The "Cobra Spotlight" is a weekly highlight of a student-athlete at Coker College. Each week we take a different athlete from a different sport and display some facets to get more familiar with them. This week we take a look at Aaron Beebe, Chris Fuga, Sara Allen & Krista Thorpe, members of the men's & women's golf teams.
Name: Aaron Beebe
Sport: Men’s golf
Hometown: Conway, S.C.
Year: Junior
Major: Communication
Why did you choose Coker? The combination of class size, campus environment, my major being offered, coach Baker and the opportunity to play collegiate golf are all reasons I chose Coker.
What is your best memory at Coker (athletic related)? The first tee shot of my first collegiate golf tournament. Nervous does not begin to describe how I was feeling. To this day that is the best tee shot I have ever hit.
What is your best memory at Coker (non-athletic related)? Spending time with my buddies in the dorm room.
Which athletic team would you play on at Coker other than your own? I would probably play men’s tennis or baseball. I played baseball until I was 16 and I love playing tennis, especially at night under the lights.
Favorite class: Any of my communication courses or tennis class. Tennis class doubles champion!
Favorite professor: Professor Puffer
Plans after graduation: I would love to work in a college’s sports information department or be a graduate assistant for a golf team.
Favorite movie: Coach Carter or Remember the Titans
Favorite type of music: Country
Favorite food: Nothing like a good burger or steak
Favorite sports team: THE University of North Carolina Tar Heels
Favorite color: Tar Heel blue
Favorite TV show: Pawn Stars, Impractical Jokers or anything sports
Most prized possession: The golf ball I made my first birdie with or the golf ball I played with the last time my dad and I played golf together. I keep both in my golf bag.
What is something people may not know about you? I have practiced on the same field as Cal Ripken Jr. and Billy Ripken. Cal touched my shoulder in the team picture. I was only 12 so I was kind of freaking out.
Do you have a nickname? If so, how did you get it? Beebs. My last name is Beebe, so that is where it comes from. I have had it since 7th grade. By my senior year of high school the teachers called me Beebs.
One word that describes you: Level-headed
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Name: Christopher Fuga
Sport: Men’s golf
Hometown: Phoenixville, Pa.
Year: Junior
Major: Business administration with a concentration in sports management
Why did you choose Coker? I chose Coker simply because I wanted to play competitive collegiate golf. I also liked the idea of the round-table learning style and small class sizes.
What is your best memory at Coker (athletic related)? Winning the conference tournament championship my freshmen year.
What is your best memory at Coker (non-athletic related)? Karaoke night
Which athletic team would you play on at Coker other than your own? Baseball or men’s tennis.
Favorite class: Golf class with Coach Dan Schmotzer
Favorite professor: Dr. Jewell
Plans after graduation: After graduation I plan on pursuing my dream of playing professional golf.
Favorite movie: Step Brothers
Favorite type of music: Country! It’s all I listen to now since moving to the South for school.
Favorite food: Philly Cheesesteaks
Favorite sports team: Philadelphia Eagles, Phillies, Flyers and 76ers.
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite TV show: Anything sports related
Most prized possession: My religious medals I wear around my neck, and of course my golf clubs.
What is something people may not know about you? I swing the golf club right handed but I do everything else left-handed.
Do you have a nickname? If so, how did you get it? My dad calls me Chuck, and I don’t know why.
One word that describes you: Determined
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Name: Sara Allen
Sport: Women’s golf
Hometown: Fort Mill, S.C.
Year: Junior
Major: Communication
Why did you choose Coker? I chose Coker because of the small campus atmosphere and golf.
What is your best memory at Coker (athletic related)? My first tournament freshman year would be my best athletic memory at Coker. Our bus broke down on the way to the practice round and unlike the other teams we never got to see what the course would be like. Without ever seeing the course I managed to shoot a 79 in my first collegiate round.
What is your best memory at Coker (non-athletic related)? My best non-athletic memory would be when I made a short zombie movie with my friends in Dr. Lellis’ video production class. It was a really, really bad zombie movie, but we had a fun time making it.
Which athletic team would you play on at Coker other than your own? I would probably play tennis or lacrosse. I played tennis for seven years when I was younger. Lacrosse just looks fun.
Favorite class: Studies in Space
Favorite professor: Dr. Lay
Plans after graduation: I would like to go to grad school and attain my master’s in sport communication.
Favorite movie: How to Train Your Dragon
Favorite type of music: Punk
Favorite food: Asian
Favorite sports team: U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team
Favorite color: Purple
Favorite TV show: Doctor Who
Most prized possession: My books. I really like to read.
What is something people may not know about you? I used to have my own business making custom duct tape wallets and other accessories. I made portraits, bouquets, purses, messenger bags, laptop bags, iPhone cases and bracelets. I had customers all over the country and from the United Kingdom.
Do you have a nickname? If so, how did you get it? Unfortunately, no, I do not have one.
One word that describes you: Nerdy
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Name: Krista Thorpe
Sport: Women’s golf
Hometown: Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada
Year: Senior
Major: Physical education and sport studies with a concentration in exercise science and a minor in biology
Why did you choose Coker? When I visited Coker I automatically fell in love with the campus and surrounding community.
What is your best memory at Coker (athletic related)? My best memory would be during my sophomore year when I hit a washroom that was nowhere in play on hole 6 at the Salisbury course in North Carolina. It always gives me a good laugh because when my coach and I walked to my ball I turned and asked him, “Do you think I can go over it this time?” The moment helped me realize that when something gets in the way of your goal just approach it from a different angle.
What is your best memory at Coker (non-athletic related)? All the pranks my teammates and I have pulled on one another.
Which athletic team would you play on at Coker other than your own? I would love to play women’s basketball.
Favorite class: Com 101, because it allowed me to step out of my comfort zone
Favorite professor: Dr. James McLaughlin
Plans after graduation: To continue playing golf and expand my education
Favorite movie: The Greatest Game Ever Played
Favorite type of music: Country
Favorite food: Raspberry oatmeal pancakes
Favorite sports team: Any Toronto team - always hoping for a better season than the last
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy
Most prized possession: The tiny glass ladybug that my dad gave me. I carry it around in my golf bag for good luck.
What is something people may not know about you? Contrary to what people think, I do not live in an igloo or have a pet polar bear. However, I wish I did though.
Do you have a nickname? If so, how did you get it? People call me by my last name, Thorpe.
One word that describes you: Determined