FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Jay Glotzbach, Greencastle

Jay is a senior at Greencastle and participates in one sport, tennis. He is the son of Kristi Hayden and Paul Glotzbach.

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Banner Graphic: How important are sports to you, and what have you learned from them?

Jay Glotzbach: “Sports are really important to me, having been around them my whole life. They help me stay in shape and you meet a lot of cool people as a result. You learn a lot about hard work and dedication, especially playing tennis year-round. It takes a lot of effort on and off the court, lifting and staying in shape.”

BG: Talk about tennis.

JG: “Growing up, I was following the sports my brother played. When I was seven, I started with youth soccer through PCYSL. I also did a couple of years of youth basketball with Indy Hoops. The first time I picked up a tennis racket seriously was in eighth grade. I started doing that year-round, which helps me focus in and be as good as I can be.”

BG: What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in sports?

JG: “This year, during challenge matches, I broke my nose. My opponent hit a short shot right at the net. I was sprinting to the net but started sliding right at the net. I put my hands up to grab the net but still had the racquet in my hand and hit myself in the face. I still finished the match.”

BG: What does your game day routine look like?

JG: “I try to get plenty of rest the night before. If we’re at home, I go home, grab a quick sandwich, warm up for about an hour and then watch my opponent warm up so I can strategize a little bit. If it’s away, we hang out at the school and I try to get a few people together in the halls and jump rope a little bit to stay moving before we get to where we’re going.”

BG: Do you have any favorite college/pro sports teams or athletes you follow?

JG: “Purdue for sure. My grandparents, parents, cousins, everyone went there, so I always follow them and try to go to a lot of football and basketball games. My dad and I also get up to at least one tennis match a year. If I went to Indiana, I think I’d get kicked out of the family. As far as tennis players, Novak Djokovic is my favorite player to watch.”

BG: When you were a younger player, you had a couple of older players at singles positions to help guide you. You’re now in the opposite position where you’re the senior with a pair of younger players at the other singles positions. How are you helping those younger players?

JG: “I’m trying to be the best role model I can be, make sure everyone is hustling as much as possible during practice, make sure the effort is there and try to help them become the best players they can be. I give advice when I see something and try to help them where I can.”

BG: What else do you do at school besides things involving sports?

JG: “I’m in NHS, a student ambassador and have managed the past three years for the girls’ tennis team.”

BG: What do you like to do outside of school and sports?

JG: “I work a lot outside of school, including at a bodyshop, where I do detailing, as well an eBay business where I buy broken phones and computers, refurbish them and sell them. I also work out a lot, trying to keep a routine, not only for tennis but to stay in the best shape I can.”

BG: What was the last book you read?

JG: “I'm not the biggest book reader anymore. I read a lot of sports articles to keep up on things. The last book I read was a tennis book about three years ago."

BG: ...the last television show/movie you watched?

JG: “I'm also not much of a movie person either. If I watch TV, it'd be a sporting event, like the NFL, MLB or college basketball."

BG: ...the last song you had to listen to right that moment?

JG: “Zach Bryan's 'Hey Driver.'"

BG: Your practice/event was canceled for the night. With free time in hand you didn’t anticipate having, what are you off to go do?

JG: “Probably head home and spend time with my family. I like to play games like ping pong or pool with them."

BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?

JG: “Sticking with tennis, I've always wanted to play on a grass tennis court. I've watched it and it always looks interesting."

BG: What is your biggest fear?

JG: “This goes along with my career plans but the acceptance rate of getting in to vet school at Purdue is really slim, so my fear would not be getting in."

BG: You’ve been placed in charge of making dinner. What’s on the menu?

JG: “I'd make tacos. I love tacos."

BG: Do you have any pets?

JG: “As a family, we have a lot of pets, but personally I have two Newfoundland dogs named Bear and Panda, along with three other dogs, a couple of hermit crabs and six cats."

BG: If your house were on fire, all living things were already out and you have your keys, cell phone, wallet/purse etc., what is one thing you would go back and get?

JG: “I've been fixing phones for several years and have a pretty big collection of them. I have five first generation iPhones that I have displayed on my desk. I'd grab that."

BG: A family member has hit the lottery. After everything is paid off and money is set away for the future, you’ve been asked to buy something you have always wanted to get. What are you asking for?

JG: “My first thought would to go on a family vacation somewhere. It'd be cool to travel somewhere and watch a pro tennis tournament. Going to watch the US Open with the family would be cool."

BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what would that word be and why?

JG: “Outgoing. Whether it's in school, in-between classes, tennis matches or wherever, I try to talk to people as much as I can."

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

JG: “I went with my family to Tennessee where we stayed in a tree house on a farm. I had never done that before. The owners gave us a tour of the place and everything. It was about an hour west of Nashville."

BG: What was your favorite school field trip? (From any year, not just high school)

JG: “My mom was just talking about this the other day but the Harris Sugar Bush farm was a lot of fun. We did a lot of cool stuff and learned how to make maple syrup."

BG: How important is support from those around you to your success?

JG: “It's definitely very important having support from my family. No matter what sport I've wanted to play and where I've wanted to go, except IU of course, they've encouraged me in what I've done. If I've wanted to go to a tournament in the state, they've been willing to take me there and cheer me on. Support from friends in school and the encouragement they gave me is important."

BG: Describe your overall school experience both academically and athletically.

JG: “Up until high school, my brother and I were homeschooled. Freshman year, I went to school for a period so I could play tennis and went full time starting my sophomore year. It was definitely a big change for sure but overall, I've liked it and it's been fun. Getting to see my friends everyday only adds to it. I knew a lot of kids from my involvement in basketball, soccer and tennis throughout the years, but it was still a lot different. Tennis has always been fun and something I could look forward to after school."

BG: If your school was to offer a class it currently doesn’t, what would you want to see taught?

JG: “I wish there was a class that would cover a lot of useful things throughout life like investments, how to invest, things like that. A financial planning class. We don't really have anything that covers that."

BG: What are your plans for after high school, and what career are you headed toward?

JG: “After high school, I plan to attend Purdue, getting a degree in animal science, then going to vet school to get my doctorate in veterinary medicine.

BG: Is it difficult to keep up with your school work being an athlete?

JG: “For sure. I've always been pretty dedicated to school but also work outside of school, so to try to fit everything in between school, work and sometimes late nights from having to come back from matches, it makes for some late nights and lack of sleep. We're getting through it for sure."

BG: Which particular classes and teachers have helped you the most in high school?

JG: “Throughout the years of high school, I've really enjoyed all my classes. The last couple of years, I've had Mr. Hankee and Mr. Williams for different classes. Those classes have been a lot of fun but also helpful for sure."

BG: In the future, once you’ve established yourself, and if you had your choice, what is your ideal living situation?

JG: “I've always grown up in the country, so somewhere out in the country still. There's so much to do out there, whether it's grabbing my four-wheeler or other things I can do outdoors. I'd definitely miss it if I left there."

BG: Do you think high school has gone fast, and are you going to miss it?

JG: “It feels like it's going slow but, looking back on it, it has gone by very quickly. There are definitely parts I won't miss but I'll miss a lot of it, especially tennis. But I'm looking forward to attending Purdue."