Student-Athlete Spotlight: Lloyd Goldstein

Sports: Tennis, Swimming & Diving
Year: Senior (C'20)
Events: Backstroke, Individual Medley
Hometown/High School: New Providence, N.J./New Providence
Major: Computer Science
Minors: Economics, Statistics
 
Why did you choose Drew University?
I was actually a transfer to Drew! The tennis coach was willing to give me a shot and I really liked how the attitude towards academics was serious but not life-or-death, so it was an easy decision.

Why did you choose your major and what has been your favorite course?
I became a computer science major more or less by accident. I took the intro course my first semester and Professor Emily Hill made it so accessible and interesting that I fell in love instantly and there was no going back.

What is your most memorable moment as a Ranger?
My most memorable moment in tennis was probably my win against Catholic this season. It was really windy and I played a three-hour, three-set match that I barely squeezed through, and getting a big win in a tough conference match like that was a great feeling. My most memorable moment in swimming was watching our women's 4x200 freestyle relay break the Landmark Conference record at the conference championships this past season. We knew they had a shot to get it going in so there was a lot of energy in the room, but as the race went on and we realized they were going to do it we all went completely nuts. 

How has being an athlete helped you as a student and in the classroom?
Being an athlete has really helped me with my time management. It's easy to lose track of time and get lazy when you don't have much to keep you busy, but when you have to be up at 5:45 for morning practice and have a second practice in the afternoon it forces you to keep to a schedule and stay disciplined.

What is the most difficult part of your sports?
I would say the most difficult part of tennis is staying mentally with it. Tennis is a sport with a lot of pressure and when you make mistakes it can be really easy to get down on yourself, but you need to stay positive and stay in the present. The toughest part of swimming is trusting the process. The season can be a grind and it can be tough to stay committed and work hard in the middle of the season when you're swimming slowly and everything hurts, but you have to trust that when you rest for conference championships all the hard work will pay off.

What advice do you have for a prospective Drew University student-athlete?
I would advise prospective student-athletes to stay in constant communication with both your coaches and professors, especially when you feel overwhelmed. They are here to help and support you and they will always try their hardest to work with you if you are struggling athletically or academically.

Why is community service important to your role as a student-athlete at Drew?
Community service is important to the role of any student-athlete at Drew because the organization supporting us should not be taken for granted. It is amazing that we get to be part of these teams with great coaches and facilities for no extra cost, but we need to really appreciate that and give back any way we can.

Name one obstacle or form of adversity you have had to overcome...
Although I love being a two-sport athlete, scheduling around two different sports can be really difficult. For instance, swimming season ends a couple weeks after spring tennis season starts, so I miss the first couple weeks of spring tennis season to get ready for swimming conference championships. Fortunately, my coaches are very accommodating and understanding and work with me to make sure I can get the best experience possible with both sports.

Rapid Fire:
Color?  Orange
Food?  Pasta
Restaurant? Chimney Rock Inn
Movie? Inside Out
TV Show? Avatar: The Legend of Korra
Musical Artist? Fall Out Boy
Athlete? Andy Murray
Pro Team? New York Mets, unfortunately
Hobbies? Reading, video games
Biggest Fear? Blood
Most Prized Possession? My stuffed koala