Are you crazy about volleyball? Do you know there are quite a few professional volleyball players who are products of Chungnam National University? Lee Ki-bum, our senior, is one. He is the first player who became a pro volleyball player from CNU. Attention everyone! Let’s learn something from this esteemed alumnus!

Hope to Be an Example for Current Students
    Hello! I am Lee Ki-bum and I graduated from CNU in 2009. I am a member of the class of ‘05 and I majored in Physical Education.

Volley ball Beginning

Playing Volleyball at the University
    The CNU volleyball team is now a first-division team - last year it still held second-division status. Different from the elite programs of Hanyang University and Kyeong-ki University, the players of the CNU volley ball team have to manage to time for volleyball and academics. Therefore, we played only after lectures. As a result I spent less time playing than I did in middle school and high school. For that reason, I was happy I could play in a more liberating atmosphere.

University Life
    As I mentioned, at CNU the focus was more on academics over sports. Therefore, I studied all night with my friends as well as played volleyball while in school. Thanks to these experiences, I graduated from college and also finish graduate school. Although I am satisfied my youth, If I go back to the past, I want to spend each day harder studying and playing all night with friends than before.

Life as a Professional Volleyball Player
    Originally, I wanted to be a teacher so I majored in Physical Education. However, as I spent a lot of time playing volleyball, I didn’t want to give up my volleyball goals. So I decided to enter the draft though it was challenge to me located in the second divisions. However with support from coaches, surprisingly, I was nominated as a professional volleyball player! Everyone, including me was surprised so that day I received many questions from reporters. Typically ashamed of spotlight, I was so pleased to be a source of pride for those who were dreaming of being a pro.

CNU Volleyball Team’s Promotion to the First Division
    The CNU volleyball team was promoted to the First Division last year. This promotion was the result of me and two others becoming pro as well; Na-un and Jin-young. I’d like to applaud our seniors and juniors who work out each year and rarely receive credit for their dedication to the program.

Crises Present Opportunities

KEPCOVIXTORM
    I am a five-year professional volleyball player who joined KEPCO in 2008 after graduating from CNU. I played left position; and mostly defense. KEPCO, which belongs to Korea Electric Corporation, consists of volleyball, track and field, and rugby team. Founded in 1945 as Korea's first corporate-owned volleyball team, KEPCO, which changed their name into KEPCO VIXTORM, was launched as a pro in 2008 at the time I joined. That was the first time in the world of volleyball.

Entering KEPCO
    I have been good at playing volleyball since I was a high school student. It’s quite rare, but during the National Sports Festival, we could play with against a first division Seoul team. Due to my powerful defensive skill set, my role during that match was primarily offensive. It was rare that a player showcased such an extraordinary power among the Second Division team.

Crises of KEPCO
    A lot of friends with whom I played were arrested for a match-fixing scandal. As a result half the power of team was gone. We didn’t know what to do. We are still having a tough season. Though a lot of time has passed by since the scandal broke, we cannot pull off a win. The players try to communicate a lot in an effort to maintain a positive team atmosphere. Crises present opportunities. If each of the players does their best, the situation will gradually improve, and we will overcome. Eventually, I believe you will hear “The Terrifying Mercenary Baseball Team, KEPCO” again soon.

Love and Belief in Myself

Managing My Body and Spirit
    Do you want to know how I managed my physical development without professional training? Weight-lifting is the answer. Of course, it was intolerable at times, but I endured so that I get larger muscles. I experienced a sense of accomplishment, and that was. After becoming a pro, I did not neglect my body. I'm trying to lead by example. I have matured through managing my body and spirit.

Over come through Belief
    There are times you will be hugely frustrated and disappointed.. I also have been disappointed. I have been overlooked before. Though I thought I could perform better than other, I held fast to the belief that one day “the sun would shine on me.” This type of thinking made my career stronger. It is important to maintain a positive mind.

My Ultimate Goal
    I want to be a good husband and a good father. Also, I want to be a legend in my career; a respected volleyball player. I want to play volleyball for a long time and it will be possible if I play consistently. In fulfilling my goals, I graduated from graduate school with a few qualifications. Do you know the average life-span of athlete? It is so short, especially in case of volleyball players. Through unremitting efforts, I will continue towards my dreams and hopefully not have to worry about retirement.

A Moment for Pondering upon Dreams; Youth
    Our college years are the years where we often worry about achieving our goals. Do not stress too much, just enjoy your life. I think you will be able to enjoy studying hard and playing. After deciding what to do, work toward making your dream come true. You know what they say, “Failure is a wonderful teacher.” If you are able to overcome failure, your dream will be right there. Always keep a positive mind and love yourself. All you have to do is to love and believe in yourself.

By Lee Ji-hye CP Reporter
sisjihye@cnu.ac.kr