 "Photo: Andrea Lai")
CBS runs a commercial for the NCAA, one you've most likely seen. The setting takes place amid a basketball game. At point guard is a fireman, fully clad in his helmet and boots. The shooting guard, played by a judge, is setting a pick on a nurse in hospital scrubs as a police officer punctuates the scene with a dramatic alley-oop.
"There are over 380,000 NCAA student athletes, and just about all of them will be going pro in something other than sports."
While the concept of student athletes perusing non-athletic professions is common, it is not often that athletes of Alexandria Anderson's caliber aspire to venture into the business world, especially when they, like Anderson, are Olympic hopefuls. Such a goal is the driving force that propels Anderson on the track, and separates her from the field.
Anderson, a corporate communications junior, began running track in the sixth grade. Naturally, as she grew, her speed and agility increased, but she never seemed to loose her childlike demeanor and zest.
Today, Alexandria Anderson, known to her friends as Alex, is preparing to take part in the 27th annual NCAA Outdoor Championships in women's track and field. The Chicago, Ill., native is a 12-time All-American in both indoor and outdoor competitions and enters this week's NCAA meet with the third-fastest time this spring in the 100-meter (a personal best 11.10 seconds) and is ranked seventh at 200 meters (22.82).
Anderson clocked a lifetime-best mark with a time of 11.10 in the 100-meter, finishing in second place at the Rice Bayou Classic. She took home the gold in the 200-meter at the Texas Twilight competition previously in the season with a time of 22.84 seconds.
As a junior, Anderson has completed the '08 regular season with little to no disappointment.
"I have no regrets," Anderson said. "None at all. As the season goes on, you want to surpass your goals. I just work hard and continue to be passionate about what I do."
While Anderson's enthusiasm may indeed be personal characteristic, there is no doubt that Hall of Fame head coach Bev Kearney, whom Anderson calls her hero, has had more than a tremendous impact on all members of the Texas track team. Kearney, no stranger to adversity, believes that passion and hard work are the pillars of success.
"Our goal is to do our very best," Kearney said. "Sometimes, however, you have to redefine what success will be for you. ... Passion is the driving force behind success in any field. We're going to go out there and represent the tradition of Texas. It's always about the fight."
Anderson, who has adopted Kearney's values of hard work and passion, continues to have fun with life, never taking herself too seriously. When the time came to depart from Morgan Park High School in Chicago, Anderson sought out the fun, familiar environment of a city school.
"I love Austin," Anderson said. "Originally I considered USC, but Austin is too great. I love the school, the town and the coaching staff. Those are what brought me here."
One of Anderson's greatest pleasures is simply being with her teammates, who, together, have developed an unshakable bond over the course of the '08 season. The quartet of Longhorn competitors, among them senior All-American Temeka Kincy, sophomore Jordyn Brown, sophomore Betzy Jimenzez and Anderson, have dubbed themselves the "Fantastic Four."
Anderson's passion for athletics is indeed strong, but she understands that there is far more to life than track and field.
"Of course I want to qualify for the Olympics," Anderson said. "But at the same time, I'm a people person. I want to go to graduate school, earn my master's in public relations, become a publicist and eventually own my own PR firm."
Anderson may one day be a member of the professional world, wearing her business suit, playing a game of hoops for CBS. It shouldn't be hard to spot her. She'll be the one with Olympic medals around her neck.
