ORANGEBURG, SC—During his final campaign as a member of the MEAC Champion South Carolina State Men's Tennis Team, we had a chance to sit down with senior Benjamin Niv.  Niv is a All-MEAC performer with the tennis team and has been a key part of four Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men's Tennis Championships (2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024) and NCAA Division I appearances during his career. He is a native of Sofia, Bulgaria, and is set to graduate May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Management. For more information on South Carolina State Athletics or the Bulldog Men's Tennis program, visit www.scsuathletics.com
 
Q: What is your greatest memory being a part of the SC State Men's Tennis Championship Team?
A: The year I got here I was playing number one for the team and was also the captain. That first championship we played, we had just one senior in the lineup and before the match, I gave a speech to the boys. They reacted super positively and came out with a huge energy and focus and we went on to win the trophy. I would say that exact moment is probably the best feeling I've had in my entire career.
 
Q: What would you say was one of the biggest challenges for you as a part of the team?
A: Adapting to everyone's character and understanding that being a part of a successful team like this, means two things: Always respect your teammates and listen to every single word Coach Judge says. That is the key to winning championships down here.
 
Q: What would you tell your younger self at this point?
A: If I could give myself one piece of advice, it would be to be more patient. When you make the right decisions, things will fall into their place.
 
Q. What was the best advice given to you throughout your career?
A: During one of my matches Coach Judge told me to stay motivated and always play like Roger Federer (a legend in the tennis world) is on the other side of the net. I think that is great advice as it helped me stay focused and ultimately win the match too.
 
What are your plans after graduation?
A: I have been operating, together with my family, a successful real estate business and that combined with a new sports club we are investing in back in Europe are my plans for the near future.
 
 
Q: When I am not interacting with tennis, I am doing?
A: If not working, either booking a vacation to Greece or playing padel. I have been going to Greece with my family all my life and it has turned into somewhere I need to go at least a couple of times a year. The more the better.
 
Q: If I wasn't involved in tennis, I would be doing what?  
A: I believe I would be doing some other sport for sure. Most likely soccer as I used to train in an academy until I was 14.
 
Q: A hidden talent I have no one knows about is?
A: I wouldn't say I'm talented, but I can play the piano well. Tennis took a big part of my life and there was not much time after practice and studies to do much. But I am glad I learned the basics of the piano
 
Q: The person I admire the most in life?
A: For sure my father. He was a military man in the Israeli army. I know the hardships he has had in life and the way he went through it and became so successful just doesn't leave me another option as to see him as my role model.
 
Q: My favorite quote in life?
A: I would say "Write your own script"
All my life I have been focused on making my own decisions and I think this is great advice for everyone to just be confident and take the decisions they want to.
 
Hot Seat
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Cereal or Snack: Has to be Rice Krispies
Favorite Song and Artist: Drake "Wants and Needs"
Favorite Hobby: Padel tennis
Favorite Sport besides softball: Football
Something About Myself No One Else Knows: I speak 6 languages.
One word that describes yourself: Loyal.
 
ABOUT SC STATE ATHLETICS
South Carolina State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields teams in 14 sports: women's volleyball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's indoor track & field, softball, men's and women's outdoor track and field, women's soccer and football with all teams competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), except for women's soccer.
 
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