Chris Cruse, communications junior, is living the dream of playing college tennis for his hometown school, IU Southeast.
Cruse started playing tennis in 7th grade with his best friend at the time. Cruse said after his first couple times playing tennis he stuck with it because he enjoyed playing.
“I liked tennis best, it was non-stop action,” Cruse said.
Cruse played tennis at New Albany High School and was noticed by Yancey Walters, IUS men’s tennis coach.
Cruse said Walters came to some of his high school tennis matches and recruited him to play tennis at IU Southeast.
Living in New Albany, playing tennis for IU Southeast had a lot of great things to offer Cruse.
Cruse said it is nice to be able to play close to home, which allows his family, high school teachers and friends to come to his matches. His matches at IU Southeast also get local newspaper coverage.
For some students juggling their studies and playing sports on the college level could be a difficult challenge. Starting his third year at IU Southeast, Cruse hasn’t seen this as an issue yet.
“It helps keep me focused,” Cruse said.
Cruse said the tennis team holds a three hour group study once a week. The coaches and players get a room in the IUS Library for the study group.
Cruse hopes to improve on a successful season from a year ago when he was named to the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All Conference team at the end of last season.
Cruse plays on the Grenadiers first and second doubles tennis team. He also plays fourth and fifth team singles for the Grenadiers and said he hopes to improve on his doubles record from a year ago.
Cruse said he wants to appreciate the game more this year, and he hopes this will help lead his team to a conference championship.
By JUSTIN RAY
Staff Writer
jusray@ius.edu