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 Gabriel Mens, a member of the men's basketball team.
Name: Gabriel Mens
Sport: Men’s basketball
Position: Forward
Hometown: Elversele, Belgium
Year: Senior
Major: Business administration
Why did you choose Coker? I went on a few visits for basketball; but what really got me to come to Coker was the people. The way I was treated when I came for my visit really separated Coker from other schools.
What is your best memory at Coker (athletic related)? Probably our triple overtime win over Barton my sophomore year. I think Barton was ranked 12th in the nation at the time. We ended up beating them by 4 and the crowd stormed the floor afterwards. It was a pretty great memory for the team, as well as everyone in attendance that day.
What is your best memory at Coker (non-athletic related)? Our national expositions for Enactus has by far been my best memories aside from basketball. I went for the first time my sophomore year and it was an inspirational experience. Junior year I went in knowing what to expect and even though the outcome was not what we wanted, it definitely entailed valuable memories I will never forget.
Which athletic team would you play on at Coker other than your own? Probably men’s golf. I have always loved watching it. Now don’t get me wrong, I am awful at it, but I do love playing when there is no one watching.
Favorite class: Calculus. I know it isn’t common, but I think it’s pretty neat what we learn and how it is applicable to real life situations. Even though it was not necessary, I actually took Calculus III for fun and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Favorite professor: Dr. Glenn Chappell. It is honestly a great feeling to be able to walk into a professor’s office and be able to talk for more than an hour or two about academics, basketball, football and North Carolina barbeque.
Plans after graduation: I have explored a few options, but honestly right now I am torn between staying in the states or going back home to Belgium. I love the south and would love to stay here a few more years. With that said, I still have some thinking to do before I have a concrete answer to that question.
Favorite movie: Either Space Jam or the Ocean’s trilogy. Absolute treasures to society.
Favorite type of music: House music. I do live 20 minutes away from Tomorrowland. Still, after being in the south for four years, I have to put a little country in there as well.
Favorite food: Belgian French Fries. Still have not found a worthy substitute anywhere in the U.S.
Favorite sports team: North Carolina Tar Heels. I would say Orlando Magic but it’s hard being a fan sometimes.
Favorite color: Carolina Blue!!
Favorite TV show: Either How I Met Your Mother, Suits or White Collar.
Most prized possession: Probably a golf ball I got thrown to me by one of the golfers at the Masters. It was not until later I realized how lucky I was.
What is something people may not know about you? I have duel citizenship. Belgium and the United States.
Do you have a nickname? If so, how did you get it? Most common nickname is still Gabe. I feel like it’s fairly obvious for my name. Plus I have had it since I was about 8.
One word that describes you: Passionate