As Stanford's student-athletes have departed campus for home, it's time to get to know the members of the sailing team. Today's edition features Telis Athanasopoulos Yogo.
How did you get your start with sailing?
I started sailing back in Greece where I grew up. I used to play soccer as a kid since my dad was a soccer player, but when I was 8 I hurt my foot pretty badly. We lived near the sea so I decided to try out sailing and I loved it.
Why did you choose Stanford?
When I visited Stanford as a recruit I really liked the atmosphere. The students were driven and intellectually curious, and the campus was beautiful. Also, it offers one of the best engineering programs in the country and one of the best sailing teams. The weather is good year round for practice. There are many available resources to student-athletes.
Favorite memory from the team?
So far my favorite memory with the team was this year during preseason, when we all went to Redwood Creek to do some habitat restoration. It was great to do this as a team-bonding activity and benefit wildlife near our sailing venue.
Favorite non-sailing Stanford team(s) to go watch?
Football and soccer.
Tell us about your virtual classes this semester/take us through a typical day for you under the current constraints.
Since this quarter is virtual, I am taking a challenging course load in an attempt to get slightly ahead and free some time for next spring's season. I am lucky as far as class time since I am in NY and the time zone is in my advantage. On a typical day I usually work out in the morning and get ready for my first class which starts at 11. I have classes throughout the day online, and during breaks between classes I will do work or go for a walk. Class ends around 6 in the evening. I am usually done with work around 10 and after that we have movie nights with my family.
How has your Stanford experience helped you manage the COVID-19 global outbreak?
Through my Stanford experience I have learned how to stay organized, productive and motivated during these tough times. My professors have been understanding about the situation and have made adjustments to their classes to make this transition a lot smoother. My teammates and coaches have been a huge support. We are all there for each other, and the frequent conversations we have together have helped me manage the absence of sailing from daily life.