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Summer Spotlight: Antonio Shenault
8/7/2018 10:59:00 AM | Football
Antonio Shenault is one of the most experienced players on the entire Minnesota football roster this season. He has 33 games under his belt at defensive back with 16 starts. He has made 111 tackles and has deflected seven passes. This summer Shenault interned in the University of Minnesota athletics student development office and could be found volunteering all over the community. We caught up with the senior sport management major below.
Antonio Shenault: I already have good relationships with the people that work there such as Anissa, Linda, Peyton and Quincy so receiving the opportunity to work with them for a summer, I just thought why not? They are all great people so getting a behind-the-scenes look at how they help us out as student-athletes was extremely cool.
GS: Football is very consistent in the notion of serving and giving and this internship certainly goes along with that. Can you expand on some of the events that you have been able to attend throughout this summer?
AS: Besides student-athlete development, more specifically I was able to help with a lot of the volunteer opportunities. Being able to help with the Hope Kids events and the event we had in Cross Lake, Minn., called Camp Odayin was my favorite experience from the summer. It was amazing to spend some time with these kids that have been diagnosed with heart disease, but of course you wouldn't be able to tell because they were having so much fun and they were so excited. That was definitely my favorite experience from the summer. Camp Odayin allowed me to put my life into perspective. Whenever I thought times were getting hard with football or school, I get a chance to look back at that event and remember what hard times really look like and become more grateful for my life.
GS: What is your primary responsibility with your internship?
AS: Along with Linda Roberts, I am in charge of setting up the Hope Day Festival on September 9, I hope everyone can make it there. It's really cool because I have attended the event every year I have been here and being able to be a part of the planning and preparation that goes into the event makes it a little bit more stressful, but very rewarding as well.
GS: Anything new in store for this season?
AS: Linda (Roberts) has been helping me a lot with setting up the event. I can't tell you everything because I want some things to be a secret, but I think everyone will have a lot of fun this year, just like they have in the past.
GS: What long term skills have you improved on through your experience at this internship?
AS: The ability to communicate, to create a plan, prepare for an event and being able to see all of the things that go into these type of events. I have gained a lot of volunteer experience my past three years here but being able to witness how tedious every task is and how detail-orientated you have to be in order to succeed, I think I can take that lesson into any future profession I may have.
GS: Football season is right around the corner. What are you most looking forward to?
AS: Just spending one last season with my teammates. I have become so close with all of these guys so it will be tough to leave them at the end of the year, but we have a few more months together and I plan on taking advantage of that.
Gopher Sports: How did you decide to get involved with the Student Development Office as an intern?Yesterday Antonio Shenault pulled a community service two-fer. Cubs kids camp in the afternoon then Loaves and Fishes in the evening. If you throw in HopeKidsMN last Saturday that's three in less than a week! We appreciate the grind!@tonythegreat20 pic.twitter.com/kpSMsUZVq9
— Norries Wilson (@NorriesWilson) June 21, 2018
Antonio Shenault: I already have good relationships with the people that work there such as Anissa, Linda, Peyton and Quincy so receiving the opportunity to work with them for a summer, I just thought why not? They are all great people so getting a behind-the-scenes look at how they help us out as student-athletes was extremely cool.
GS: Football is very consistent in the notion of serving and giving and this internship certainly goes along with that. Can you expand on some of the events that you have been able to attend throughout this summer?
AS: Besides student-athlete development, more specifically I was able to help with a lot of the volunteer opportunities. Being able to help with the Hope Kids events and the event we had in Cross Lake, Minn., called Camp Odayin was my favorite experience from the summer. It was amazing to spend some time with these kids that have been diagnosed with heart disease, but of course you wouldn't be able to tell because they were having so much fun and they were so excited. That was definitely my favorite experience from the summer. Camp Odayin allowed me to put my life into perspective. Whenever I thought times were getting hard with football or school, I get a chance to look back at that event and remember what hard times really look like and become more grateful for my life.
GS: What is your primary responsibility with your internship?
AS: Along with Linda Roberts, I am in charge of setting up the Hope Day Festival on September 9, I hope everyone can make it there. It's really cool because I have attended the event every year I have been here and being able to be a part of the planning and preparation that goes into the event makes it a little bit more stressful, but very rewarding as well.
GS: Anything new in store for this season?
AS: Linda (Roberts) has been helping me a lot with setting up the event. I can't tell you everything because I want some things to be a secret, but I think everyone will have a lot of fun this year, just like they have in the past.
GS: What long term skills have you improved on through your experience at this internship?
AS: The ability to communicate, to create a plan, prepare for an event and being able to see all of the things that go into these type of events. I have gained a lot of volunteer experience my past three years here but being able to witness how tedious every task is and how detail-orientated you have to be in order to succeed, I think I can take that lesson into any future profession I may have.
GS: Football season is right around the corner. What are you most looking forward to?
AS: Just spending one last season with my teammates. I have become so close with all of these guys so it will be tough to leave them at the end of the year, but we have a few more months together and I plan on taking advantage of that.
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