I've been reading many, many applications over the last month, and one thing that strikes me is that there are a lot of MIT applicants who like tennis, both playing and watching it. Thus, I'd guess a lot of the blog readership will be excited to learn this fact.
Adam Helfant, MIT Class of 1985, has been named the Executive Chairman & President of the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals).
As an undergraduate, Helfant lived in Burton-Conner, the same dorm that currently is home to Laura, Jess, Snively, and Shannon.
He majored in Materials Science and Engineering, earning his degree in just three and a half years. After MIT, he went to Harvard Law (the latest MIT Careers Office statistics have MIT graduates with an admission rate to Harvard Law 1.5 times higher than the national average). From there he went to a New York law firm, then to the NHL (professional hockey), then to Nike, where he was Vice President of Global Sports Marketing before being tapped by the ATP.
He'll be on hand today as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal once again face off for a Major title, this one being the 2009 Australian Open (live on TV at 3:30 in the morning in Boston, oy).
Federer was quoted as saying some nice things about Helfant: "I met him in December and he also saw Rafa (Nadal) and Novak (Djokovic) before he got appointed, to sort of get the definite okay," said Federer. "He's a smart man, smart and honest and a guy I think who will do an excellent job for the ATP."
Andy Roddick also had some nice things to say: "I actually was lucky enough to have dinner with him the other night. I was pretty impressed," said Roddick. "He didn't come in with kind of this braggadocio attitude of what he's done, whatever. He kind of came in and he had his notepad and his pen, and he asked questions, and he wrote down notes. He didn't come in like a know-it-all.
"It was an impressive meeting, that's for sure," he said. "After the meeting, I was glad that they had chosen him."
Congratulations, Adam Helfant!
So, who is going to win tonight betwen Nadal and Federer?
Some other links relating to MIT and sports:
- MIT varsity sports
- MIT Center for Sports Innovation
- The MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, co-chaired by Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey MBA '00
- The sports ratings by statistician Jeff Sagarin '70
- Protrade, the "sports stock market" started by former MIT Blackjack Team member Jeff Ma '94
Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)
ah and by the way matt, I took the SAT Exam this month, but it was my first time so I dont think I did my 100% best, is it too late to maybe take it again?
(I live in the UK)
Posted by: fouadalnoor on January 31, 2009
I sent in my grades for class 12 even though I am an international student and the mid- year report doesn't apply to me. So i just sent a photocopy of a mid- year grade 12 examination recently by courier. I know that even if it is processed it won't show on my MYMIT account. So how would I know you received it?
I know I shouldve faxed it but I already sent it by courier.
I had also sent art supplements to the respective person according to the address given on the web. How do I really know that they have been received?
Will my international EC be informed of my admissions decision?
Posted by: Rankeya on January 31, 2009
Oh, and nice post Matt (I LOVE tennis)
Posted by: Carl on January 31, 2009
Posted by: Vaibhav on January 31, 2009
Posted by: 0 on January 31, 2009
Posted by: Claire on January 31, 2009
thanx matt for the brilliant post about tennis, you made my day. and thank you for answering my question in the previous post.
Posted by: sepideh on January 31, 2009
Posted by: sepideh on January 31, 2009
In context of international applicants, what exactly are the factors that make an application strong at the initial level.
Asking because of the following lines of THE SELECTION PROCESS:-
"Once your application is complete, it will first be read by a senior admissions officer who will consider your application in a holistic manner, within its proper context. Strong applications will then be evaluated by another admissions officer who will summarize it at length for the committee."
And by the way Fedex(Federer) is my choice.
Posted by: Neo on January 31, 2009
Posted by: ρ on January 31, 2009
Posted by: Q on January 31, 2009
Of course, that enjoyment was born, originally, from The Prince of Tennis manga, but I genuinely like the sport now ">.> (way more than full-team sports, anyway, of which I only like (non-American) football)
Posted by: Narce on January 31, 2009
p.s.Federer will WIN !
Posted by: Dhvanit on January 31, 2009
What's next? A MIT graduate football player? lol.
Posted by: Sheila ('13?) on January 31, 2009
Maybe you never know.
Posted by: Link on January 31, 2009
Posted by: Azeem ('13?) on January 31, 2009
Posted by: 0 on January 31, 2009
Posted by: Jared on January 31, 2009
Second, Rafa is a much better guy, funny, modest, likeable, down to earth Spaniard. Federer is a slimy Swiss, disliked by many players, for good reason, as I don't trust him and think he aggravates players off camera. For ages he was seriously condescending about the youngsters of the game, rarely congratulates players sincerely, AND is now coachless, another proof of his arrogance, while Nadal keeps trying to improve year after year.
Finally, I don't want Federer to get his hands on a 14th major, as then people will say he's the best ever. Federer dominated in a time without competition. Sampras had gone, Agassi had gone, Nadal hadn't risen (except on clay where he is a totally different man, more like god), and Hewitt... sucks. Cmon Nadal, you can get the Grand Slam this year!!
Posted by: Max Menzies on January 31, 2009
Yeah I did mention about me playing tennis. Love the game - watching and playing. I consider it as arguably the most gruelling sport in the world.
About today - Federer will win if he's put the past behind him. But if he hasn't, well I'm afraid he'll lose in straight sets.
Posted by: Varun on January 31, 2009
Posted by: deng on January 31, 2009
Posted by: Claire '13 on February 1, 2009
Posted by: akhila on February 1, 2009
Posted by: akhila on February 1, 2009
He studied Materials Science and Engineering at MIT, then went to Law School at Harvard? Then sports? talk about career changes, this is just a fine example that one's degree is not the determinant of one's life.
Great blog Matt.
But I didn't see any tennis courts when I visited...Well the Z Center is pretty huge so I probably just missed them.
Heyy...what about Table Tennis?
haha
Posted by: Torffick on February 1, 2009
lol I hope those applicants were serious and didn't mean wii tennis
Posted by: Roshal on February 1, 2009
Posted by: Roshal on February 1, 2009
Posted by: A confused guy on February 1, 2009
Posted by: Carl on February 1, 2009
Posted by: anonymous on February 1, 2009
@Varun: Straight sets in the final? Too boring.
Gruelling battle, naaice!
Posted by: Suril on February 1, 2009
Well, if there's one thing I've learnt from the first 16 years of life, it's resilience! Put the past behind you...
Posted by: Varun on February 1, 2009
Posted by: Ahana on February 1, 2009
Posted by: unamed on February 1, 2009
Posted by: James on February 1, 2009
I wish Federer hadn't cried. I guess losing a match like that is very very hard. You could see it broke him.
It was superb tennis, anyway. Made me want to pick up my racquet and play.
Posted by: Tree on February 1, 2009
Posted by: 0 on February 1, 2009
ugh. wii tennis is a disgrace to the real sport xD
@James
I believe there are 11 courts right outside some of the dorms on west campus, as well as some in their sports center and some scattered around east campus.
if I get in... I really want to live in west campus just because of those 11 tennis courts :-D
table tennis!! I'm not sure, but I'd think there are plenty considering how popular of a sport it must be at a school like MIT (come on, ping pong is so asiany)
Posted by: deng on February 1, 2009
if he did, he is now my hero, FOREVER
Posted by: 0 on February 1, 2009
Posted by: '12 on February 1, 2009
Definitely not. Heh.
Posted by: anonymous on February 1, 2009
Posted by: sepideh on February 1, 2009
Posted by: Shubhham on February 1, 2009
Posted by: Vice on February 1, 2009
It's really cool that someone can go on to do all sort of great things after getting an undergraduate degree in Engineering(and materials science for that matter).
Also, unfortunately Federer lost. And cried. I felt really bad for him. He's a good guy though, as is Nadal, both great ambassadors to the sport. I have no doubt that Fed will eventually beat Sampras' record, he has the fire and passion inside, and will work as hard as needed to get there.
After all, if you look back at that 3rd set, Fed had so many chances. He's just got to deal with the pressure a little better(as well as that nasty lefty spin to the backhand).
Thanks for a great post!
Posted by: Mikey on February 1, 2009
It's really cool that someone can go on to do all sort of great things after getting an undergraduate degree in Engineering(and materials science for that matter).
Also, unfortunately Federer lost. And cried. I felt really bad for him. He's a good guy though, as is Nadal, both great ambassadors to the sport. I have no doubt that Fed will eventually beat Sampras' record, he has the fire and passion inside, and will work as hard as needed to get there.
After all, if you look back at that 3rd set, Fed had so many chances. He's just got to deal with the pressure a little better(as well as that nasty lefty spin to the backhand).
Thanks for a great post!
Posted by: Mikey on February 1, 2009
Posted by: A confused guy on February 2, 2009
@Matt: Thanks for the post- each post tells me something new about MIT! And I must say, almost each time, I'm pleasantly surprised- whether it's getting to know about MIT grads in the sports world or watching that video about Snively's spastic-spidey-bot-thing or his gigantic-snowman! :D
@Anyone-who-cares-about-tennis!
I hope Federer cries again after the next clash with Nadal- tears of joy this time around!
(Who do I support? Rather blatantly obvious,right?)
Anyways- Nadal played well and Federer made mistakes... but I still think Federer PWNs Nadal!
Posted by: Kunaal on February 2, 2009
Posted by: A confused guy on February 2, 2009
Maybe you should read the "Recommended High School Preparation" link on the admission's site. At the bottom of the page it addresses Extracurricular Activities. It discusses doing what is right for you and not what you think is right for MIT. On your application, they want to see you being you - pursuing the things you love. Another good link on the admission's site is "The Match Between You and MIT." Take a look at both of those links and do what you love. As they state on their site, "Cloning is still for sheep." Be your own best person! Good luck!
Posted by: anonymous on February 2, 2009
@ Matt,
thanks for mentioning tennis on your blog
finally, federer cries or admits that it is killing him ( whatever the heck it is).
i hope that emotion will make him even stronger or increases his desire to get this first french title.
I am waiting for some fireworks to unfold from Federer in his first round match at Dubai's ATP Tournament.
Go Federer!
P.S:
Congrats to Rafa, he is definitely in superhuman mode. Hope he continues his form
Posted by: FedererLostAgain on February 2, 2009
One of my teachers' recommendations got lost in the mail, but when I asked him to fax a copy to the office like it said on the tracking page, he asked if there was any other way of sending it, since he doesn't own a fax machine. (Or, presumably, have easy access to one.) So - is it allowed for missing application pieces to be resent through mail or email?
Posted by: Aoede on February 2, 2009
Posted by: Ashwin on February 7, 2009
Right now, I have to chose federer to up his game and give us a competitive five setter(especially a competitive fifth set) as can be seen in verdasco and nadal's match.
Otherwise, sides really don't matter, as both are big-time gladiators.
Personally, I would be more delighted to see myself play or perform than watch someone play.
Unfortunately, not in tennis as of this moment.
Maybe, I could gear myself to perform at that level in other areas.
Posted by: FedererLostAgain on February 7, 2009
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