Emoryathletics.com begins its senior spotlight series with a look at current student-athlete Max Mehlman from the men's soccer team.
Name: Max Mehlman
Hometown (High School): Denver, CO (Kent Denver School)
Sport: Men's Soccer
Major: Finance and Real Estate
How did you start getting involved with soccer? How old were you when you started playing?
I started playing when I was 3 or 4 years old. My parents put me on a team, and I haven't looked back.
Do you have any plans for after graduation?
I am planning to take an extra semester at Emory to finish my last season of college soccer, and then I plan to work for a commercial real estate company in Atlanta.
What is one piece of advice you would give to your freshman self?
I would tell myself to focus on enjoying my time at Emory and not worry so much about things that are out of my control. After missing out on our spring and fall seasons, I realized just how special Emory is. I would love to go back and do it all again.
Which Emory faculty or staff member has made the greatest impact on you and why?
It is hard to pick one staff member that has had the greatest impact on me. If I had to name one it would probably be Drew Williams, our strength coach. Drew is one of the best coaches I've ever had. He is one of the most friendly, down-to-earth people on this campus, but he also knows how to separate being our friends and being our coach. If someone is not giving him their best effort, he will be the first person to point that out, and I think that is very valuable. Our team's culture has improved a lot in my four years here, and I attribute a lot of that to him.
What is one class you would retake just for fun and why?
I would retake Entrepreneurial Private Equity with Klaas Baks. This was the hardest course I have taken at Emory, but I really enjoyed it and learned more than any other class that I have ever taken.
What is the most unique thing about your hometown?
I am from Denver, Colorado. We have some of the best mountains in the world, right in our backyard. That is something that only a handful of people get to experience.
What is something that people may not know about you but should?
I have been studying Mandarin Chinese since middle school, and I lived in Shanghai for a short period of time.
Other than the sport you play, what is another one you think you could play at a high level?
I honestly think I may like basketball even more than soccer. I played basketball through high school, and I still try to play every once in a while.
Who is one professional athlete (past or present) you would like to have a conversation with and why?
One professional athlete that I would like to have a conversation with is N'golo Kanté, a center midfielder for Chelsea. He is widely regarded as one of the most humble, friendly players when he is off the field, but he is also one of the more tenacious and hard-nosed players in the premier league. I'd love to know how he separates his mentality on the field from his mentality off the field.
How have you been trying to occupy your time with given the current COVID environment?
One hobby that I have picked up during COVID is cooking. My dad has always been a great chef, so I am trying to get some recipes under my belt in case we ever have a cook-off.
Food you hate that everybody else seems to enjoy?
I've never been a fan of grits, but everyone in the South seems to love them.
What would you say are your top three movies and television shows of all time?
Friday Night Lights, Just Mercy, and The Blind Side.
What is your favorite thing to do around Atlanta?
I love to walk/run on the beltline
What has been your most memorable moment during competition during your Eagles career?
During my sophomore year we played against Washington and Lee on a Friday night in our stadium. We were both ranked in the top-15, and we were down 3-1 at half time. We fought back and won the game 4-3. That was one of the craziest games I have ever played.
What would be one thing you'd like to impart to the underclassmen before finishing your career?
I would tell underclassmen to enjoy every single moment. There will always be days where you don't feel like going to early morning lifts, going into the training room before practice, or working your hardest. When you're in the moment, you don't realize how special it is. Enjoy the long bus rides with your teammates, enjoy laying around the locker room for hours after training, and don't take anything for granted.