Junior Philip Kafka knows how to seize an opportunity when one presents itself.
After spending last year at Occidental College, Kafka said he transferred to Northwestern this year purely for academic reasons. Then he decided to try out for the tennis team after talking with coach Arvid Swan. The junior took the opportunity to help a short-staffed team and has contributed as an intense practice player with a great attitude.
"In January we were looking at some help and some depth for the team," Swan said. "(He's) got a lot of leadership qualities. He's extremely well liked by the guys on our team: always a positive person. I mean, I don't think I've ever seen him in a bad mood."
Swan is not the only one who appreciates Kafka's work ethic and demeanor. Kafka's teammates also notice the effort he is putting forth
"I think he's brought a lot of positive spirit to the team," freshman Andrew McCarthy said. "He's fun to be around and he's real supportive of the team."
Though used mostly as a practice player, Kafka is undefeated in singles - a 6-3, 6-0 win against the University of Chicago on Jan. 13.
Kafka said he was an elite tennis player for his age group before high school, but he decided to pursue baseball, which he had also been playing since a young age, because it put less of an emphasis on the individual.
"(I played tennis) heavily: six hours a day, six days a week," Kafka said. "And I maybe got a little bit burned out. So I decided to play baseball, because it's a more relaxing sport."
He was a pitcher at Occidental, but after an elbow injury sidelined him, he said he wanted to focus on academics and attend a school that was "cold, where (he'd) never think about baseball."
After arriving in Evanston, Kafka decided to try out for the baseball team anyway, even though he had not played the entire summer. But he had lost velocity on his pitches because of the injury and the summer hiatus.
He then decided to play a little bit of tennis again. The junior said he considered playing for NU because he missed the team aspect of a sport.
2008 Woodie Awards
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Cheryl
posted 2/29/08 @ 2:59 PM CST
Wonderful article, Philip! Glad things are going so well for you, and for your team!
Hibah
posted 2/29/08 @ 4:25 PM CST
Yay Phil!
Wendy
posted 2/29/08 @ 11:43 PM CST
Great article....great guy! Love the headline. Would have loved to see a photo.
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