On this episode of “The Newman Bond,” Ali Mounir, a tennis player from Egypt and senior at Newman University, shares his journey from adjusting to life in Kansas to balancing sports and academics.
Overview of conversation topics
Read on to skim or find timestamps of specific topics Mounir and Digital Community Specialist Jack Schafer covered in this episode.
Introduction (00:00-00:33)
- Schafer introduces Mounir, a student-athlete from Egypt who plays tennis at Newman University.
- Mounir shares his experiences at Newman, in Kansas and back home in Egypt.
Cultural adjustment (00:33-02:12)
- Mounir describes the cultural differences between Egypt and the U.S., noting that life in the U.S. is simpler and less extravagant.
- Mounir shares how initial struggles included loneliness and adjusting to a new environment, but his coach and teammates helped him adapt.
Choosing Newman & Coach Shella Augspurger (02:12-02:46)
- Mounir was drawn to Newman University due to the support and personality of former tennis coach Shella Augspurger.
- He connected with her immediately and trusted her guidance, even committing to Newman without an in-person visit.
Balancing student-athlete life (02:46-04:14)
- Mounir has played tennis since age 4 and is used to managing sports and academics.
- He believes in the importance of time management, discipline and prioritizing studies before practice.
Choosing tennis over soccer (04:14-05:14)
- Mounir was faced with a decision of choosing between soccer and tennis at age 12 or 13.
- His family roots are deep in soccer, but he chose tennis for the challenge and personal interest.
Comparison of education in Egypt vs. U.S. (05:46-06:45)
- College in Egypt is more academically rigorous with little focus on athletics.
- One of Mounir’s reasons for studying in the U.S. was to balance sports and academics.
Memorable tennis moments (07:16-08:49)
- One of Mounir’s biggest victories was against a highly ranked player, coming back after losing the first set 6-0.
- His favorite memories include conference games, particularly freshman year’s tournament.
Support system at Newman (08:49-09:27)
- Mounir mentioned several professors and staff members who have supported him academically and personally.
Favorite tennis players & mindset shifts (10:00-13:17)
- Mounir’s favorite player is Rafael Nadal due to his fighting spirit and discipline.
- He changed his mindset on tennis from sophomore to junior year by reducing pressure and focusing on confidence.
Future plans (13:48-14:49)
- Although Mounir is uncertain about post-graduation plans, he is considering data analytics or staying involved in tennis.
- Mounir hopes to continue playing tournaments and staying connected to the sport.
Final thoughts (15:21-17:25)
- Mounir mentions Aryna Sabalenka as one of his favorite female tennis players.
- He shared his appreciation for the Newman community and the opportunities he’s had.
View/listen to more episodes of ‘The Newman Bond’ podcast
Newman University releases new podcast episodes every first and third Tuesday of the month at noon on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
