Tracey Pavlishin spent two seasons with the Emory University women's swimming and diving program, helping the Eagles to back-to-back ninth place finishes at the 1996 and 1997 national championships. During her two seasons with the Blue & Gold, Pavlishin reached All-America status in five events including individual honors in the 400 IM and 100 Breaststroke in 1996 and in the 400 IM in 1997. In addition, she captured a total of 11 All-University Athletic Association performances, was a seven-time UAA event champion and led Emory to two UAA team titles.
Q: Can you tell us what your occupation is and where you are living?
TP: I live in Chicago. I am senior director of marketing for Kearney, a global management consulting firm. I oversee the firm's Americas region marketing, global internal communications, recruitment marketing, and alumni program.
Q: Can you give an update on some of your experiences post-Emory to where you are now?
TP: After Emory, I lived in Washington DC for a few years before moving to Chicago. I spent 15 years working in non-profit management developing alumni programs and transformational fundraising initiatives. Looking to improve my quantitative skills, I attended the University of Chicago for my MBA. I often describe my role at Kearney as supporting the employee lifecycle—from potential hire to employee to alumni, and in many cases to client.
Q: What were the primary reasons in choosing Emory as a college destination?
TP: First, I was naïve. I wanted to attend college close to home. Emory was a 7-hour drive from my hometown, which was comforting to me. Second, I knew I wanted to swim in college and Emory had the right mix of athletic competition and academic rigor for me. And of course, I fell in love with the beautiful campus.
Q: Reflections upon your time at Emory, both as a member of the swim team and as a student?
TP: My time at Emory taught me to be independent in my thinking, in my values, and in the choices I make.
Q: Who were some influential people during your time at Emory?
TP: Coach Pete Smith looms large in my Emory memory. So too were upperclassmen swimmers who were welcoming and kind to me when I didn't know the way. My roommates over the years and also my training partners; all of whom played a part in my personal development.
I was fortunate to take many interesting courses at Emory on topics such as Women & Gender Studies, the history of the Olympics (leading up to the 1996 Olympics when Atlanta was the host city), and a political science course with former President Jimmy Carter. Professors that I remember fondly include Richard Doner, Hong Li, Ha Jin, and James Taulbee.
Q: You had an impressive two-year stint with the team that included five All-America honors and seven UAA event titles. You were also the first freshman in team history to earn multiple individual All-America honors as a freshman, claiming a top-8 finish in the 400 IM and 200 Breast and added a top-8 effort in the 200 Medley Relay. Looking back on your first national meet in 1996, is there still a moment or two that still resonates with you over two decades later?
TP: More than the meet, what I remember is training over Spring Break when the campus was empty! I also remember the team solidarity in training, preparing, and cheering for everyone's individual best performance and our team success. People often think of swimming as an individual sport and for much of my career this was true, but at Emory and especially at NCAAs I felt part of something bigger than myself. I felt part of a team—that spirit of comradery and solidarity is what I remember.
Q: To go along with that, you were able to swim in several big events over your career. Can you describe what your preparation style was like and how you got ready to compete in those events?
TP: I believe that preparation takes place during practice prior to the competition. On meet days, I do my best to relax and trust in my training. I get plenty of rest. I drink lots of water. I stretch. I close my eyes and visualize my race. I stick to my routine. If I am being completely honest, my pre-race preparation is not one that should be emulated, as it included coffee and M&M's.
Q: Other Highlights (team, individual or other) that you remember while swimming at Emory?
More than major events, for me, the small daily interactions are what I remember. The shared meals at Eats and Tortillas. Breakfast at the DUC following morning practice. The team travel to meets and training trips. The locker room conversations. These memories when stitched together are the moments that mattered to me.
Q: How are you surviving the pandemic and how has it affected you?
TP: With lots of family time. Since March 13, my husband and I have been in the privileged position of being able to work from home. Schools in our town were briefly open for three weeks this year, otherwise our boys have been in remote learning.
One silver lining from the pandemic is that it forced time to slow down. We are less scheduled, so we enjoy the simple things in life—family meals, bike rides, longer walks, and the luxury of being bored.
We don't often talk about this, but due to the pandemic my mental health is paralyzing me in ways I have never experienced. Regularly I wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning with my mind racing, yet I lack the motivation to get things done. I find myself confronted for the first time with stress, anxiety, and depression. I am learning to give myself permission to create time for restorative activities. Mental illness thrives in secrecy, so I hope by sharing my experience that it sparks conversations. Let's ask one another, Are you ok?
Q: Any interests/hobbies or things you do to relax when away from work?
TP: Just like many parents my free time is devoted to the school, sports, and social commitments of my children. Pre-COVID my go-to relaxation activity was a visit to the nail salon for a manicure and pedicure.
Q: How did you begin your swimming career? How old were you?
TP: My mom taught my older brother and I how to swim. She is from a swimming family—all six of her siblings were swimmers. My mom competed in the Asian Games and she has a sister who represented Taiwan in the 1968 Olympic Summer Games. I have been swimming for as long as I can remember.
Q: Any former teammates that you are in contact with?
TP: To be honest, I wish I kept in touch with more teammates. The one person I have stayed consistently in touch with since we met 25 years ago is Charlie Atwater.
Q: Are you able to keep up with Emory swimming & diving?
TP: Coach Jon Howell does a great job keeping alumni connected to the program. His emails not only provide updates on students and team performance, but also opportunities to get involved and support the team. This year he brought alumni together for a Zoom call and launched a mentor program, which I am participating in.
Q: How would you categorize your thoughts on the rise of the women's program from when you were a student to where it is today?
TP: Simply stated, "Wow, they are fast!" I am impressed by the evolution of the team. Not just the speed of the swimmers, but the sophistication of the program. The Emory team I know and love was more of a community than a powerhouse. I am honored to be part of the history of the team. I proudly claim my Emory Swimming & Diving Team affiliation.
Q: Is there anything that you take from being a student-athlete into your profession?
Being a student-athlete at Emory taught me discipline, how to work hard in the pool and also in the classroom. As a result, I am really good at managing my time. As a student-athlete I learned how to set goals, how to achieve them, and how to re-group when you fall short. I use these skills everyday.
Q: Any advice you would give Emory students/future grads?
TP: Aim for the B. This advice from my husband to his younger brother is the advice I wish I would have received earlier in my life. It doesn't mean don't study hard and don't be prepared to do your best, but rather enjoy life and seek out experiences.
Remind yourself not to sweat the small stuff. Push yourself to get off the sideline and into the action. Life is about experiences and you don't want them to pass you by because you are staying in your comfort zone.
Q: Any other items you would want to share?
TP: I live in Chicago with my husband, two sons, and my mom. I do my best to swim 3,600 yards once or twice a week. Please reach out to me, I am always happy to help an Emory student or alum.
Tracey with her husband, two sons and mother. She currently lives in Chicago and works as a senior director of marketing for Kearney.