Contact: Emily Zadny, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302
(Written by Nicholas Osterloo, Student Sports Information Assistant)
April 30, 2018 - Choosing to study in America was an easy decision for the Swedish native and North Central College men's tennis player Victor Krueger. Choosing North Central was just as easy.
After he took two years off following high school to work and travel, a normal practice for Swedes, he hired an agency which guaranteed him an education as well as the opportunity to continue his tennis career in America. Out of the three colleges that the agency offered to Krueger, North Central had the highest academic standards which is why he chose to be a Cardinal.
Growing up, tennis was always a part of his family. "My dad and his brothers were tennis coaches so they gave me a tennis racket before I knew what the world was," Krueger said. He also enjoys playing soccer and floorball which he compares to land hockey in America.
Athletics seem to run in the family as well: Krueger's younger brother is a member of the Swedish National squash team and is participating the European Championships this year.
At North Central, Krueger plays in the No. 1 position and was a Second Team All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) selection for the 2016-17 season. This season, he has compiled nine wins in singles play as well as nine wins in doubles.
"The team has a nice atmosphere where we are on the same level of commitment," said Krueger. "We understand that we have a lot of other things going on, but when we are at the court, we give 100 percent."
In the classroom, he is an international business and Chinese major. Krueger knew he wanted to go into the business world because both of his parents have business degrees. To fulfill his language requirement, Krueger took Chinese and enjoyed it so much that he decided to add it as a major.
Krueger is also a Resident Assistant in Patterson Hall on campus. He lives on an international floor which means many international students from various countries come together and live in the same area. Currently, he oversees 25 students from nine different countries. This has been a challenge but one that he enjoys doing because he did the same thing between high school and college. Krueger worked at a ski travel agency where he was constantly on call, having to diffuse various problems.
Being an international student can be difficult but Krueger feels comfortable at North Central. "Sweden has a similar culture and I had prepared myself for the differences between cultures," Krueger said. "My culture shock isn't as big as most and I feel like I have been treated very well"
After graduation, Krueger will stay in the U.S. and work for one year because as an international student, he is granted one year to stay and work. "I want to utilize that but I am still debating on what I want to do within business," said Krueger.
Krueger and the rest of the men's tennis team will play in the CCIW Championships starting on May 3 as the host team. This year's tournament will be held at Nike Sports Complex in Naperville.
