Q&A With Volleyball's Kim Swafford
Sep 29, 2003 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 29, 2003
NEW ORLEANS, La. - One of four seniors on the 2003 Tulane volleyball team, middle blocker Kim Swafford has been a key contributor to a program that has improved in each of the past three seasons. The native of San Diego, Calif., sat down with a member of the Tulane Media Relations staff to discuss her career at Tulane and her goals for the future. Here are her responses:
Major: I'm double majoring in marketing and management. I'm not 100 percent sure of what I want to do when I graduate, so I figured a business degree would be broad enough for me to go into different venues.
Being A Tulane Student-Athlete Has Helped/Changed Me By: It has completely and utterly made me grow into the person I am today. It matured me, I feel like it's giving me time and money management. But I guess the biggest thing it's done for me is helped me become independent. That, and it's helped me become more cultured with all the different types of people we have here at Tulane as well as in the New Orleans area.
If I Could Play Another Sport At Tulane, It Would Be: Swimming. I've always had a pool, and I've always enjoyed it. I'm tall and have long limbs, and that's an advantage in swimming, so I figure I could be pretty good at it.
Plans After Graduation: It depends on how the job market is going. I just want to have a secure job when I graduate.
I Chose Tulane Because: Obviously because of the academics, but I really wanted to get away from San Diego. I figured once I got here that I would need to have a sort of extended family, and the coaching staff really provided that for me here.
If Tulane Could Beat One School In The NCAA, It Would Be: San Diego State, because that's where I'm from.
Most Memorable Moment As A Tulane Student-Athlete: I guess it would have to be all the friends I've made here since I came to college. That's what is going to stick with me the most.
Favorite Book: Bridge To Terabithia. I read it in fifth grade, and I always remembered it. I actually reread it last Thanksgiving, and it's still a really good book.
Favorite On-Campus Activity: Studying at the coffee shops.
Personal Philosophy: Always be lighthearted. Don't be serious all the time, because it's not fun to be serious all the time. Some sarcasm is good for you.
Person Who Most Influenced My Athletic Career: (Tulane assistant coach) Sam Ojie. He's a good role model, and he knows a lot about the game. He really took me under his wing and has taught me so much.
Best Advice I Ever Received: Don't judge a book by its cover. Yes, you learn that when you're little, but you really don't understand what it means until you get older. You should really get to know people before you judge them.
A Class I Would Recommend To Others: Acting. It's really fun and I had a really cool teacher. It was exciting and challenging all at the same time.
Actor I Would Most Like To See In A Movie: Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts. I think that all of Denzel Washington's movies have been so good and he's just really talented. And I just always liked Julia Roberts in all of her movies, especially in Step Mom and Pretty Woman.
Favorite Food: Mexican.
Dream Vacation Destination: I would love to go to South Africa, especially Sun City. I often watch the World's Strongest Man competition and they're shot in Sun City, and the scenery there is always so beautiful. And I know a girl who lives there, so it would be fun to visit her, too.
If I Could Have Dinner With Anyone In History, It Would Be: My grandfather and Susan B. Anthony. I never really knew my grandfather on my mother's side, and I think it would be neat for us to be able to sit down and talk, and just get to know each other. As for Susan B. Anthony, I'd like to talk to her about all of work with the women's suffrage movement. She was a strong woman who we can all look up to.
Favorite Teacher: My second grade teacher Mrs. Drumet. She had all of my sisters and I, and she was very nurturing and good at what she did.
Favorite Moment With A Tulane Fan: I really liked the first time these guys showed up with "T-U-L-A-N-E" painted on their chests. That was kind of neat. Also, earlier this season when we had that big crowd against LSU.
Cartoon Character that Coach Becker Most Reminds You Of: Helga Pataki from the show "Hey Arnold". She's real intense, excitable and outgoing, and is really all over the place - just like Betsy.
Favorite TV Show: Saved By The Bell. I grew up with the show, and for some reason I know just about everything about the show. I am the queen of Saved By The Bell trivia and welcome all challengers. Bring it on!
Favorite Movie: There's so many, but I'm going to have to go with The Shawshank Redemption.
Favorite Sports Movie: Rudy
If I Could Go To Any Concert Ever, I Would See: Well, it's not a real concert, but I would love to see a concert of all the big country stars past and present - George Jones, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Reba McIntire - all singing their greatest hits. That would be awesome.
People I Would Like To Thank: My family, especially my mom for chauffeuring me around to all my games when I was younger. Also, I'd like to thank (assistant coach) Liz Kritza. She's always been there for all of us. She breaks it down for us and is real about it.
