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Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Jeremy Rushing, Student Sports Information Assistant)

May 7, 2012 - Whether it's a pop quiz in the classroom or a hard serve from an opponent, North Central College senior men's tennis player Eric McKee knows how to handle any challenge that comes his way.  He has seen action in the No. 2 through 6 positions in singles play in his career at North Central as well as No. 2 and No. 3 positions in doubles play. 
               
As a freshman, Eric played primarily at the No. 3 position in singles and No. 2 position in doubles, compiling records of 7-13 and 9-13, respectively.  The actuarial science major earned Academic All-College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) honors as well as an Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Scholar Athlete selection.
               
In his sophomore season, Eric compiled a 6-16 record in singles play, playing between the No.4 and No. 6 positions.  In doubles, Eric played most of his matches at the No. 3 position.  For the second straight year, Eric was both an Academic-All CCIW selection and an ITA Scholar Athlete Selection.
               
As a junior, Eric played mostly at the No. 4 position in singles, notching an 8-14 record.  In doubles, Eric netted a 7-16 record, playing at the No. 2 and 3 positions.  He also received his third straight Academic All-CCIW and ITA Scholar Athlete selections.
               
This year, in addition to his tennis schedule, Eric traveled to Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, to speak at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research (NCUR).  He gave a presentation titled “The Effectiveness of Precious Metals and Commodities in Hedging Inflation.”  On the court, Eric has posted a 4-9 record in doubles play and a 4-12 record in singles.
Q: When did you start playing tennis?
A: I first started around fifth or sixth grade.  I received a tennis racquet for my birthday and I started playing during the summer.  Then around eighth grade or so I started to play year-round.

Q: What is your favorite part about tennis?
A: The biggest thing for me is how there is a code of conduct of how to play, especially when calling an opponent's shot in or out.  While you can cheat the calls if you want to and no one can call you out on that, you're expected to be honest on the court, and I believe that can help you moving forward in life.

Q: Do you prefer singles or doubles?
A: That's a very hard question.  I like doubles, especially when I have a partner that I work well with and have a good relationship with.  I also really enjoy singles, being on my own and putting myself one on one against another player.

Q: What is the best thing about playing for head coach Mike Patrick?
A: He's really revitalized this program.  The year before I came here as a freshman, the season was only about three or four weeks.  Just conference matches and maybe one or two non-conference.  He's really expanded our season.  Now, we play in some fall tournaments and are constantly hitting year round on our own.  We have our Spring Break trip; we play in March all the way through May now instead of just a few weeks.

Q: What is the team chemistry like on the men's tennis team?
A: In practice, and even in matches, we like to joke around and relieve some of the tension.  We like to keep things light because in tennis one of the biggest problems is getting tense then you start missing shots.  After evening practice or after a home meet we usually all go have lunch somewhere on campus.  The residents swipe the commuters in (laughs).  We also have some great bus rides where we just talk about whatever.

Q: What is your favorite class you have taken so far at North Central?
A: I went on a D-Term class study abroad trip to Rome.  It was really interesting to see all the churches and museums, along with all the Latin inscriptions that are everywhere.  That was an incredible experience.

Q: What is actuarial science?
A: It's jointly offered by the mathematics and finance departments.  You take math classes, finance classes, some economics classes, and also some computer science classes.  The major is geared towards calculating risk; you usually work in insurance, helping insurance companies calculate rates for all different kinds of insurance.

Q: What is the best thing about being an actuarial science major?
A: I really enjoy the classes and working with numbers. 

Q: How does it feel to be a thre- time ITA Scholar Athlete Selection?
A:  It's a very great experience because I was actually the one to find this award and push it towards coach and the athletic directors.  It's just a great feeling to say I was an athlete but also had a really high GPA and was able to balance those two.  This goes for the entire team too, not just me.

Q: You spoke at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research, what was that experience like?
A: That was a wonderful experience.  I was presenting my research on my senior thesis, which is finance research.  The conference was out in Utah which is a wonderful place to go.  It was a great experience in actually presenting my research and getting feedback but also seeing all the other people from North Central's presentations as well as the presentations from others across the country.