Name: Zach Cole
Hometown: East Aurora, N.Y.
High School: Nichols School
Sports: Lacrosse, Squash
Why did you choose Haverford?
I chose Haverford because of the tremendous academic reputation that the school has, while it maintains an emphasis on a non-competitive atmosphere. I think that many of the top colleges in the country can be extremely stressful and cutthroat, and the fact that Haverford is not like that is one of the best features of our school.
What is your favorite team experience?
My favorite team experience so far was the squash team's 5-4 victory over Boston College in February of last season. We knew going into that match that winning had very important playoff implications, and even though BC was ranked higher than us entering the match, our team was fully focused on pulling off the upset. Played at our home courts, there was a loud, supporting crowd made up of students, parents, and alumni that I believe made the difference in helping our team win one of the biggest matches of our season.
Why did you choose to play a sport in college?
I think that participating in collegiate athletics is one of the defining qualities of my experience at Haverford. Playing a sport in college is a fantastic way to give your mind a daily break from the academic pressures that are inherent at a school as challenging as ours. Also, it instantly gives you a great support system at college. Being a part of a team here means you have your coaches as resources for advice and guidance, and you instantly have your teammates as friends and role models. Having this group of people you know that you can rely on eases stress and made the transition to college much easier for me.
What does being a student-athlete mean to you?
I take a lot of pride in being a student-athlete at Haverford. I think that the commitment it takes to be on a team here can be very difficult to balance with my academic responsibilities at times, but this time that I dedicate to my team makes the feeling of any athletic achievements that much greater. To put in all the hours it takes to make your team successful and seeing your teammates sacrificing their time for the same goal brings everyone on the team that much closer. This is why my best friends at school are my teammates, and I'm proud to fill that role for them as well.
What are your thoughts on the Honor Code?
I think the Honor Code is present throughout all aspects of life as a student at Haverford. Academically, it puts a lot of trust in us as students, which is a really cool feeling. We are expected to act responsibly and honestly, which I believe has a profound positive influence on students' lives outside of the classroom as well. Socially, the same values apply. People conduct themselves with respect for others and trust that the other students will carry themselves the same way. Having the honor code that we do is tremendously impactful on student life here.