University of Tennessee Athletics
NCAA SWIMMER QUALIFER PROFILE: ANDREW ENGLE
March 06, 2007 | Men's Swimming & Diving
March 6, 2007
Senior Andrew Engle will represent the Volunteers in the 100 butterfly, 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay at the NCAA Championships in Minneapolis, Minn. This man of faith says that he has prepared as best he can for the championships, and the rest is in the hands of God.
"Hopefully I do great," Engle said. "But I want to make it all for God's glory. I don't want to go in and set all these high expectations and pressures on myself. I've done the best I can, so it's up to God now to lead me to what he wants me to do."
Apparently God has been on Engle's side because he has collected two All-America awards in his tenure at the University. But his swimming success certainly isn't the consummation of his life, Engle likes to devote time to other areas of his life - his family and faith.
"I'm a big family guy," Engle said. "I have four nephews and one niece and love hanging out with them. Coming from a big family with two older brothers and an older sister makes me love being with family."
Along with his family, Engle commits his life to his faith. Engle enjoys reading his bible and attending Wallace Memorial Baptist Church on Merchants Drive. His favorite book of the Bible, he says, is Job. He also participates in campus ministries here at UT.
"I'm involved with Fellowships of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action," Engle said. "We help plan big meetings and do some outreach projects. I also went to the AIA training camp and it had a big impact on my life. I'm thinking about going back this summer to try encouraging some of the guys and their walks with the Lord."
Engle has received Christian encouragement and mentorship during his four years at the university.
"The two biggest role models have been my brother and my college minister," Engle said. "I've grown a lot closer with my brother while I've been down here. He is eight years older than me. And I've really grown to be good friends with my college minister. We hang out a couple nights a week and eat dinner. He's always been there for me like my brother."
His brother has a master's degree and works in management at an Environmental organization. His college minister not only works at Memorial Baptist but also works for the Hope Resource center as he goes to schools and teaches sexual education. As for Engle's professional plans, he's remained laid-back and open to future opportunities.
"I'm not sure about my plans after college," Engle said. "I'm a communications studies major, I want to work and interact with people, perhaps I might work in sales. I'm going to try and get an internship this summer and then go from there but I'm really not sure about what I'm going to do. I'm just going to try to keep my options open and look around."
His mentors will undoubtedly help guide him in his decision. Engle did mention some very influential books that also helped him along in his faith.
"The 'Purpose Driven Life' has really had an impact on me," Engle said. "Another would be 'Every Young Man's Battle' that talks about things you go through as a young male with struggles and addictions one experiences in life. The book really helped me start to think about things I didn't know before I came to college."
Engle recalled growing up in a Christian environment that also had a big impact on his life.
"I became a Christian right after my freshman year," Engle said. "I had a very religious family but never really had any kind of walk with the Lord once I got to college. I really enjoyed being with the other swimmers but I didn't have much of a focus of faith. Evan Nylander became like big brother to me, really encouraged me and helped me with those sorts of thing. He hooked me up with the AIA people. I changed my life around and was re-baptized last year. I rededicated my life then and got it turned around."
Faith, family and swimming has brought Andrew Engle safe thus far. He knows his faith will continue to guide him as he finishes his senior year at the University of Tennessee and carry him unto paths of peace the all the days of his life, from now and to evermore.
Players Mentioned
