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.
November 2008
Alex Hilliard - Baseball
Junior, Major: Music Education
Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
 I chose Vanderbilt because of the competitive baseball program and the well respected Blair School of Music. I was also greatful that the music department and baseball program were willing to work out the confliction of both schedules.
What are your career goals?
My career goals are to play major league baseball and to become a college professor, after my time at Vanderbilt.
What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
It takes a lot of hard work and determination. A large majority of the time, an individual's perseverance is tested because students do not always get the "A" they are looking for. I have the mind frame of always looking forward to doing better on the next test and I think that is why I am so successful.
How do you manage your demanding schedule?
I am extremely organized and diligent when it comes to my work. I use every minute I can to study and take care of my academic responsibilities. I do have the occasional off night, but I still manage to stay on top of my assignments.
What is your ritual before taking a test?
To me, the most important thing about taking a test is making sure I am well rested and I have food in my stomach. I feel like I do much better without those factors being a concern.
What is your favorite quote?
"Abandon all hope those who enter here."
--Dante Alighieri
Why Alex is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Alex is a role-model student-athlete and a fantastic ambassador for Vanderbilt Student Athletics. He is the first individual to be enrolled in the prestigious Blair School of Music, while competing in a varsity sport. He is able to balance his time between these two very demanding programs and has excelled in both, earning SEC academic honors. Alex is a terrific tuba (as well as piano, baritone, trombone, clarinet, saxophone, and string bass) player and a rising star on the baseball field. He is a humble, caring, trustworthy, unselfish, and hard-working individual and I can only imagine the many successes Alex will achieve. His loyal and strong family upbringing will help Alex accomplish great things in the future. -Katie Feyes
Larry Simmons - Football
Senior, Major: Human and Organizational Development
Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
 I chose Vanderbilt because of the “Best of Both Worlds” approach; being able to get a great education while competing in the SEC.
What are your career goals?
I want to be able to work for myself, while establishing the alias “Lucrative Larry.”
What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
Understanding how the system works is a must. Every professor wants the same assignment differently. Find out what is it they want and go hard!
How do you manage your demanding schedule?
Time management, time management, time management! Understanding my priorities.
What is your ritual before taking a test?
I like to study the night before or the day of, just to perform under pressure and make it challenging for myself!
What are your favorite quotes?
“Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.” --Charles Mingus
“Teamwork makes the dreamwork.” --Anonymous
Why Larry is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Larry is one of the most interesting student-athletes I've had the pleasure of counseling. In his three and a half years at Vanderbilt, he has developed into an excellent student, achieving Dean's List last spring. He has also become involved in a number of entrepreneurial projects, and has appeared in films, all while playing on the Vanderbilt football team. I have no doubt that his intelligence, focus, ambition, energy, and creativity will propel him to success after college, and I look forward to keeping up with his fascinating endeavors over the years. -Elizabeth Wright
Past Recipients...
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
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 |
