Athletics

May 25, 2018 | Susan Twiss

Student-Athlete Strong: Jack McLister

Tennis player Jack McLister says the biggest challenge he faces as a student-athlete is balancing classes with the team's travel schedule.

Jack McLister in a class at Oak Hall on April 26, 2018. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

Tennis player Jack McLister says the biggest challenge he faces as a student-athlete is balancing classes with the team's travel schedule. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

UConn’s student-athletes are often lauded for their on-field or on-court achievements, but there’s an equally important – often unseen – dimension to the student-athlete. UConn Today’s Student-Athlete Strong series highlights the academic prowess of selected high-achieving student-athletes and provides an inside look at their lives beyond their sport.

Jack McLister ’19 (CLAS)

Hometown and high school: Leesburg, Virginia; Loudon County High School

Sport: Tennis

Area of study: Economics

Anticipated graduation: May 2019

Why did you choose to attend UConn?
I chose UConn because of the great academic and athletic opportunities offered.

What has been your favorite class so far and why?
My favorite class I’ve taken at UConn was Principles of Public Speaking. I originally chose the class because I thought it would be very beneficial for me in the future. But I also really enjoyed learning about the best ways to convey points, and how to talk about a topic in a large setting.

What is the biggest challenge you face as a student-athlete?
The biggest challenge that I face as a student-athlete is balancing classes with our travel schedule. Trying to figure out how to submit assignments while traveling and what to do when we have to miss exams was confusing at first, but you get used to it and work around it.

You were injured in high school, but still stayed in competition. What effect did that have on you?
I believe that getting injured my senior year of high school was a blessing in disguise. As annoying as it was in the moment, I learned a lot from the situation so that I could be adequately prepared to take on the everyday struggle of college.

Describe someone you met on campus who has had a remarkable influence on you.
Someone that has made a remarkable influence on me has been our strength and conditioning coach, Mike Rozzi. I have looked at him not only as a great strength coach, but as a mentor to me the past two years.

What does it mean to you to be a Husky?
A few important traits that we preach on our team are hard work and belief. I think that those traits are what makes up a true Husky: The hard work and effort put in to succeed in everyday life, and the belief and confidence that you will succeed.