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CHARLESTON, SC – The average cadet student-athlete at The Citadel is anything but average. They're members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets. They go to class. They compete against the best the Southern Conference has to offer.

And for some, that's not enough. Many cadet student-athletes take an even less traveled path by majoring in unique or tough fields of study. Some come from unique backgrounds that make the already difficult even more so. And still others contract into the armed forces and have to prepare for their careers in the military after college.

The Citadel Department of Athletics wants to recognize some of those cadet student-athletes who are not just succeeding in competition, but are doing so at a high level while overcoming some of the toughest obstacles.

The Citadel Department of Athletics wants to recognize some of those cadet student-athletes who are not just succeeding in competition, but are doing so at a high level while overcoming some of the toughest obstacles.

Douglas Gudenburr (Sr., Finleyville, Pa.)
Sport: Wrestling
Major: Mechanical Engineering (3.83 GPA)

What is your major and why did you choose to study this?
DG – "My major is mechanical engineering because I wanted something that dealt with math and I was always tinkering with things growing up, so I felt like it was a perfect fit."

What do you hope to do after graduation from undergrad? What would you like to do once you have exhausted your eligibility?
DG – "I want to complete my master's degree. I have been fortunate enough to have already started two master's degrees, one is an MBA and the other is a master's in mechanical engineering (MSME). I will finish up the MBA this fall and finish up my MSME in the spring of 2021. I am still undecided on what I want to fully do after completing both master's programs."

What are you doing to prepare for your career outside of your studies?
DG – "I have had an internship back in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for the last three summers and I might continue with another this summer before returning to school in the fall. I'm also considering taking a full-time job offer while completing my two master's degrees."

Do you hold rank in the Corps, and what are those responsibilities like on a daily basis?
DG – "I am a captain in the Corps and the wrestling team captain. I am mainly responsible for my team and making sure I fill the gap between athletic life and Corps life. Mainly help the freshman and guide them. The school can be confusing and difficult at times, and I make sure that I help make it easier and I also relay messages to my team from the commandant's office. I am representing the wrestling team in the Corps and help keep good relationships between the two."

Talk a little about juggling your life in the Corps, as a cadet student-athlete and within your major.
DG – "This was a lot of work but I was able to make it happen. As an athlete we would have a couple workouts a day, and also with engineering we had a busy class schedule and a large amount of homework. I had to focus on time management and while others would rest in between classes, I would make sure I never wasted a second and did as much work as I could when I had free time. I feel I was pretty successful with it and got better over time, especially since I was able to also start two master's degrees this year."

What would you say has been the most difficult part of being a cadet student-athlete in your major?
DG – "The most difficult part would be getting the proper rest and nutrition needed at to compete at the Division I level. When you add in my major and athletics on top of the cadet life, sleep is at a premium."

What is something that you will always look back fondly on here at The Citadel?
DG – "Hanging out with the team is definitely something I will look back on. We were all brothers and so many bonds were created. We always had a good time together and we had each other's back. That is something I am going to miss."

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