Baruch College junior women's swimmer Yee Chung Phang was named the CUNYAC/Hospital for Special Surgery Scholar-Athlete of the Month for February 2018.
“It is an absolute honor to have been selected, and represent the Baruch College Bearcats, because I value and cherish both my education and swim career equally," said Phang about being honored as the Scholar-Athlete of the Month. “Being selected for this title motivates me to continue working hard and focusing on achieving my goals, all while doing it with the people I love and cherish.”
Phang excelled at the 2018 CUNYAC Championships, winning all three individual events she competed in, en route to being tabbed as the meet's Most Valuable Performer. She clocked a 2:16.37 in the 200-yard individual medley, a 2:31.22 in the 200-yard breaststroke and a league-record 4:50.53 in the 400-yard individual medley.
Additionally, Phang swam a leg of the Bearcats' 200- and 400-yard medley relay and 800-yard freestyle relays, all of which came in first in their respective races.
According to Baruch's Head Swimming Coach Charles Lampasso, Yee’s hard hard work extends not just to her own studies, but to those of her fellow teammates.
“As team captain, a position she has embraced with the same great enthusiasm she has for motivating her teammates in the pool, she has been mentoring and tutoring her fellow teammates while maintaining her own studies, putting in her practice times and working," quoted Lampasso.
Lampasso then added, “After all of her achievements this year in the pool, it is such a distinguished accolade to be recognized for all of her accomplishments outside the pool.”
Phang has been swimming since she was four years old and started competing in meets when she was eight.
Swimming had become a major part of her life and grew up devoting the majority of her time to it. Yee added, “Despite having competed for so many years, I still find myself learning something new about myself and the sport after every swim meet.”
Competing in swim meets continue to be the most thrilling and exciting moments for Yee. “It gives me a brief moment to showcase all the work I have put in, and prove to myself that there is value in dedication and discipline,” added Phang.
After looking through her options and weighing the pros and cons of each school, Yee eventually decided to choose Baruch for several reasons. “Besides the fact that the school was affordable and conveniently located in the city, I was quick to fall in love with the swimming program that was being offered to me,” stated Phang.
Phang also said, “After having met a few of my future teammates, and hearing about their personal experiences at the school, I realized that Baruch would be a good fit to match both my athletic and academic ambitions.”
Phang currently boasts a 3.8 grade-point average, in addition to majoring in Marketing Management and minoring in Journalism & Entrepreneurship.
“As a marketing major in Baruch, my courses focus on keeping up to date with current events, advertising news, analyzing past advertising campaigns, planning future strategic marketing plans, and dissecting all kinds of marketing content.,” Phang commented.
She wasn’t shy to confess that balancing her academic and athletic life has been challenging at times. Yee’s passion for school and swimming makes it all worth it for her.
“In order to balance my athletic and academic life, I stay extremely organized and time conscious. From planning my school work weeks in advance to staying on top of my sleep schedule and setting time aside to mobilize and stretch, it all plays a factor in helping me maintain a routine and consistent balance of my responsibilities,” Phang stated.
Besides the fact that she doesn’t have to hold her breath underwater in a classroom, Yee believes that there are plenty of similarities between the classroom and pool.
“I carry myself in the same way that I apply the same amount of work ethic and motivation in everything I do. In both scenarios, one must stay focused, dedicated, and ambitious in succeeding.,” said Phang.
Participating in collegiate athletics has definitely widened Yee’s perspective of athletics and the training involved. “I have had to educate myself on not only putting work in the pool but also outside of the pool, from monitoring my sleep to making sure I mobilize and also focus on strength training.”
Most importantly to Yee, participating in collegiate athletics has taught her the importance of teamwork and how significant her teammates have become in her life. “I’ve made friendships that I couldn’t possibly imagine a life without, and I cherish every single teammate that I’ve had the pleasure to swim with,” quoted Phang.
Phang noted that her favorite memory in her career so far was winning the CUNYAC women’s swimming title this past February. “From the beginning of the season, the entire team had put in so much work and dedication to push each other in practice every day up to the moment of champs. It brought me immense joy to see every one of my teammates come together and swim for themselves and each other.”
Yee’s future plans after graduation include potentially working her way up to the title of Chief Marketing Officer at an innovative or creative company. “Leading up to that dream, I’d like to hold positions working in social media management, web content, market research, and creative strategy.”