KYLE HOGAN
Staff Writer
All good things must come to an end.
Judging from the way Tom’s eyebrows tightened and the look on the rest of senior volleyball player Tom Hulse’s lean face when asked if he will miss Pepperdine upon his graduation, he appreciates the bittersweet truth of the statement.
“It will be hard to leave,” Hulse says, glancing at the ground. “Over the years all I could think about was getting out of school, but now I just try to hold on to the days.”
His voice, deep and confident, still rings with an uncertainty. Uncertainty about the future. Uncertainty about the “real world” that he will be plunging into very soon.
At this spring semester’s conclusion, Hulse will be graduating with a degree in Communications. He will also be leaving behind a long, decorated volleyball career that began as a freshman at Evanston Township High School located just north of Chicago in Evanston, Ill., a city of 90,000 residents.
“I began as a basketball player,” the slender, six-foot-eight, 190-pound middle blocker explains. “But I wanted to play sports all year and basketball season ends in the spring. So, I decided to take up volleyball my freshman year in high school. I fell in love with the atmosphere and the game. The atmosphere was very different from basketball, especially in Chicago.”
After being named second team all state his senior year in high school, Hulse was recruited by and took official visits to University of California-Irvine, University of the Pacific, University of Hawaii, Ohio State University and Pepperdine.
The winning tradition and competitive nature of the men’s volleyball program helped Pepperdine secure his services for the past four years.
“Every player on our roster is an awesome volleyball player. That competition makes us good and drives us to improve,” Hulse explains.
The winning tradition has continued during Hulse’s career, which includes a no. 1 national ranking in each of the past four seasons, an impressive 63-5 record, and an illustrious NCAA national title victory against UCLA in 2005.
“That was my career highlight,” Hulse says matter-of-factly. “That will always mean more than any individual awards that might be won. Beyond that, my career at Pepperdine has helped me to understand how to achieve success. I have developed confidence and a solid work ethic. Those characteristics are all needed after graduation.”
Hulse’s teammates respect and appreciate that work ethic.
Aaron Stalzer, an outside hitter and fellow senior, characterized Hulse’s approach to the game.
“Tom is a hard worker and a leader. He’s mature and he comes to practice every day and gives everything he has. And that approach rubs off on the whole team. Our whole team is that way. We try to compete every day and leave everything on the court. No regrets.”
That dedication and team atmosphere has instilled a sense of pride in Hulse – for his school and for his program.
“I think it should be noted that I was surrounded by good people for four great years. I really enjoyed that. I grew as a person here because of that. That should definitely be noted.”
Hulse is unsure of his next step, considering leaping into the professional volleyball scene in Europe or pursing a career domestically.
“I am planning on working for a management consulting firm after college,” Hulse says. “I’m not sure if I want to live the lifestyle of a professional volleyball player,” Hulse replies when asked how he feels about playing professionally abroad. “I would have to move around all the time and would always be signing new contracts with new teams. I don’t know if I want that nomadic type of life.”
No matter which route Hulse chooses, how much fun can be had, or how many great victories have been tallied through the years, the world keeps turning and good things do have to come to an end.
Is there a bright side?
When good things just begin.
Hulse’s Statistics
2004: 22 kills, 34 blocks, 44.5 points
2005: 13 blocks vs. Hawaii
2006: 1.46 kpg, .344 hitting, 1.51 bpg
04-23-2007