Indiana University Athletics
Zac Brodney Makes The Most of College Experience
1/24/2020 12:52:00 PM | Men's Tennis
By Jared Rigdon
When Zac Brodney was deciding where he wanted to go to college, he just knew he wanted a true college experience in a power five conference.
He grew up in the fast paced city of Los Angeles while playing constant tournaments on the competitive USTA Junior Circuit and balancing his school work. It was a busy world to grow up in but it prepared him to take both his athletics and academics to the next level.
Brodney committed to IU in high school, giving him a chance to experience the college lifestyle he wanted. He went from the fast moving life of Los Angeles to the slow-paced, laid back lifestyle of Bloomington.
It's a decision he felt that's set him up best for success in life after tennis.
"I wanted the college experience and I definitely felt like I've gotten that here," Brodney said. "I wanted to see other parts of the country and live in a place with actual seasons. I've gotten all that at IU and I don't regret it at all."
Since Brodney got to IU, he's achieved nothing but success. As a freshman he went 9-4 in dual singles matches including three wins at the No. 4 and No. 5 spots in the lineup. His sophomore season saw him go 17-7 in dual matches including 8-3 in conference.
To follow that up as a junior, he went 6-2 in conference play. Still, he realizes the importance he brings to the team at the No. 1 doubles spot and the No. 2 singles spot. He and fellow senior Bennett Crane are seeing the best competition the opposition can throw at him.
That makes preparation so much crucial as he embarks on his senior campaign.
"It's just going out there and enjoying it," Brodney said. "I haven't lost the joy of the game which makes it easier to go out there and enjoy the process of getting better. Going into every season with a fresh, open mind ready to learn from coaches and teammates has made all the difference."
If Brodney has thrived on the court, it's even more possible that he's been more successful in the classroom. He helped carry the Men's Tennis team to the Herbert Cup, awarded to the team with the highest GPA in a semester.
Brodney is majoring in Finance and Sustainability. Just in college, he's interned as a clerk for a Federal Judge in Los Angeles as well as a recycling company doing Financial Analysis.
He realizes that life after tennis can be tough but he feels as though he's set himself up well for a solid career after graduation.
"The Kelley School of Business was another one of the reasons I came to IU," Brodney said. "It's ranked really high and there are a lot of great programs there. I'm a big believer in sustainability and environmental protection moving forward and I think the more we get that in business, that's where the industry is going."
There are just ten players on this team, significantly smaller than most other athletic teams. With each point in the lineup so crucial to the team's success, they use their connection to their advantage.
"We're a lot closer than probably a lot of other teams are," Brodney said. "You get to know everyone on a personal level and it makes the matches more fun."
IU's been on the verge of getting back to the NCAA Tournament the past couple of years. With four seniors in the lineup, it's one of the deepest teams that IU has had in recent memory.
Brodney believes this could be the year they could make the tournament behind a strong non-conference lineup and a deep and talented roster.
"That's our goal," Brodney said. "When we came in freshman year, we wanted to make the NCAA Tournament in the four years we were here. I think this is the most talented and closest group we've had in terms of on court and off court chemistry. I think if it's going to happen, it's going to happen this year and we're excited about it."
As he winds down his college career, Brodney has no regrets on how things have unfolded.
From his impressive record on the court to his achievements in the classroom, Brodney has done it all. He's got just one more goal to complete.
"I've maxed out everything I wanted to get out of college and I've gotten a whole new perspective on life in general, coming to a new part of the country," Brodney said. "The people I've met, I wouldn't trade it for the world"
When Zac Brodney was deciding where he wanted to go to college, he just knew he wanted a true college experience in a power five conference.
He grew up in the fast paced city of Los Angeles while playing constant tournaments on the competitive USTA Junior Circuit and balancing his school work. It was a busy world to grow up in but it prepared him to take both his athletics and academics to the next level.
Brodney committed to IU in high school, giving him a chance to experience the college lifestyle he wanted. He went from the fast moving life of Los Angeles to the slow-paced, laid back lifestyle of Bloomington.
It's a decision he felt that's set him up best for success in life after tennis.
"I wanted the college experience and I definitely felt like I've gotten that here," Brodney said. "I wanted to see other parts of the country and live in a place with actual seasons. I've gotten all that at IU and I don't regret it at all."
Since Brodney got to IU, he's achieved nothing but success. As a freshman he went 9-4 in dual singles matches including three wins at the No. 4 and No. 5 spots in the lineup. His sophomore season saw him go 17-7 in dual matches including 8-3 in conference.
To follow that up as a junior, he went 6-2 in conference play. Still, he realizes the importance he brings to the team at the No. 1 doubles spot and the No. 2 singles spot. He and fellow senior Bennett Crane are seeing the best competition the opposition can throw at him.
That makes preparation so much crucial as he embarks on his senior campaign.
"It's just going out there and enjoying it," Brodney said. "I haven't lost the joy of the game which makes it easier to go out there and enjoy the process of getting better. Going into every season with a fresh, open mind ready to learn from coaches and teammates has made all the difference."
If Brodney has thrived on the court, it's even more possible that he's been more successful in the classroom. He helped carry the Men's Tennis team to the Herbert Cup, awarded to the team with the highest GPA in a semester.
Brodney is majoring in Finance and Sustainability. Just in college, he's interned as a clerk for a Federal Judge in Los Angeles as well as a recycling company doing Financial Analysis.
He realizes that life after tennis can be tough but he feels as though he's set himself up well for a solid career after graduation.
"The Kelley School of Business was another one of the reasons I came to IU," Brodney said. "It's ranked really high and there are a lot of great programs there. I'm a big believer in sustainability and environmental protection moving forward and I think the more we get that in business, that's where the industry is going."
There are just ten players on this team, significantly smaller than most other athletic teams. With each point in the lineup so crucial to the team's success, they use their connection to their advantage.
"We're a lot closer than probably a lot of other teams are," Brodney said. "You get to know everyone on a personal level and it makes the matches more fun."
IU's been on the verge of getting back to the NCAA Tournament the past couple of years. With four seniors in the lineup, it's one of the deepest teams that IU has had in recent memory.
Brodney believes this could be the year they could make the tournament behind a strong non-conference lineup and a deep and talented roster.
"That's our goal," Brodney said. "When we came in freshman year, we wanted to make the NCAA Tournament in the four years we were here. I think this is the most talented and closest group we've had in terms of on court and off court chemistry. I think if it's going to happen, it's going to happen this year and we're excited about it."
As he winds down his college career, Brodney has no regrets on how things have unfolded.
From his impressive record on the court to his achievements in the classroom, Brodney has done it all. He's got just one more goal to complete.
"I've maxed out everything I wanted to get out of college and I've gotten a whole new perspective on life in general, coming to a new part of the country," Brodney said. "The people I've met, I wouldn't trade it for the world"
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
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