Indiana University Athletics
Student-Athlete Spotlight: Katie Klyczek, Tennis
9/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Varsity Club
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Katie Klyczek is proud to be a Hoosier. The Indiana University Varsity Club had the opportunity to interview Klyczek, a senior on the women’s tennis team, to learn more about her and how grateful she is for the support of the IU Varsity Club.
Sport: Women’s Tennis
Major: Management
Hometown: Munster, IN
Q: What does it mean to you personally to wear the Cream & Crimson and represent Indiana University?
A: Wearing the Cream & Crimson reminds me that I am not only playing for myself, but I am playing for my team at Indiana University. It means that I am a part of something bigger than myself. The colors represent the unity of one team that shares the same passion, appreciation, and respect for Indiana University. I wear the Cream & Crimson with great pride because it represents so much more than just an organization.
Q: The motto for our sports program is “Spirit of Indiana: 24 Sports, One Team”. What does this motto mean to you?
A: Twenty-four sports, one team means that we are all Hoosiers. As Hoosiers, we tirelessly work together everyday to achieve more and win as a team, both athletically and academically. We all share the same passion to win for our school and we take pride in wearing the Cream & Crimson. By working together, we are able to make Indiana University a top competitor both athletically and academically. When we play our individual sports, we are not just playing for ourselves anymore, we are playing for each other, as Hoosiers. We support each other and want to see one another excel in athletics, academics, and life.
Q: As a scholarship athlete, some of the aid you receive comes from our Varsity Club donors. How do you benefit from the aid, and how do you feel about it?
A: Receiving an athletic scholarship has allowed me to continue my education and receive a degree from one of the most respected universities in the nation. The education I have received because of their generosity has given me a lifetime of opportunities to pursue a career even after my athletic career is over. Being a student-athlete, it is important to remember that being a “student” comes first. With the aid and support I receive as a student-athlete here at Indiana University, I am not just able to graduate with a degree, but I am able to graduate with honors, while continuing to play the sport I love. I am forever grateful for the Varsity Club donors who have made such a huge impact on my life.
Q: If you had a chance to meet the donors who provided the funding for your scholarship, what would you most want to say to them?
A: I would want to thank them for the incredibly generous opportunity to further my education, while pursuing my athletic career. I would want to share with them all the things I have been able to accomplish that I did not think was possible because of their generosity. The education I have received because of my scholarship has given me countless opportunities for my future and will have a lifelong effect on me. I cannot thank the donors enough for their support.
Q: After you graduate and leave the university, which of your IU experiences do you think will have had the most impact on your life and career? Why?
A: Out of all the experiences I’ve had at IU, being a part of Indiana Athletics has had and will continue to have the biggest impact on my life and career. Being a part of Indiana Athletics has taught me valuable life lessons that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. I’ve learned what it means to be a part of a team and what it is like to want to see my team succeed even more than myself. It is the people involved in Indiana Athletics that have had the greatest impact on my life. From the coaches, trainers, and my teammates to the academic advisors, I have grown so much because of their support. The athletic staff goes above and beyond to make sure that each student-athlete is successful, and they truly care about each individual. It is impossible to put into words how much everyone that is a part of Indiana Athletics has influenced me. Indiana Athletics has given me the opportunity to meet some of the greatest people in the world, and has created many lifelong friendships for me.
When you join the Varsity Club, you make opportunities possible for student-athletes like Katie. Make a gift online now to support student-athlete scholarships. Read more about Katie.
