Blue Devil Alumni Spotlight: Terry Berndt

Name - Terry Berndt
UW-Stout graduation year - 1981
Major - Industrial technology/CAD/CAM
Sport - Tennis
Years Played - 1979,1980
Hometown (High School) - Rhinelander, WI
Currently Reside -  Rhinelander

Why did you choose to be a collegiate student-athlete at UW-Stout?
I chose to be a student/athlete at Stout because I loved the game of tennis and my roommate, Marty Leenhouts, was the No. 1 player on the team at the time and he encouraged me to play. 
 
What did you like most about competing in collegiate athletics? 
I loved the competition to validate the hard practice and mental toughness required to be successful. 
 
What did participating in sports teach you?
The greatest lesson learned was time management. College athletics take away time from studying/classes, but you must maintain focus on class work--that's really why we are in school. 
 
How are you still active in athletics?
I still play tennis and help out with high school team members and am also a high school basketball coach in Rhinelander. 
 
Who was the most influential person in your athletic career?
The most influential person in my athletic career, besides my father, was my high school tennis coach, Jeff Scandin. He was very motivational, and really taught mental as well as physical toughness to win close contests. I wasn't his best player, but nobody out-worked me. This trait has continued to follow me throughout my life. 
 
What is your most memorable or favorite sports moment at UW-Stout?  
My favorite memory was the guys on the team with me. We spent a lot of time together--staying in Menomonie to play tennis during spring break while other students were goofing around on some beach in Florida. Playing two dual meets each day was tough, but a great memory now. Tennis is a life sport, I plan on playing as long as I'm able.