Profile - Janelle Chow

“Multi-athlete shows multidimensional character”

            Rows and columns of neatly trimmed photographs decorate the locker of University of Idaho athlete Janelle Chow. Each photo holds the memories of games won and lost, time spent with friends and every other memory worth freezing in time. These are the memories of a Division I athlete who is more than one-dimensional.

            Chow is a senior currently on the roster for three U of I sports programs: volleyball, basketball, and tennis.

            Chow came to U of I under the volleyball program, and was added to the basketball and tennis programs as a walk-on this winter.

            While some might hesitate to compete at this level in one sport, let alone three, Chow welcomes the challenge.

            “I love being a Division I athlete, and competing at this level,” Chow said.

            Competition is what drives Chow to be the best in everything she does; something that Ian Kelsey, a supervisor for the intramural program at U of I, observes first hand.

            “Her competitiveness extends beyond just sports. She always wants to be the best,” Kelsey said.

            Beyond her commitments to volleyball, basketball, and tennis, Chow also participates in various intramural sports.

            Butch Fealy, director of intramural sports, said Chow plays virtually every intramural U of I offers from shuffle board to table tennis.

            Chow also works as an official for the intramural program. Her position with the program is just one of the five jobs she currently holds.

            Chow admits that some of her peers call her “crazy” for working as a student-athlete.

            “People say that you don’t have time for a job being a student-athlete but, I think you do,” Chow said.

            How Chow finds time to participate in three collegiate sports, numerous intramurals, and five jobs is a something that keeps many of her peers in awe, Chow said.

            A typical day for Chow starts at 5 a.m. and ends at around 2 a.m. the next day. Chow admits that she sleeps about four hours a day, something which helps maximize her time.

            Chow’s constant, on-the-go schedule is something that Kelsey feels is a testament to how much college students can accomplish.

            “She puts into perspective how much you can do in college,” Kelsey said.

            While Chow maintains a busy schedule she still finds time to stay ahead academically. Her cumulative GPA is a 3.7, well above the 2.0 minimum GPA required for athletes overall.

            Competition is at the core of many of Chows accomplishments, and academics are no exception.

            “It’s good to be a competitor in the classroom,” Chow said.

            Chow’s competitive spirit extends past her personal endeavors. She participates in various community service projects including the Spring Alternative Service Break (ASB).

            For two spring breaks Chow spent helped build houses in Kentucky and Georgia for Habitat for Humanity.

            Chow’s community involvement also extends to her position as head coach for a club volleyball team.

            As a head coach she enjoys mentoring the young girls and helping them reach their goals, Chow said.

            “She goes out of her way to make time for the community … she goes way above and beyond the typical student,” Fealy said.

            This commitment to community involvement, in addition to her academic and athletic achievements, made Chow one of the recipients of the Alumni Award for Excellence for 2012.

            These achievements are not things that have come easy for Chow, Kelsey said.

            “She tries a lot harder than everyone all of the time … everyone thinks all of the stuff she does just comes easy to her. No one knows how much she works,” Kelsey said.

            Much of what Chow does comes from hard work and dedication, something she hopes others will see.

            “She’s one of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. You’ll almost think you’re best friends after a five minute conversation with her,” Tyler Roberds, a supervisor for the intramural program, said.

            Chow says she enjoys meeting new people and making genuine connections.

            “She’s so down-to-earth. She’ll honestly get to know and be friends with anyone,” Fealy said.

            As for what the future holds, Chow hopes to work as part of a college-level athletic program. Being such an active athlete has opened many doors for her, Chow said.

 “With her work ethic and determination she’s going to go as far as she wants,” Fealy said.

Interview Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUCruCnPKlQ