Q&A with Bulldog Club Intern, Stefan Lakic
Hometown: Visegrad, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Major: Business Management
Favorite food: Chicken (any style), pasta & peanut butter
Favorite book: Jovan Ducic, “A Book of Fate” (Serbian author)
Favorite movie: Endgame, but I enjoy all of the movies from the Marvel universe
Any nicknames? Laki (Pronounced same as Lucky)
Favorite music/band: Depends on the mood, but I prefer classic rock, Serbian rap music, Ex-Yugoslavian Rock Band, Guns and Roses
Favorite TV show: Lud Zbunjen Normalan (Crazy, Confused & Normal), a Bosnian TV show
Tell us about your family.
I am the son of Mile and Brankica. My father, Mile, is an machine engineer, and my mom, Brankica, is an accountant. My sister, Ivana, studies at the University of Architecture in Belgrade, Serbia, and is already pursuing her masters degree (although she is 2 years younger than me).
Tell us about what brought you to Samford.
Long story short, it was basketball that brought me to Samford. I was at a community college called Missouri State University - West Plains, and I had a very good basketball season there. Coach Padgett and Coach Headrick recruited me. I visited Samford and I loved it!
What have you enjoyed most about living in the United States? And the South?
The U.S. is really the land of opportunities. And everything you need, you can get in Walmart! I’ve met some great people who are willing to help with anything I need! I also enjoyed the community in the South; people here are very religion-oriented, which creates a very happy and prosperous environment.
What has been the strangest thing to adjust to?
The culture and being far away from home. It was also the religion - we don’t talk about religion back where I came from; it is an inner force that we use as a source of power, morality, and goodness. Here in the U.S., it is about preaching, talking about Jesus, singing about Jesus, even dancing. Very interesting!
Tell us about your academic experience.
To be honest, I think the education here is way more advanced, and it offers so many learning styles for students. At the same time it makes it easier, because there are so many people that are willing to help you study, prepare, and do well in exams.
What advice would you give a Samford freshman?
Go out and enjoy the campus, meet some new people, make use of all of the presented opportunities, work out, and take care of your body and mind all the time!
What have you enjoyed most about your Samford men's basketball experience?
I’ve enjoyed the level of competitiveness the most. Also, I’ve enjoyed the experience that Coach Padgett possesses, and was able to transfer to me and to my other teammates. Our athletics director, Martin Newton, also makes sure that we, athletes, always have what we need to be better on the court, and off the court as well!
Any pregame rituals?
I like to be calm before the game, eat a rich meal, drink a cup of coffee, do my yoga, and make sure I drink a lot of water as well.
After graduation, what are your career aspirations?
I will go back to Europe and play professional basketball!
What have you enjoyed most about working as an intern for the Bulldog Club development team this fall?
I’ve enjoyed working with great people, making friends with our fellow donors, and just being of service whenever my team needs help with anything! I’ve also learned a lot about the business side of sports in general!
Outside of basketball, what do you like to do for fun?
I like getting the proper care of my body, doing yoga and eating healhy, but I also enjoy playing guitar, listening to music, and watching TV shows.
Anything unique you think our Bulldog Club members will enjoy learning about you?
I’ve learned to play Sweet Home Alabama on the guitar in just one week of learning how to play the instrument.
“Thank you, fellow donors, for providing support and making Samford a better place for us, student-athletes, and thank you for enabling us to get degrees that will undoubtedly put us in great positions once we are done playing sports.”
