May- Vanderbilt 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.

May 2005

Kate Hickman - Lacrosse

Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
Vanderbilt offers everything I wanted from a univeristy. It is academically challenging while not too individually competitive which some of the Ivy League schools have become. In terms of athletics, I felt Vanderbilt respects the life of a student-athlete while not paving the way for them. I think it's important that a school understands the demands of an athlete while also pushing and challenging them. Specifically with lacrosse, the program and coaches were also just what I was looking for. I wanted to be involved in a growing program - not one that was already established as a legacy that consists of a bunch of individual all-stars. I wanted to be a part of a true team that was going to break expectations and I wanted coaches that pushed the team to do that. That is just what happened last year with the Final Four and will continue to happen as this program rises.

What are your career goals?
There are a bunch of options and interests that I have to take into account when considering my career. When it comes down to it, I want to be involved in something I really love which sounds obvious, but I think many people forget when they see the amount of zeroes at the end of their paycheck. I am specifically interested in working in the advertisement industry for athletic products, which combines my interest in art with athletics. Community relations in general is something I am passionate about and I will be able to explore that this summer with my internship with the Tennessee Titans in their Community Relations Department.

What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
Aside from an obvious level of competence I think every Vanderbilt student already has, there is a certain amount of drive and motivation that you need to really succeed. Commitment to what you are doing in any field gives you one step ahead. It also helps to take courses that interest you which will naturally give you motivation to excel. Otherwise you are left uninterested and bored with what you are learning.

How do you manage your demanding schedule?
Time management is something I have had to master since I was in high school. There was never a time of year that I was not playing a sport. In the fall it was soccer, winter was track, and spring was lacrosse. There comes a point where you just have to be aware of your work load, the time you need to finish it, and what you will need to do to get there. It comes down to prioritizing your time. At the same time, I think social life is important and if you completely void your college experience of that, you will be missing out on a huge chapter. In the end, you have to manage your time so you are able to get your work done in time and reward yourself with social time. There definitely is the possiblity for both.

What is your ritual before taking a test?
Haha, I don't really have a "ritual". I have never been a "mental" test taker - if you can really describe someone as that. In other words, I generally just go in there and do what I need to do. I think the more you worry over it, you just build tension that distracts you from what you are trying to retain in the first place. It's like any other sporting event - if you prepare enough before hand, you shouldn't be nervous walking into the game. Thinking too much is sometimes a downfall. I generally spread out my studying so I do not have to do too much at once so, by the time the test comes, I feel prepared and confident.

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole
staircase, just take the first step." -Martin Luther King Jr.

Why Kate is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Kate is a leader both on and off the field. She is one of our tri-captains for the lacrosse program while being extremely competitive in the classroom. She is a shining example of what it is to be a student-athlete here at Vanderbilt; someone the younger students can admire both academically and athletically. --Wes Maas

Jensen Lewis - Baseball

Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
Obviously, Vanderbilt is one of the most renowned institutions in the country and I loved the campus as well as the facilities. I really enjoyed my visit and really liked pitching coach Derek Johnson, his philosophy, and the chance to compete in the SEC as a freshman.

I have always dreamed of playing Major League Baseball and I feel playing at Vandy is a fantastic stepping stone in getting there. Every day, I feel like I made the right choice in coming to school and knowing that 3 years of experience and working with Coach Johnson would help propel me into the fast track to the Majors.

Discipline and Time Management. Playing baseball at Vanderbilt and having a full schedule is probably one of (if not the most) difficult responsibilities in the country. Because we do not have any free time, you've gotta make the most of your day and realize that priorities are a must. Being able to get a lot done in a short amount of time goes a long way because of such a high demand not only academically but athletically.

A lot of sleepless nights. I probably only get 5-6 hours of sleep just because of not being able to start homework til around 8 or 9 at night. Reading really kills me because it takes a lot of energy to do it, but you are so tired after practice that it's tough to get enough energy to want to do your work. But you just know that you've got to get it done no matter what. Sometimes it's harder than others.

Well, most people study. I like that ritual. It just depends on the test. I am sometimes susceptible to procrastinating. Usually, I try and get a good night's rest and read over all my notes before I go to sleep so I can remember it for the morning.

Why Jensen is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Jensen is a talented student and a tremendous athlete. Amongst his peers, he is a leader who demonstrates great dedication, integrity, and determination. He is a remarkable person who will take his abilities far and will be extremely successful at anything he chooses to accomplish. Jensen is an outstanding role model for current and future Vanderbilt students and student-athletes, as well as the community at-large. --Katie Feyes

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