt. Kyle excelled in his spring semester in the Vanderbilt-in-Spain program, and continues his studies in Spain this summer. We are looking forward to his return to cross country this fall where I am certain that he will continue to be a leader as a student and athlete. And, it will be a pleasure to say that I was associated with him when he is at the top of whatever game he chooses when he enters the “world after Vanderbilt.” --Jamie Teasley

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