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.
October 2007
Alex Feinberg - Baseball
Senior, Major: Economics
Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
 I chose Vanderbilt because of the combination of team chemistry I anticipated as well as the highly regarded education.
What are your career goals?
I will start and run a Fortune 500 company.
What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
It takes intelligence and hard work.
How do you manage your demanding schedule?
I try to enjoy everything that I do and keep the big picture in mind. I have to understand that many things that I do are means and are not ends. It helps me put less pressure on myself.
What is your ritual before taking a test?
I try to learn the concepts as well as I can, and not put too much pressure on myself.
What is your favorite quote?
"Don't believe the hype." -Flavor Flav
Why Alex is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
Alex Feinberg is a remarkable individual. He is very focused, driven, dedicated, hard-working, and consistent. Every day, Alex applies these traits to his education, baseball, and life. Alex is a self-starter who aspires to be an entrepreneur. This past summer, Alex used his education and personal skills to create Saturday Soldier battle bands. The term, Saturday Soldier, is derived from the combination of college football “soldiers” who take the field each Saturday and the “soldiers” who are fighting for our country. Alex created arm bands, in various college team colors, which are currently being worn by many college football teams and fans. The proceeds earned from the selling of these Saturday Soldier battle bands are then donated to charities which assist the families of soldiers killed in Iraq. (Further information on these battle bands can be found on the website www.saturdaysoldier.com .) As a college student-athlete who has created his own successful product, Alex is mature beyond his years. I have no doubt he will be a very happy and successful individual. The sky is the limit for Alex. --Katie Feyes
Davis Nwankwo - Men's Basketball
Senior, Major: Engineering Science
Why did you choose to attend Vanderbilt?
 I chose to attend Vanderbilt because it provides the best combination of athletics and academics. It’s a top 20 university in the country regarding education and it participates in the SEC, the best conference in the country regarding sports. Also on the plus side, the location of the university is right near downtown Nashville, meaning there are many things to do in terms of social life.
And most importantly of all, I chose to attend Vanderbilt because everyone treated me with such hospitality on my visit.
What are your career goals?
-earn an MBA from Owen School of Business
-play basketball again
-develop my own business/entrepreneurship
-provide for my parents and closest friends
What does it take to be academically successful at Vanderbilt?
In order to be academically successful at Vanderbilt, you must be extremely organized and possess a good work ethic when it comes to completing homework assignments and performing well on tests. Also students should not be afraid to go to the professor for help when there’s misunderstanding with the material.
How do you manage your demanding schedule?
I manage my demanding schedule by separating work time from “fun time.” I usually am doing school-related work, such as reading material, practicing basketball and finishing homework, from Sunday to Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, I relax my mind by watching movies and occasionally going out with friends.
What is your ritual before taking a test?
I really have no ritual, but as far as preparing for a test, I usually study on the last two days before a test all night long. Then on the day of the test, I review the material in the morning.
What are your favorite quotes?
“Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.” -Muhammad Ali
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” -Muhammad Ali
Why Davis is a Student-Athlete of the Month . . .
I nominated Davis for the steady progress he has made since his first semester here at Vanderbilt. Davis has shown tremendous perseverance and determination by overcoming a life threatening situation. Since that incident, I have seen him mature beyond his years. He is very committed to his academic responsibilities and even though he is unable to participate in intercollegiate athletics at this time, he remains dedicated to the Men's Basketball Program as a Student Coach. He is well respected by his peers as a person of integrity, and one who has the inner strength to overcome adversity. He is a great example of how a person can benefit from hard work. Indeed, Davis is deserving of this recognition, and I am excited that he is nominated as our student athlete of the month. Congratulations Davis! --Neal Clark
Past Recipients...
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 |
