October 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.

October 2005

Amanda Mullins-Hall - Women's Track and Field

Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
I chose to attend Vanderbilt because I really liked the women on the track team and several members of the athletic administration. A lot of us are rather close; having them in my life has definitely attributed to my ‘success.’ Furthermore, the excellent academic opportunity and chance to compete in the SEC also played a major role in my decision.

What are your career goals?
Next year I would like to attend law school. I am interested in civil rights of some sort. Ultimately, I would like to help/advocate for women and children within the inner city.

What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
Everyone is different, so I can only think of how I managed to do okay up until this point. In my opinion, college is all about how much effort an individual is willing to put forth. I may not get things as quick as other individuals, but I work hard and do what it takes to be ‘successful’. This includes using tutors, going to office hours, and review sessions.

How do you manage your demanding schedule?
I have been an athlete all my life, so similar to other athletes; I am used to being busy. I tend to live by my planner. I write everything in the student planner. It is very important that I stay organized.

What is your ritual before taking a test?
Praying to God that I don’t fail. Actually I do not have a set ritual. Usually if I can verbally explain the material to another individual I feel most prepared.

Why Amanda is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
It is my pleasure to nominate Amanda Kate Mullins-Hall for the “Student Athlete of the Month.” I have watched her progress from her sophomore to her senior year and she has really become an outstanding student through her hard work. She was on the Dean’s List for fall of 2004, the 3.0 Club for spring of 2005 and on the SEC Academic Honor Roll for 2004 – 2005. She has also been a valuable leader on the women’s track & field team here at Vanderbilt. She did not compete during the outdoor season in 2005 due to an injury that she sustained during the indoor season of 2004. She still managed to provide support for her teammates who were competing while trying to rehab a severe hamstring injury. Amanda is majoring in HOD and has recently completed her internship this past summer. She has aspirations of attending law school and I think that one day she would make one heck of a Supreme Court Justice. --Max Martin

Brent Richards - Men's Soccer

I wanted the chance to play Division I soccer and go to a great academic school that I may not have otherwise been able to get into. Being a Texas kid, it was a plus to stay in the South!

Career! Wow, I guess it is time to start thinking about all that! I’m not sure long term, but I could certainly see myself running my own business at some point. For now, I’ve decided to go do the Wall Street Investment Banking thing before Business School in a few years.

Time management, hard work, and study habits. Especially as a student-athlete, time management is critical because we are essentially working two “jobs.” Freshman year, I was fortunate enough to figure out the study habits that work best for me and have been able to use those throughout my career. A little hard work goes a long way as well.

It depends on the week, but during very busy times, I will write down a schedule of what I need to get done for the day. The biggest issue is just making sure to prioritize tasks well and keep team members in the loop with any changing plans or conflicts.

Studying. That is about the only thing that I will do consistently before tests! I don’t have any particular superstitions. Some nights I get lots of sleep; others I get very little, but it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference either way.

Why Brent is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Brent Richard is an excellent role model for all student-athletes. He demonstrates leadership qualities in all areas of life. He is the President of SAAC, a captain on the men’s soccer team, and is consistently on the Dean’s list. His hard work, focus and dedication to his studies are great examples for others. I’ve enjoyed working with Brent and his commitment to a well rounded education is inspiring. --Mollie Busam

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