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Athlete Awards

Central Close-Up

C.J. Cliff

  • Award
    Central Close-Up
  • Week Of
    3/30/2017
  • Sport
    Men's Tennis
  • Bio
    View Full Bio
Junior
Decorah, Iowa


Why Central?

I never considered Central until my sister said how much she loved it, so I gave it a visit and fell in love as well. Also I didn’t want to stop playing tennis and I wouldn’t be playing at Iowa.

Favorite professor and why?

I’ve had so many professors that I enjoy so it’s tough to pick, but I would say professor Bergman has been my favorite professor because of personality in the classroom keeps the material from being a drag. Also, she is so helpful when you have questions that she makes you feel like you're always welcome and that she’s happy to have you come in and ask questions.

In your iPod?

I’ve never had a device specific to music, but I keep some of my favorites on my phone and also listen to music on my computer. My favorites would have to be classics like Journey, Queen and Phil Collins but I also really enjoy newer pop music like Gavin Degraw and Maroon 5.

You’re majoring in Business Management and Spanish because?

Business management just seemed like a good fit because I love working with others and running an office seems like a great job. And Spanish is another way to get to know other people and experience cultures as well as giving me a great skill in the business world.

What professional tennis player would you pick as a dream doubles partner,

Rafael Nadal has been one of my favorite tennis players for a long time because he’s a fellow lefty, but I think it’d be more fun to play with Gael Monfils because he’s more entertaining to watch.  Both would be dream doubles partners though.

Favorite sport besides tennis

Without a doubt basketball. I love the emotion and team aspect of the sport and it is just a blast to watch on every level from high school to professional.

Favorite super hero

I suppose the flash, but I’m not really a big super hero guy so I don’t have much of a reason. But I enjoyed the idea of moving at the speed of light.

Where would you go in a time machine?

The most interesting thing in the past that I would want to see are my parents lives growing up. Every time I hear about it I learn something new and it’s really interesting so being able to see the types of people they were would be awesome. Also I’d be too scared to go back to any big historical events because I’d mess with them somehow.
 

What is your hidden talent?

I guess juggling is something I’m pretty good at that most people don’t know, but I wouldn’t say I’m good enough to call it a talent, but other than that I’m pretty good at badminton but a lot of people just assume that because I’m a tennis player.

Favorite TV Show

Game of Thrones would be my favorite, because the plot is amazing and it is incredibly unpredictable which is very entertaining.
 
The one thing people don’t about Coach Ferrell

Well some people know it, but not enough, Coach Ferrell is an incredible singer and actually got college scholarships for choir over anything he got to play tennis.

Why do you love Central tennis?

The closeness of everything. You can walk to class because it’s not spread out over a bunch of miles, you can talk to your professors whenever you want because they care about your education, you can strike up a conversation with just about anybody because we people here just get along and care about each other!

“Ten years from now I’ll...”

Have a family with two kids, three dogs, a well paying job that I enjoy. I’ll be traveling to see the world, and hopefully giving my kids the best life they could possibly ask for!

Favorite food from Central Market

Fresh Cookie Tuesday. Enough said.

Bucket list

-I would love to see Switzerland
-Pay for my children's entire education
-Own like an entire pack of dogs because they are the greatest thing ever!
-Watch the Vikings win the Super Bowl
-Attend all 4 of the majors in tennis

 


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