Swirling Worlds: EP.6 - Silas Goolsby

Episode six of Swirling Worlds: Inside the Mind of a Student-Athlete started very interesting as we faced significant difficulties. The mics had issues, and the headphones weren't working either, but the work was taken care of when it was all said and done. Silas Goolsby, a Sophomore sports and fitness administration major and member of Piedmont University's men's track and field team, was the subject of episode six. When I approached Goolsby about the podcast, he was initially hesitant, but when I explained the topics covered, he was ready to do it. "I've never really been asked to get on a mic and talk, and I'm normally uncomfortable with it," said Goolsby. "I'd rather write it down or meet face-to-face to discuss whatever the matter is, but in this circumstance, it's different. I get to come on here and talk about myself." 

The start of the podcast was choppy, but over time, Goolsby got comfortable and started to open up about some of the reasons he chose to attend Piedmont University in the first place. "It's close to home," said Goolsby. "I have a lot of family history here as well; my uncle, aunt, and cousin all attended the university." Silas and I had previously discussed his aunt and uncle's tenure at Piedmont University. He said they met here and married in the community chapel on the University's campus. 

Later in the episode, I asked Goolsby his thoughts on piedmont University and asked him to reflect on his first year at the University. "The social scene in college is a lot different than that from the likes of high school, and the classes are much smaller than I expected," said Goolsby. "I also got the chance to work with an actual coach for hurdles; I practically taught myself how to hurdle in high school, so having an actual coach for that is nice." It sure seemed better for Goolsby as well, as he went on to win Track Athlete of the Week and Rookie of the Week in the Collegiate Conference of the South and also capped his first-year campaign off by winning the 110-meter hurdle event at the conference track and field meet to help secure the first-ever CCS track and field championship trophy. "I plan on winning that event yearly while I'm here," said Goolsby.

Looking back on when you decided to go to college, what were some of the factors that sent you to the school you chose?