Today's Chanticleer Alumni Spotlight showcases Joseph Withers, a member of the Coastal Carolina men's tennis team from 2006-09. 

A 2007 ITA Scholar-Athlete, Withers transferred to Coastal Carolina from fellow Big South member Liberty. One of head coach Chris Powers' first additions to the program after taking over the team in 2005, Withers helped the Chants go from an 8-16 team in 2005 to win double-digit matches in each of his three years at CCU capped off with a 16-6 record in 2008-09. 

He along with his teammates' hard work and dedication, helped to build the foundation for the Chants' program that would go on to win the Big South regular-season championship title in 2013, 2015, and 2016, and a conference tournament title in 2013 and 2016.

For more information on Joseph, please continue reading the Q&A below.

1. Where are you living now and what are you doing?
I am living in Chicago and working as a risk consultant for a Big Four firm.

2. Did you know you always wanted to do what you are doing professionally?
No, and I still don't know really.

3. How did your time as a student and student-athlete at Coastal Carolina prepare you for your career and life after college?
It gave me the ability to change a plan and be adaptable. Walking into a tennis match, your initial plan did not always work as expected. The ability to quickly adapt and think on the fly has been invaluable.

4. When was the last time you had been to campus? How has the campus changed?
Probably 2011-ish. I've seen the changes via pictures and it is pretty incredible. Go Coastal!

5. What originally attracted you to Coastal as a student-athlete?
Well, I don't know, but here's how I made it to Coastal. When I was in high school, I broke my hip at age 15 and had a stroke at age 17, so I was way behind in the rankings. I went to a college exposure camp during my senior year of high school and met the women's Coastal tennis coach at the time, Jody Davis. At the exposure camp, I was recruited by Liberty University, which was where I spent my freshman year. During that year, my head coach at Liberty was fired, and that allowed me to get my NCAA release to transfer to another school. That spring we played Coastal in Conway. My parents were there and my Dad let Jody know I was looking to transfer schools. During that match, I won, and about two weeks later I had a message from coach (Chris) Powers saying I had a spot at Coastal if I wanted it. I called my Dad and he said, "Absolutely do it". That was that. I loved my time at Coastal and all of the hard work I put in with my teammates. 

6. What are some of your most memorable moments from your time as a student-athlete at Coastal?
I think overall, just the fight during matches that our team had. Yelling "Let's go Coastal!" over the six courts and seeing other players get the W. Back in the day when coach Powers was driving us around in the team van, we used to play a game with the radio where we (the team versus Powers) would try to outguess him who sang the song that was on the next random radio station. It was always a battle, and Powers, being a former DJ, I don't think the team ever won.  

7. How often do you keep in touch with your former teammates?
Every once in a while a message on social media. I am bad at keeping in touch in general.

8. What are some things you enjoy doing in your free time?
I like to work out, watch sports, and hang out with friends.

9. What advice would you have for the current student-athletes at Coastal?
It's worth it. The grind, the sweat, and the comradery is worth it. The nights you sacrifice of not going out with roommates or friends because you have a 5 a.m. track workout is worth it. Thank you Coastal.


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