Naji Allan, WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlight
Each week during the 2015-16 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its eight institutions for a "Student-Athlete Spotlight" Q & A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday on the WIAC website.
Name: Naji Allan
Institution: UW-Oshkosh
Hometown and High School: Sheboygan, Wis. (Sheboygan North High School)
Year in school: Senior
Sport(s): Men's Track & Field
Major(s): International Business Management
Why did you choose to attend UW-Oshkosh?
I chose to attend UW-Oshkosh because I felt like it was a great fit for me. I knew the school was going to help me excel in both academics and athletics. I knew I wanted to major in business, and UW-Oshkosh had a great business program that pushes the students to succeed.
What is the greatest lesson you have learned from being a student-athlete?
Time management is huge. As a student-athlete you do not have the time that most students have. You have practice and classes every day during the week and usually you are competing on the weekends. So the very little free time you do have, you have to use it wisely. While some students get to do what they want during that free time, as a student-athlete you might have to use it to study. You definitely learn a lot and it is a privilege.
What is your favorite …
Flavor of the Day from Culver's? Chocolate Oreo Volcano
Menu item from Culver's? Double ButterBurger with cheese and a side of cheese curds
Spot on campus? Not including the athletic facilities, Reeve Union
Class? Global Management
Movie? "Remember the Titans"
Food? Steak
TV Show? "The Ellen DeGeneres Show"
Quote/motto? "The road to success runs uphill." – Willie Davis
What is your fantasy job/career?
I want to use my International Management degree to travel so I can learn about how other countries and cultures run their workplaces. So, I guess a professional traveler?
What is your greatest sports moment?
There are many great moments I've had running. The one that sticks out the most –because it was recent – was my junior year outdoor, competing for UW-Oshkosh. It was the last-chance meet to qualify for nationals and we were running the 400-meter relay to try and qualify. It was me, a junior, and three freshmen. Not many people expected it to happen but we knew we worked hard enough. We ended up qualifying and going into the national meet, running the fourth fastest time in the country. I will never forget that moment because of the reaction and faces those young guys had when they saw what they were capable of doing. I was just really excited to be a part of it.
What is your favorite thing to do off the track with your teammates?
We like to go out to eat a lot, bowling, and play "Mario Tennis". Video games can get really intense.
One word that describes the team?
Weird. Come to a practice and you will know exactly what I mean.
One word that describes you?
Dedicated. I believe that in order for you to be the best you can be, you have to do everything you can to get there – even the little things. Great thing about dedication is that is totally in your control.
If you could meet three people from throughout history they would be?
Jesse Owens, Kobe Bryant and Denzel Washington.
Your most prized possession is?
I have a bracelet that my sister made for me that I wear around my ankle. I haven't taken it off ever since she gave it to me. It has been like four years so far.
A non-athletic talent you have is?
I'm pretty solid at "Mario Tennis".
Your worst habit is?
I lose things a lot. If anyone has seen a blue Nalgene water bottle anywhere on campus, please let me know.
Other 2015-16 UW-Oshkosh WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights
Jordan Carpenter • Men's Cross Country
Kyle Bolger • Men's Basketball
Katie Challoner • Women's Swimming & Diving
Taylor Sherry • Women's Track & Field