Adam Mandel
Year: 2015
Major: Classical Studies, maybe Teaching
Hometown: Westchester, New York
We hear you’re a fencer. Congrats on winning athlete of the week a few weeks ago!
Did you fence in high school?
Yes I did. Since 7th grade, actually, so six years now.
How did you pick up the sport?
My school offered it and my sister had been fencing and I got jealous. I was mediocre at other sports and I had to stop wrestling due to a medical injury. I mean, you see Zorro and other figures doing it on the big screen so I thought it would be cool to whip out some of those moves.
What else are you involved with on campus?
Fencing takes up most of my time. I play ping-pong with my friends. I try to socialize as much as possible. Every night we go into the library as a team and study together.
What do you wish you were involved with on campus?
Archery looks really awesome. I’ve accidentally walked into the archery and they were all lined up like a firing squad! I had to duck out of there. Also I might want to do radio.
What kind of music are you into?
Classic rock. You know, The Doors, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix. You’ll find me most of the time just listening to music on my computer.
How do you manage being on a sports team and doing your schoolwork?
A close family friend of mine who is a college adviser gave me a poster to take with me to school. It has a quote from Abraham Lincoln on it, that basically says “don’t procrastinate.” It really does teach you that you’re a student and then an athlete. If I have to miss a practice for school, that’s what I have to do. My academics have improved, my fencing has improved, and so has my time management.
What is something that the readers would want to know about you?
I’m actually kind of a nerd. I’m up to trying new things; I try to keep my mind open. Life is too short to waste; not trying new things would be the biggest waste of all.
If you could eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sushi. (for the record, there was absolutely no hesitation!)