You were awarded a NCAA Women's Enhancement Graduate Scholarship on behalf of the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics. Did you expect to be awarded again?
I did meet the basic requirements to be this scholarship's recipient so yeah deep down I was expecting to receive this award. But I am aware how competitive this can be, and they select only 13 candidates for this scholarship every year so I was really hoping to be one of them.
What was your initial reaction to receiving the award?
I was excited! This is not a small amount, so I was glad I'd be able to aid my master's. Especially being an international student, financial burden is a lot on us. I am glad NCAA has opportunities that can help student athletes even after their collegiate athletic career comes to an end.
What are you trying to get your master's degree in?
M.S. in Sport Management from University of Indianapolis. I want to build a career in intercollegiate athletics and chose this school in Indy because I wanted to stay near the NCAA headquarters and network.
Go into detail about the career you envision.
So currently I am working at Morgan State University since last year as the Athletics Compliance Assistant. Before that I served as a Compliance intern at Del State during my last semester in undergrad. As much as I am interested in Compliance, I'd also like to explore intercollegiate athletics and try different segments in an athletic department itself. Like Student Athlete Development, Academic Services, International office, etc. I want to learn at the institution level first then progress towards conference/national level. So, in short term I want to work with the NCAA after (obtaining my) master's degree. Long term...I want to be a part of the International Olympic Committee one day. But Indy is a city full of opportunities so I will also be looking forward to getting some experience in the pro league like with the Pacers or Colts. I would like to start as a volunteer if (the) opportunity arrives.
Last month you spoke at the NCAA Careers in Sports Forum. What did you say to the audience at the event?
So I talked about how being a student athlete impacted me as I come from a different culture. I learned a lot in my last 4 years as an athlete. Grew into a more confident individual and a team player. Then the same passion for sports made me decide that I want to pursue a career in athletics as an administrator. Some athletes asked me (a) few questions regarding the struggles of transitioning from being an athlete to now a (member of the) athletic department staff and I said it definitely was challenging but my experience as a student athlete kinda developed me to be ready to face the real world after graduation.
Did you feel as though your words resonated and made an impact with the student-athletes?
Yeah. A lot of them followed up with me later through emails or on LinkedIn and shared that they really found my responses insightful. There were a lot of international athletes like me so they were looking forward to asking me some questions regarding how difficult it is to land a job being an international student and stuff like that. I believe most of us kind of go through the same struggles so they could relate when i shared my journey.
Last year you were the female recipient of the NCAA Academic Accelerating Program Success (AASP) Award. How were you able to receive such an honor?
NCAA sent out an email to all AASP schools to send names for nominations. Then the athletic department sent out an email to all athletes about this and asked if we were interested...state a reason why we should be nominated. Based on the responses and majors and GPA, they sent out a few names to the NCAA. Then (the) NCAA reached back to all nominees from all schools they received nominations from and asked us to write like a 2 page essay on future goals and academic / athletic achievements. After some evaluation they decided two recipients. I was the female and the male recipient was - football athlete from Alcorn State. Last year was the 2nd year of AASP award initiated by the NCAA so I am technically the first athlete from the MEAC to receive this award and I think I am the first to receive this scholarship from Del State too.
Your achievements do not stop there though. In 2018 you participated in NFL Careers in Football Forum, what did you learn while you were there?
That was huge for me! I believe it was the same process of selection and I along with Braxton Clark from (from the soccer team) represented DSU. It was a networking forum but (the) NFL also held its first ever Business Case Study Competition. I was a part of the Carolina Panthers group and Braxton was with the LA Rams. Panthers topic of presentation was "how can we increase Panthers' fan base and market them better" my input was slightly different in this as I talked about how we can grow the fanbase outside the United States. I talked about growing football in Asian countries. Only by introducing a sport you can grow it, and this will automatically create a fanbase of teams and players. So, I networked with Talent Acquisition Managers of various NFL teams and presented in front of them. And Panthers won the first ever business case study competition.
Many student athletes have a hard time adjusting to life after sports, but in your case it seems as though you have thrived, why is that the case?
I think I always knew what I want to do. I knew I (would) not continue tennis as a profession after college and knew I want to stay in the sports industry because I do want to serve back to the industry that gave me this platform to be who I am today. A lot of times students aren't sure what they really are passionate about even after college. And It's not wrong or late. Sometimes you need some time to think what you really want to do. In my case I just knew before even coming to the US that I want to major in sport management and pursue a career in sports and ultimately work in the IOC. That was one of the reasons I chose DSU over other schools that offered...DSU had sport management. It's also about having alternative plans. A lot of people think having a back up plan or plan b or c means you ain't confident that your plan A would work. That's not true. It's just called being practical and thinking about life beyond one particular thing. Every athlete dreams to go pro and become a world class athlete but one should also think about plans beyond that. So i think i just knew that I wouldn't make it pro and i was anyway more interested in administration side of sports.
Even though you did not go pro you were still a very good tennis player. During your senior season you were named Team MVP. Among all of your other accomplishments, where do you rank that award?
Ehh I was alright! laughs Chouhan. My last season was just a big success in doubles. I and my partner Cassandra Boltman finished undefeated in the conference that season so yeah it was a big achievement. Athletics wise I put that award on the top because that was my only award in tennis in my entire college career. (I rank it) 2nd overall because the NCAA's recognition in the AASP is definitely the topmost achievement for me so far.
You guys were a very successful team, what was the reason for the success?
I think we just understood each other too well. Not just on court but off court as well. We were roommates and best friends. Spending so much time together made us understand each other too well and we kind of shared the same mindset. She would motivate me to put more effort during practice and conditioning and I think I served a decent example for her on how to balance academics and athletics and job hunting and everything. We both would probably not realize but (we) would indirectly teach each other a lot. Also, her game style and my game style made us a great team together.
We both had our own strengths and weaknesses and that sit well with each other. What moment in your career here at DSU did you realize that you belonged and could not only compete but win vs. other D1 athletes?
Freshman year itself. Since I am not from the US, I never knew how competitive D1 really was. I was really trying to figure out the level of my opponents and my teammates as well in the first few matches, I played. I think when we beat Hampton in my freshman year, that is when not just me but my entire team gained confidence because Hampton was really good. And my entire team was mostly freshmen class in 2015-16 season. So, it was all new for most of us.
What are some memories that you created at DSU in which you still cherish today?
Oh man MEDIA DAY. Chouhan jokes. But seriously...that HBCU environment. Everyone was so helping, and a lot of people knew me. All the achievements i had like sport management departmental scholar for 3 years, all the honors and recognition I received. Then I also taught Yoga at the wellness center. Early morning conditioning, going to basketball and football games, working at games, It's a lot but most importantly, team travels. For our away matches and tournaments. Regardless of how tiring it would be that's one of those experiences I know I won't get to live again. So yeah, that entire student-athlete life.
You touched on it briefly earlier in the conversation, but can you go into more detail on why you decided to join DSU and become a member of the HBCU community. Also did you accomplish everything that you wished you had while you were here?
To be honest, I didn't really know anything about the college culture in the US. Didn't know what's an HBCU and how is it different from a regular PWI. My main reason for coming to DSU was a full ride offer and sport management. That's really one of the main reasons for a lot of international athletes (join) too. But after becoming a part of the culture and everything DSU had to offer, I am glad I decided to attend an HBCU. Gave me an insight about the African American community and their culture. And yes, I believe I did accomplish a lot. A lot of people think you don't get many opportunities coming out of an HBCU but all these opportunities I have received like attending the NFL forum, NCAA AASP award...that all came to me because i was a part of an HBCU school. NFL forum was for all HBCUs. So, I probably wouldn't have gotten that opportunity if I wasn't at an HBCU at first place.