Dear Next Wave – Blake Paul
May 13, 2019 | Men's Basketball
Dear Next Wave:
When you arrive at Tulane, I want you to think about all that you're getting at Tulane. Take sports out of the equation. Academically, you're getting a top 40 education. You never know who you're going to sit next to in classes and it's those kinds of opportunities where you make connections with people you never could have expected.
You're going to get a family atmosphere and a welcoming feeling as soon as you step foot on campus. That's the same with the state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans. You're going to feel that southern vibe that everyone loves. You're going to get the feeling of success. It just kind of rubs off onto you during your time here.
For student-athletes, what you will learn is that you're getting the best of both worlds. You get to play in the extremely competitive American Athletic Conference. The competition is so great that you're going to be challenged to bring your best every day. You won't be able just to wake up and say you're going to do your best. You have to prepare yourself and with that comes hard work, dedication and the ability to manage your time.
You have so many resources available to you in the athletics department and you should use all of them. You have coaches, tutors, academic support and so many other things that are going to allow you to become a man and a woman. You're going to come in as a young man or woman, but you're going to learn the ropes.
If you do everything that you need, you take the time, work hard and listen, by the time you get to where I am now, there will be countless opportunities laid out in front of you and you will be in a prime position to make your own decisions. You will be able to pick which way you want to go. That's ultimately what you come to Tulane to do and what everyone around you wants for you. No one wants you to struggle or fail and they will do everything in their power to put you in that position.
When you reach the end of your time at Tulane, you will become the mature individual you sought to be. Even if you didn't intend to become that, you will. In turn, those experiences are going to make you a better person. You're going to want to thank everyone that helped you along the way and most importantly, you're going to thank yourself for the decision that you made.
When you arrive at Tulane, I want you to think about all that you're getting at Tulane. Take sports out of the equation. Academically, you're getting a top 40 education. You never know who you're going to sit next to in classes and it's those kinds of opportunities where you make connections with people you never could have expected.
You're going to get a family atmosphere and a welcoming feeling as soon as you step foot on campus. That's the same with the state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans. You're going to feel that southern vibe that everyone loves. You're going to get the feeling of success. It just kind of rubs off onto you during your time here.
For student-athletes, what you will learn is that you're getting the best of both worlds. You get to play in the extremely competitive American Athletic Conference. The competition is so great that you're going to be challenged to bring your best every day. You won't be able just to wake up and say you're going to do your best. You have to prepare yourself and with that comes hard work, dedication and the ability to manage your time.
You have so many resources available to you in the athletics department and you should use all of them. You have coaches, tutors, academic support and so many other things that are going to allow you to become a man and a woman. You're going to come in as a young man or woman, but you're going to learn the ropes.
If you do everything that you need, you take the time, work hard and listen, by the time you get to where I am now, there will be countless opportunities laid out in front of you and you will be in a prime position to make your own decisions. You will be able to pick which way you want to go. That's ultimately what you come to Tulane to do and what everyone around you wants for you. No one wants you to struggle or fail and they will do everything in their power to put you in that position.
When you reach the end of your time at Tulane, you will become the mature individual you sought to be. Even if you didn't intend to become that, you will. In turn, those experiences are going to make you a better person. You're going to want to thank everyone that helped you along the way and most importantly, you're going to thank yourself for the decision that you made.
Sincerely,
Blake Paul
Class of 2019
Bachelor of Arts – Homeland Security
Players Mentioned
F
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