Q & A with Dr. Gary

Laike Wallace ’16, Track & Field, Business Management

Q: Why do you enjoy being a Wittenberg Tiger?

A: I enjoy being a Wittenberg Tiger because there is a sense of greatness associated with it. If you are around great people, you are going to be great. This brings me to think of our outstanding tradition on the football field, volleyball court, golf course, on the track, and many others. We have a stigma of greatness and I love that about being a Wittenberg Tiger. Being a Tiger has been the best decision I have ever made.

Q: To you, what does it mean to Tiger Up?

A: To Tiger Up. To some this is just a catchy saying. But for the ones that “get it” it’s a lifestyle. Tigers are fierce animals in the wilderness, fearless. When you Tiger Up, you are mentally on another level than anyone else, not only for yourself, but for the ones that have come before you that have built this idea to “Tiger up”. When you reach this upper level, you want nothing more than to succeed for your Wittenberg family. You are essentially raising your game and attitude to represent this family, no matter where you are.

Q: What is your favorite place on campus (to hangout, socialize, etc.)?

A: Honestly practice. I seriously love being with my teammates every day. Track is a bit different than other sports, you are exposed to each other every day for at least two and a half hours. You start to really care for these people and with such busy schedules, it is nice to be able to be at practice, working toward a common goal with your family you have developed.

Q: What is the most valuable thing you have learned through your sport that is applicable to life?

A: Self- perseverance, after winning conference and being a national qualifier, I thought I had an all-American spot the following year that with hard work would be for sure mine. A slipped disk in my back had other plans. Many people would just call it a year and prep for the following season but I couldn’t do that. I had to get myself to run at least outdoor. So that’s what I did, I placed second at conference and was in contention to be a national qualifier. This really taught me a lot about myself and what being on a team really means. I fought back when times were tough because I wanted to succeed for the team.

I would also say that it is powerful to help lead a group to reach a common goal. I have learned multiple ways to motivate people to want to accomplish something together. I learned that in any group goal, each individual must be interested in their individual role to complete the goal.

Q: After your time at Wittenberg, how will you pass the light on to others?

A: I plan to reach out to new student athletes not only at Witt but anyone I see needs reached out to. I believe if you are blessed with accomplishments and have an opportunity to better someone else in the field that you specialized in, you should do it 100% of the time. I will be doing this through athletics, either as a mentor (which I have been blessed with some of the best mentors), as a coach, or even an outside source for someone.