Sophomore Bryan Kordupel (Engineering/Boardman, Ohio) gives YSUsports.com an update in this Q&A session.
Why did you choose to come to Youngstown State?
I grew up in Youngstown, so it was very nice to stay local. Not only was I able to play golf here, but the university also has a highly-regarded engineering program.
How did you get started in your sport? / Where did your passion for your sport originate?
As a kid, my father would always take me with him when he played with his buddies or went to the driving range. Competitively, I started getting into it my freshman year of high school. With no car and Mill Creek Park Golf course within a half-mile, it was something fun to do in the summertime.
Who or what has been the biggest influence or inspiration during your athletic career?
Definitely my father, but I can't forget about several other people. After my father passed away in 2014, there were so many people who taught me life lessons on and off the course. I worked at a golf course in my mid-teens for Scott MacDonald. He went way out of his way to be a mentor and friend, but also set me straight when I needed to be.
What has been your favorite part about being a student-athlete at YSU?
The connections I've made not only within my sport, but with the trainers, strength coaches, other athletes and coaches, the athletic department and the community. It's great to have so many people around you that genuinely care about your success.
What is your favorite memory or moment during your time at YSU?
This past year watching both my teammates win their first collegiate tournaments. In the fall, Kevin Scherr won a tournament at a Power Five school (West Virginia) and played so well in tough, wet and rainy conditions. Ken Keller won a few weeks ago at Mission Inn, and I got to watch him battle through some major adversity on the last hole. Both of these guys are grinders, they put in the work when nobody is watching, and it was really cool to see them bring some hardware home.
Do you have a favorite place or venue that you've traveled to or competed at during your time at YSU?
Las Vegas. We played in Boulder City last spring, and in St. George, Utah, this spring. I have never been out west before, and it was really cool to see how different it is. Both years, we also played a famous golf course in Mesquite called Wolf Creek, which I would highly recommend. The views and mountains are unbelievable.
What are you studying academically and why?
I'm majoring in Industrial Engineering. I've always done really well in math classes, and I love to problem solve.
What are your plans and goals after graduation?
I would love to continue to develop my game and play some bigger events. I also would like to find a job either in Youngstown or a little closer to my parents in West Palm Beach, Fla.
What would be your advice to other student-athletes in terms of managing athletics and academics?
You have to put the work in, but it's hard to do everything at once. In terms of time management, I don't really believe in balancing your time. I think that's an impossible concept that causes many people to stress more. There are certain periods where school requires more attention than your sport and vice versa.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of your sport?
Anything where I'm active. I love lifting weights, running, playing pick-up basketball games with my buddies and especially the spikeball matches with my teammates.
What are you doing to stay in shape during this time?
I'm at my parents' house in Florida, so the weather has been really nice. Lots of running, swimming and at-home bodyweight stuff. Our strength coach, Jake Tuura, is always reaching out to give us stuff to do. I also do some things with my mom, like yoga or kayaking.
What was your reaction when you found out the season was coming to an end?
We felt a lot of things - anger, disappointment, frustration. The team was confident that we could prove ourselves at our conference championship this year. To be working hard all year for a goal and have something like this take it away, it sucks. But we understand there are bigger things to focus on in the world than sports right now.
What do you miss most about being around the team and playing your sport?
The competition. I love competition no matter if it's on the course, in the classroom, with my buddies or other athletes. Doesn't matter who you are, I want to win and I want to beat you.
What have you learned throughout this whole situation? How has it changed your perspective on things?
Sometimes going through the daily grind of being a student-athlete, we forget the more important things in life. This is a good time to reflect that it doesn't really matter if your ball goes in the hole or if you get a hit or a strikeout. There are bigger issues in life to focus our energy on. I'm definitely taking this chance to spend more time with my family.
What are your personal and team goals for next season?
A conference championship, and nothing short of it. We have so much talent on this team, and I know we can do it. We'd be the first golf team to win conference in school history, and that would be special. Coach Joy has been here for a long time; he deserves it and we owe it to him.
