Hood senior Kyle Atras is getting a lot of attention this week.  A great feature story by Hood College sports information director Adrienne Mullikin hit the wires and websites this week, highlighting Atras’ career following a heart transplant when he was less than a year old.  Now in his fourth season swimming for the Blazers, and preparing for his final appearance in the CAC Championships Feb. 18-20 at St. Mary’s College, the INTRODUCING … student-athlete of the week is Kyle Atras.

What is your background in the sport you play?   I started swimming competitively when I was 8 years old on a summer swim team. I began swimming year-round my freshman year of high school.

What is your favorite spot on campus?   My favorite spot on campus is the Whitaker Center because there are always a lot of people there that you can stop and talk to and catch up with friends and maybe make plans for the upcoming weekend.

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you participate in (on campus or off campus)?   I am a part of Blazer Radio, the campus radio station. I am currently calling the men’s and women’s home basketball games that stream live online. Off campus, I am a part of the Gift of Life Donor Program in Philadelphia.

Briefly describe the most memorable experience during your collegiate athletic career.   My most memorable swim meet took place during my freshman year in a meet at Gallaudet University. I was swimming the 1,000 Freestyle, which is 40 laps, and I was trailing a swimmer from Gallaudet for most of the race but kept with him and eventually passed him on lap 33 and was able to beat him. I still remember seeing my coaches on the side yelling and telling me to kick my legs more and being able to turn it up and find that second burst of energy and take the lead. It was definitely my best race in college so far.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?   The most important issue facing college students is trying to find a job in this current market. I know quite a few people that graduated last year that are still having trouble finding something full-time. Plus, with wanting to be a sports broadcaster, it is very selective and difficult to break into.

If you could change any one item in the world (in your personal life, school, community, amateur or professional sports, national/international issue, etc.), what would it be, why, and how would you do it?    The one problem in the world I would change would be to decrease the number of people waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. I was lucky enough to be saved by an organ donor and would be happy to help get others the gift at a second chance at life. I would try and change this by making donating mandatory for people who are able to donate. I have gone to hospitals and schools to spread the message of donation to try and increase the awareness for people to become donors.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?   My major is Journalism, but more specifically Broadcast Journalism. I have learned that to be a successful broadcast journalist you need to be able to work in many areas. With the emergence of blogs and social networks like twitter, you must be constantly updating stories and news.

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?  Dr. Barry Byrne is the most influential person in my life because he was my original cardiologist after my heart transplant when I was 8 ½ months old. He followed me at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore until he moved to Shands Hospital, the hospital on the campus of the University of Florida, where I began to visit him for appointments once a year. I am still in touch with him to this day, although not medically, we keep up with our Florida Gators athletics.

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?  Enjoy being a kid as much as possible because the time will fly right by you. It still feels like yesterday that I started college and now I am one semester from being done and out into the real world. So enjoy it before your stuck looking for a full-time job.

What is your favorite form of entertainment?  Music is my favorite entertainment because I am constantly listening to different music whether on my mp3 player, car stereo or laptop. And I always have to have the right song playing and have the next one in mind to go to.

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  The Florida Gators are by far my favorite team, mainly because of Dr. Byrne who would buy me Gators t-shirts, hats and footballs every time I saw him after he moved there. He has even taken me to a few football and basketball games, too.  It is widely known by friends on campus that I am obsessed with the Gators.

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?    Tim Tebow (former Gators quarterback), Rod Brind’Amour (NHL player), and movie director Mel Brooks.  I chose Brind'Amour and Tebow because they are my two favorite sports players and I take bits and pieces from them in how I play sports, for example by being hard working and show determination every time I go practice or swim in a meet. I would have Mel Brooks there to keep the mood light and to have some jokes and laughter throughout the meal!