Reflection

1. What did you enjoy about this project?

I enjoyed the research process more than anything. Finding out more and more information about the history of the tennis program was fascinating. In addition, seeking out the information about the actual decision and all that went into it was suprising at times but also very enjoyable. Finally, the interviews with Butch Newman and Cameron Kimbrill were also very interesting. Learning not just about the switch from an outsiders perspective but diving deep into an individuals viewpoint and stance on the decision was captivating. 

2. What surprised you about this project?

What surprised me about this project the most was all of the information that I was able to gather on my topic. The special collection and archives section of the library was crucial for my research. The library website and just other opinion articles were also available. In terms of my topic, I was suprised by how many people were affected by the decision to switch divisions. It wasnt just the program that was impacted but the University and community as well. Players and coaches were directly invloved but the whole student body and really most of the city of San Antonio had an opinion on the issue. 

3. What was the most challenging aspect of the project, and how did you manage it?

Definitely the most challenging part of the project was which sources to include and which sources to exclude. Since there was a plethora of information surrounding my topic, I wanted to include all of the information. But as my topic narrowed, I needed to cut some sources out of the project. Deciding which ones to cut was very difficult. But, with the help of Mrs. Graff and others, I managed this problem by including and sticking to my interviews and building sources off that; including ones that were related to my interviews and getting rid of ones that were not.  

4. If you could start over, what would you do differently?

If I could start over, I would have tried to do more interviews. My one with Coach Newman was fantastic. If I was able to interview a couple more central individuals that were critical in the decision, I feel like my project would have been more intetesting and provided more unique perspectives. I would also have managed my time better throughout the semester. I did the project in chunks instead of spacing it out evenly. This would have gave me more time to gather more information from sources and provide an even better story of what happened with the tennis program in 1990.

5. What did you learn about history and/or the historical process through this project?

What I learned about history is that people who are central figures in a certain decision might change their mind about the topic at hand. Just because, in the past, one had an opinion on a decision or an issue, does not mean it hasn't changed since. In terms of my project, Butch Newman was outraged over the decision to switch to division three back in 1990, but later believed it was the right call for the athletics department and Trinity University as a whole. 

6. What did you learn through this project that can be applied to life outside the classroom?

That success can be revamped with the right people and mindset. What the tennis program accomplished in the 1960s when the program was division one is hard to beat. But with the right division three tennis athletes and the right coaches mindset, the program can be rebuilt and success can be permanent.