By Caroline Lindstrom
Staff writer
Freshman Vince Schneider traveled all the way from Mannheim, Germany, to play tennis for the Bears. Schneider reached the 2012 Doubles Finals in the German Championships, won both the singles and doubles competition in the 2012 ITF Tournament, and was named to the German Junior Davis Cup Team. As a Bear, Schneider has competed in both doubles and single matches in the Big 12.
Q: What is your favorite part about competing in America?
A: It is way better than Germany because there is more stuff around you, and the facilities are way better. The whole environment is like being a small professional because everything is taken care of for you. You’re not on your own, but have a great team which makes a good atmosphere. Scholarships aren’t possible in Germany, so that is good about America.
Q: What is better about competing in Europe?
A: It is just different because you are own your own, but for some people that is better. You are with your own with your coach and no team. You don’t have to go to college.
Q: Which country do you like better?
A: I like America for athletic reasons, but I prefer Germany for living and everything else. I especially don’t agree with American politics. The truth hurts.
Q: What is something you like to do in America outside of playing tennis.
A: I like to play golf, hangout with my sorority friends and teammates. I love Teriyaki Park and Texas Roadhouse. I like Texas Roadhouse for the burgers, ribs, barbecue and actually anything that has meat. We don’t have barbecue like that in Germany. We go for quality and not quantity.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Baylor?
A: I don’t know what it is like at other universities, but I love how everybody is going crazy about athletics. Its awesome because in Germany we don’t have athletic teams for universities. It is cool to see how everyone stands behind the university.
Q: What is your least favorite part about America?
A: People act like they are friendly, but they aren’t always being real. They don’t always like you even though they are nice to you. People always say, “Have a great day” but duh, you should want me to have a great day.
Q: Do you ever miss Germany?
A: Normally not, I am in constant communication with my family, and it is not for a really long time. My sister is actually visiting me for Easter, and I go home for Christmas and summer, so it is not that bad.
Q: Does the tennis team serve as your family in America?
A: Yes, it’s great. I love the team, and the coaches belong to the family as well. The managers and trainers are also a part of my American family. They are the people I am with on and off the court, so we are really close. The team is basically the only people that matter because they are always there for you. I can count on the coaches to do anything for me as well. We somehow never get pissed at each other so it is great.
Q: Do you like the schooling in America?
A: It is super easy. I think it is strange you have homework, because in Germany you don’t have to attend classes. The attendance policy here is a joke. In Germany, you can just show up for the examinations and it is on you if you fail the class. In Germany college is free, so if you make a certain GPA in high school you can move on to a university.
Q: What are your plans with tennis in the summer and after graduation?
A: In the summer I will play in the league in Germany, and I don’t know yet if I will go pro yet after college. It is very hard to go pro and few people actually make it to the pro series. It is risky to go pro, so I think I will see what job offers I get, then decide. I am open for anything.
