AOTW: Courtney Murphy, senior tennis player

The Beacon: Male Athlete of the Week Oct. 15 – Oct. 21 Why Courtney Murphy was selected: Murphy was named the MAC Freedom Player of the Week after taking home No. 1 singles and doubles titles inthe MAC Men’s Individual Tennis Championship.

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Nicole Gaetani

Senior tennis player Courtney Murphy

Name: Courtney Murphy

Year: Senior

Major: Finance

Hometown: Bronx, NY

High School: Christopher Columbus HS

Driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes?

The strong tennis team, unique business school and small population.

Post-graduation plans in terms of a career?

I plan on entering the finance world and working full time, probably selling insurance. I would ultimately like to become a financial advisor.

Favorite building on campus?

UCOM.

Hopes for this season as a Colonel?

To play at my highest level possible and ultimately try to make it to the team and individual national tournament at the end of the season.

When/Why did you first begin playing?

Playing tennis was all just by random chance. I was seven at the time that a good friend of my mother’s told her to enroll me in an inexpensive tennis program. I started playing and loved it from the beginning.

Favorite thing to do during practice?

Playing points with consequences for the loser because it adds pressure to the points.

If you had to choose one thing about your program that you could improve, what would it be?

If I could improve one thing, it would be adding our very own indoor tennis facility. Yes, that’s a big improvement, but it would allow for more practice time, hosting more matches and making backup emergency contingency plans easier. But, like I said, it’s a big improvement.

Favorite Professor?

Dr. Wang. He shows such a deep concern with bringing the best out in  each student.

Coke or Pepsi?

Pepsi. The taste and the commercials on TV as a kid were more memorable.

Most influential person in your life?

It is not just one person, but all of my old tennis coaches from my junior program. They gave me a taste of life and put me on a path for betterment.

A quote you live your life by?

“Proper preparation prevents poor performance.”

I live by this because you can apply it to anything you do in life. School, sports and anything that you need to perform well in requires the necessary preparation.

If you could have dinner with a famous person from the past, who would it be?

I would have dinner with Roger Federer because he’s my favorite tennis player, but he’s also a great humanitarian and philanthropist. There’s so much to learn from him.

Anyone to give a shout-out to?

I would give a huge shout-out to my mom because she’s been there since day one and has had my back through everything. She would do anything to make my dreams become a reality and I can’t thank her enough.

-Compiled by Kirsten Peters, Co-Sports Editor