Meet the Freshmen: Kyle Weeks
10/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Oct. 28, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Freshman Kyle Weeks has come along way from his home state of California to join the Crimson Tide.
Weeks, a freestyler and butterflyer joins the Crimson Tide from Poway, Calif. where he swam for Tim Fuller at Poway High School and for Scott Lawson at Inland Coastal Aquatics. Weeks was named the Poway High School MVP from 2006 to 2008 and First Team All-Academic in 2007 and 2008.
Not only has Weeks had to adjust being 2,000 miles away from home but also to the intense level of competitive college swimming here at Alabama.
"It has been a rough transition, but I'm glad the team and coaching staff are very supportive," Weeks said. "The upperclassmen have been great as well. They understand what it's like to adjust to college life and they have been mentors to all the freshmen."
His parents were very supportive of his decision to come to The University of Alabama; however his friends were not as understanding. Weeks' father, an entrepreneur, encouraged Weeks to "do something different no one else would do."
"A lot of my decision to come to Alabama was based on faith. I knew they had an awesome business school," Weeks said. "And when I came on my recruiting trip last year it just felt right. I fell in love with the team and knew it was the best place for me to be."
Weeks has enjoyed getting to know his fellow teammates in and out of swim practice.
"It's been awesome getting to know everyone. I'm not treated like a freshman here," Weeks said. "I earned my respect, now I'm just one of the guys."
The two-a-day practices have already challenged Weeks to take his swimming to the next level.
"I'm very proud to workout with my teammates, to even be in the same lane as some of the athletes on this team is an honor," Weeks said. "I know that in the end of the season the tough workouts will just make me stronger."
The Tide's first home meet of the season against Delta State reminded Weeks that he is swimming for more than himself, or even the current squad. . "The meets represent the whole school," Weeks said. "We're swimming for the years of tradition that the university has established in its athletic programs."
Weeks is following in his father's footsteps by studying finance with a focus in entrepreneurship. After college he hopes to attend grad school and work for a big business then eventually branch off to do something of his own.
"I want to be an entrepreneur," Weeks said. "Entrepreneurs are the people who change the world and that's exciting."
When Weeks isn't swimming he enjoys long boarding around campus and hanging out with his teammates.
Players Mentioned
