WASHINGTON (June 9, 2021) – Howard University rising senior marketing major, journalism minor Mekhi Abbott starts off the 2020-21 tennis Senior Spotlight series with a graduate edition, featuring Roger Lyn (Kingston, Jamaica).
 
Q How did you get into tennis?
A: I actually got into tennis when I was only three years old. My father was actually a professional soccer player, and he didn't want me to play any contact sports [due to all of the injuries he had to endure], so he kind of pushed me into tennis at a very young age.
 
I started off by just hitting the ball against the wall in my backyard and I fell in love with having the tennis ball and racket in my hands, which led to having a national junior world ranking.
 
I was recruited and had multiple NCAA Division I offers to play tennis collegiately.
 
Q: Why did you choose Howard University?
A: I chose HU because of the prominent business school, its laser focus on diversity and the large Caribbean population (as a Kingston, Jamaica native, the representation was important to him).
 
Q: Talk about how entering college in Spring 2018 affected you academically, athletically, and socially. What was that quick transition like?
A: Coming in Spring 2018 was very challenging scholastically. For me, getting accustomed to the classroom was something that was foreign to me.
 
Socially, it wasn't nearly as hard because I already had that Caribbean connection, so it felt like home away from home. Also, I was able to connect with my teammates pretty seamlessly as well, so making friends wasn't particularly hard.
 
Coming from high school straight into collegiate tennis in 2018 was challenging, but with the help of Coach Larry Strickland (Howard's former Director of Tennis) and my teammates, I was able to adapt quickly.
 
With the guidance of the upperclassmen at the time, I was able to maneuver pretty well throughout the season, and for that, I am forever grateful to them. 
 
Q: How did COVID-19 affect your college experience and athletic career?
A: My athletic career and overall experience at Howard was good and memorable, but a short one.
 
I was only actually on campus for roughly two years because I didn't enroll until Spring 2018 and my whole junior year (including my season) was stripped due to the pandemic.
 
Academically, it wasn't much of a challenge at all. I came from a virtual high school, so the adjustment and transition were nothing new, so I was comfortable.
 
Overall, my 3.5 years at Howard was unforgettable and I wouldn't change it for the world.
 
Q: How did you manage to be a good captain in the midst of a pandemic? Especially given that you were really the only upperclassmen on the men's side?
A: I tried to embody and emulate the same mentor-like qualities the upperclassmen had when they helped me during my first year at Howard. It was definitely a challenge at times, given that a lot of the freshmen and sophomores were walking into a situation that was being heavily affected by the pandemic, but I tried to guide them to the best of my abilities.
 
I tried to check-in periodically while making sure they stayed on task. I made sure they were still practicing and improving because they made a commitment to give their all and make this program better.
 
I made sure they were keeping up with their studies and overall prioritizing things.
 
Also, of course, I would check on them mentally because that was one the most important responsibilities, given the time and how much the pandemic affected so many people in different capacities.
 
Q: On a lighter note, talk about what it was like going from the beautiful weather of Jamaica on a daily basis that most people dream of, to entering college during a blizzard that quite literally shut down Howard's campus.
A:  *laughing* It was a disaster because I had to learn how to navigate through the cold weather while freezing on my way to practice and class. It was difficult and the snow storm actually damaged the Communications building and BisonWeb, so classes were delayed for two weeks.
 
On a good note, the experience brought my teammates and I closer together.
 
Q: How has being a student-athlete help mold you into the man you are today, if at all?
A: Being a student-athlete has molded me into the man I always wanted to become. It helped mold me [and almost forced me, lol] to be a man who is disciplined, hard-working and focused.
 
The athletic department at Howard University has made me the person I always wanted to become, pushed me to new heights and has given me countless opportunities that I am forever grateful for.
 
Q: Who are some of your favorite athletes of all-time?
A: My all-time favorite athletes are:

• Roger Federer (Tennis Champion)
• Christiano Ronaldo (UEFA Champion)
• And the late, great Kobe Bryant (NBA Champion)

 
Q: Favorite HU memory?
A: My favorite HU memory is winning a singles match while representing my team as the #1 singles player. I beat Duquesne's #1 singles player, who was a ranked senior.
 
Also, my first homecoming comes to mind, of course. I will never forget that.
 
Q: What are your plans post-graduation?
A: Post-grad, I will be working at a global French bank called BNP Paribus. The position is located in NYC (New York City), starting this summer.
 
Q: Lastly, what is some advice you would give to HU25, future Howard Bison and students looking to compete collegiately as tennis players?
A: My advice is to simply stay focused, prioritize the things that need to be prioritized and have a good support system around you. The friends and Caribbean community that was available to me through Howard definitely helped throughout my journey and I would recommend everyone has some sort of support group or family unit.
 
If you do that, you should be good.
 
_______________________________
 
About Lyn

• Personal:
  • Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica
  • Major: Finance
  • Did You Know?: First Generation college student
• Academic:
  • Three-Time Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Academic-Scholar
  • Three-Time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Commissioner's All-Academic Team
• Athletic
  • 2019 MEAC All-Conference Second Team
  • 2018 MEAC Rookie of the Week (March 14, 2018)

 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.