West Virginia State University Athletics

Player Spotlight Series No. 2

Name: Austin Gessel
Sport: Men's Tennis/Football
Year: Senior
Hometown: St. Albans, W.Va.
High School: St. Albans
Major: Communications

Q: Why did you choose West Virginia State?
A: It was the best fit for me academically, location-wise, and made my dream of playing college sports possible.

Q: What has been your best moment since you became a Yellow Jacket?
A: The 2018 Hilton Head Island Tournament with the tennis team. We stayed a week down there and it was so much fun, plus we did pretty good.

Q: How did you get into playing your sport?
A: I started playing football in high school. My buddy made a deal with me that if he played football with me, I would play tennis with him. All in all, both sports were super fun and I just stayed playing both.

Q: What's your favorite spot on campus?
A: The upstairs library showing most of the campus. There's a big window on the second floor where you can see all of campus and it's just really beautiful.

Q: What's your favorite place to go to off campus?
A: River's Edge Cafe in St.Albans. It's the place to go near State. They have the best wings and ranch you'll have anywhere.

Q: What's your favorite class since you've been a student here?
A: Definitely my filmmaking class. The videos we shot and produced were super fun. I learned a lot in that class.

Q: What do you see yourself doing in five years?
A: Hopefully getting a job in West Virginia so I can stay home. I really have no intentions to leave this state but we'll see when that road comes. I also see myself traveling a ton too with many vacations. Bora Bora is my dream vacation.

Q: What is something that people might not know about you?
A: I love cats. I've loved them my entire life. I like dogs too, but cats have a very special spot in my heart.

Q: If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be and why?
A: Flying so I can save money and not pay for gas for my car.

Q: Pick one person to hang out with (can be a celebrity), one show to watch, and one snack to eat if you were stranded on an island for the rest of your life.
A: Pat McAfee, love that dude. And 'The 100' is a great show. Tyson Chicken would be my pick for the snack. Candy-wise, I'd go with Twix.