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 role models for current and future VU students and student-athletes.
March 2008
David Macias - Baseball
Senior, Major: Sociology
Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
 I chose to attend Vanderbilt because when I came on my visit, I really enjoyed it. I loved the school, campus, city of Nashville, and the baseball coaching staff. After meeting with Coach Corbin, I wanted to be a part of the tradition he was starting as a head coach and I felt his goals best represented how I felt.
What are your career goals?
My career goal is to be drafted in the Major League Baseball draft and play professional baseball as long as possible. I will graduate in May with a degree in Sociology, so I am also hoping to put that togood use. After my playing days are over, I would like to stay at a high level of baseball. I am bilingual, so maybe something on the administrative side or coaching may be a good option for me.
What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
The key to being academically successful at Vanderbilt is time management. Playing a sport, along with competing at a top academic institution, is tough. With all the time we commit to our sport, it is hard to find time to study. I often have to sacrifice my time with my friends to study and get my work done. But in the end, it is absolutely worth it.
How do you manage your demanding schedule?
With lots of help. I am not afraid to ask for help from my Academic Counselor or professors and I look at my planner daily. I write all of the dates of my semester assignments in my planner and each day, write in my homework assignments.
What is your ritual before taking a test?
In Cognitive Psychology, I learned of a theory which suggests you do the same thing while you study for a test that you will do while you take the test. Therefore, I try to study in the same way I would take the test and drink the same beverage while taking a test that I drank while I was studying.
What is your favorite quote?
“Life’s a garden. Dig It.” --Joe Dirt
Why David is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
David Macias is a wonderful all-around individual. He is a loyal, caring, and honest friend, a hard-working, dedicated, and conscientious student, and a talented, ambitious, and fearless athlete. David gives it his all in every aspect of his life. Whether he is on the field, riding his bike, studying, doing flips, or hanging out with his teammates and friends, his energetic, competitive, and friendly personality shines through. David is likeable to all who meet him and he is a fantastic ambassador for Vanderbilt University and the Nashville community. David will graduate this May with a degree in Sociology, after four years of hard work. I could not be more proud of him! --Katie Feyes
Ross Neltner - Men's Basketball
Senior, Major: Economics
Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
 After leaving LSU, I knew Vanderbilt would be a great fit for me both academically and athletically. Being able to continue competing in the SEC as well as receiving a top notch education was very important to me.
Vanderbilt offers both and I feel fortunate to have these opportunities.
What are your career goals?
I would like to continue playing basketball after I graduate for as long as possible and then either get into coaching or use my Economics degree in the business world. However, those decisions will come in the future and right now I am focused on graduating in May and having a great senior basketball season.
What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
You have to work hard and be thoroughly interested in your choice of study to be academically successful. If you are lazy and uninterested in your major, studying and preparing for classes is a tough task.
How do you manage your demanding schedule?
Time management is key. With the hectic athletic schedules that all teams have, you must budget your time correctly in order to succeed both on and off the court.
What is your ritual before taking a test?
Sleep. If you go to class and spend enough time studying in the weeks leading up to the test, you will know the material well enough to get a good grade. Skipping classes and not studying until the night before an exam is a recipe for disaster because it's hard to be a good test taker when you are sleep deprived.
Why Ross is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Ross Neltner consistently demonstrates his leadership skills both as a student and as an athlete. In the classroom, Ross has always maintained a cumulative grade point average over 3.0, and is a SEC Academic Honor Roll Award recipient each year since coming to Vanderbilt. For his hard work in the classroom, Ross’s nomination for the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Award was approved by the Student Athletics Administration Team. He is also an active representative and member of the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC). In athletics, Ross is a positive influence and a valuable member of the Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball Program. He is a two-year starter and was voted as a Team Captain for the 2007-2008 basketball season. Many times in life, it is people like Ross Neltner whose talents and achievements often get overlooked. However, it is without question that Ross’s accomplishments are worth recognizing as our Student-Athlete of the Month for March 2008. --Neal Clark
Past Recipients...
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005
Academic Support for Student-Athletes | Vanderbilt University
Department of Student Athletics | 2601 Jess Neely Drive | Nashville, TN 37212
Phone (615) 343-0444 |
