F
or some student-athletes, the transition
BRUNSKOG
from high school to college means venturing
Tennessee, but ultimately chose the Sunshine
over oceans and passing through country
State to pursue his tennis career beginning in
boundaries in hopes of bettering their lives
2010. As a freshman at UCF, he posted overall
and education within the United States. These
records of 8-20 in singles and 7-8 in doubles.
students leave the comfort of their homes,
During his second and final year at Central
their families and their native language and
Florida, BRUNSKOG played in the No. 1 singles
culture, to explore the world that is American
position, and recorded an overall record of 10-
academia.
19 in singles and 11-14 in doubles.
ERIK BRUNSKOG ,
was also recruited by Middle
the lone senior on the 2013-14
“I liked the weather in Florida,” BRUNSKOG
Illinois State men’s tennis team, is the definition
said. “And the location of the tennis facility. It
of such a student.Throughout his college career,
was located in the middle of campus, next to
has faced many battles both on and
the Student Recreation Center and swimming
BRUNSKOG
off the tennis court. Transferring universities,
pool.”
familiarizing himself with new coaches, and persevering through injuries include some
But following his sophomore year at Central
of the challenges he has encountered and
Florida, BRUNSKOG decided to transfer to
gracefully handled, all without crushing his
Illinois State. The chance to attend ISU’s well-
spirit. BRUNSKOG has shown his ability to excel
known State Farm College of Business helped
in college athletics and academics no matter
BRUNSKOG
make his final decision.
what he is faced with. BRUNSKOG , a
22-year-old from Linkoping, a city
in southern Sweden, began his tennis career at the age of seven, when he first started playing.
“I chose Illinois State mostly because of the business program. I did not know too much about ISU or BloomingtonNormal otherwise,” he said.
After high school, BRUNSKOG looked forward to a future playing tennis in the United States.
Leaving home and making the transition from
Connections with other players who had
high school to college is difficult enough as
chosen this path led him to his previous school
an exchange student-athlete, and transferring
and first university he attended in the U.S., the
again midway through can add additional
University of Central Florida.
stress to an already hectic life. BRUNSKOG not only handled the transition with ease, but he
“A Swedish guy played there [at UCF] before
proved to be a great fit for Illinois State tennis,
and knew I was looking for a school in the
excelling during his first year as a Redbird in
U.S.,” BRUNSKOG said. “He told me Central
both doubles and singles play.
Florida was looking for a player, and then it just took off from there.”
BRUNSKOG joined the team under the instruction
of former ISU head coach CRIS JAMES , who
was in his sixth year at the helm. As a junior,
thrown at BRUNSKOG . But as a leader of the
dominated in doubles competition,
team, BRUNSKOG feels the squad has adapted
BRUNSKOG
receiving a national doubles ranking of 58th
well to the new coaching staff.
and a regional ranking of No. 4 with partner ALEXANDER PELAEZ . BRUNSKOG
and PELAEZ also
“The new coaching staff is really nice and they
defeated the No. 3 doubles team in the country
know a lot about tennis,” BRUNSKOG said. “Our
at the ITA Regionals Championships in October
old coach [JAMES ] had a lot of knowledge and
2012, an impressive
was a nice person as
feat for any athlete,
well, and he is doing a
but even more so
good job coaching at
for one who had just
Notre Dame now.”
recently
transferred
universities. When
This season, BRUNSKOG
asked
about
has been coping with
highlights
during
an injury, preventing
his
career,
him from playing. He
reflected
hopes to be healthy
Redbird
BRUNSKOG
back
on
his
time
by
late-April,
when
playing with PELAEZ ,
Illinois State will host
as
the
well
as
his
Missouri
Valley
successes in singles
Conference Tennis Team
competition
Championships.
last
season. “My senior year hasn’t “I recorded a singles
been the best year so
record of 14 wins and
far,”
six losses during the
“I have been out of
spring 2013 season,”
competition
BRUNSKOG
said. “And
BRUNSKOG
said. most
of the time due to
based on that, I was
injuries.”
named to the Missouri Valley Conference AllSelect Team at the MVC Championships.”
In the final match before sustaining his injury – during the MVC Individual Championships in
This season, BRUNSKOG and the team paired
the 2013 fall season – he was defeated by No.
up with a new coach, MARK KLYSNER , and
6-seeded JONNY RIGBY of Southern Illinois, 6-2,
assistant coach, MATEJ ZLATKOVIC , marking the
6-3. BRUNSKOG then lost to Bradley’s JUSTIN
first season at Illinois State for both coaches.
ABRAMS
Beginning another year with a new coach is
season’s competition.
just one more curveball that college tennis has
in three sets, 2-6, 7-6, 10-5, to end the
The current season marks the fourth and final
“If I go back home, I will try to get a job within
that BRUNSKOG will play during his college
the finance field,” BRUNSKOG continued. “And if
career. In May, he will graduate with a business
that does not work out, I have applied to grad
degree as he prepares to embark on the next
school in Sweden and in Denmark as a backup
stage of his life. While four years may be a long
plan.”
time to live abroad, BRUNSKOG has had the opportunity to visit his home often.
BRUNSKOG ’s
ability to play tennis and excel
in new environments despite challenging “I have been going back home to Sweden
circumstances has allowed him the opportunity
every summer and winter break during my
to travel across the Atlantic and submerse
years in college,” he said. “It is not too hard
himself in a foreign culture while attending an
being away from home because I got used to
American university. As he prepares to depart
it pretty quickly, and I can always Skype with
from the place he has called home for two
people from back home.”
years, he leaves the younger members of the team with some personal advice.
The first time BRUNSKOG arrived at Central Florida was in fact the first time he had touched
“Stay ahead in school, then everything else
down in the United States, and thanks to his
will become much easier,” BRUNSKOG said.
quick adaption, the varying customs in the U.S.
“Enjoy the time in college, because it goes by
from those instilled in Sweden haven’t seemed
really quick. And work hard on the court, even
to faze him much.
if it can be tough at times. They will have great memories when they are done.
“Sometimes I miss the Swedish food and candy,” he said. “Otherwise, nothing specific. Most things are cheaper in the U.S., so that’s pretty nice.” Upon graduation, the future is unclear for BRUNSKOG .
Whether he will remain in the
United States or make the journey back home to Sweden is unknown. The possibility of staying in the U.S. is one that BRUNSKOG has considered. “I would like to stay in the U.S. if I can find work,” he said. “Preferably in a big city, but it is pretty complicated to stay in the U.S. as an international student. We will see.”
“I am sure I will continue to play tennis, but I don’t know at the moment how much,” BRUNSKOG said. “Time will tell.”