BU’s Hidden Athlete

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A Q&A with the Data Science Major Who Can Play It All

BOSTON — Each semester, Sean’s backpack tells a story. Some things remain constant: his Starbucks uniform, neatly folded and faintly smelling of espresso, and his laptop, perpetually low on battery after long days of data science and advertising homework. But one thing always changes—his sport of the semester. One fall, it’s a tennis racket tucked into the side pocket. By winter, basketball shoes take its place. Most recently, a hockey stick pokes awkwardly out of the bag, marking Sean’s latest challenge.

Meet Sean, a junior with a data science major at Boston University who’s challenged himself to try a different sport each semester in college. Born in Russia and adopted by a California family, Sean’s childhood is filled with memories of learning tennis from his grandmother and cheering for the San Francisco 49ers with his parents. 

During his freshman year, Sean started by returning to a familiar favorite: tennis, a sport he played throughout high school. By sophomore year, he decided to push himself in new ways, running the B.A.A. Half Marathon in the fall and joining an intramural basketball league in the spring. Now, as a junior, he’s taken on hockey, joining a local league where players of all ages and skill levels hit the ice together. When he’s not playing, he’s working on his minor in advertising, taking shifts at the Starbucks on campus, or cheering on BU hockey games with his friends.

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Sports have clearly been a big part of your life. What got you into them in the first place?

Growing up as an only child, sports were the easiest way to meet other kids. I started with soccer and T-ball when I was four, and it just clicked—I loved being active, but more than that, I loved how it has brought people together.

And that sense of connection has stuck with you?

Definitely. Even now, things like intramural basketball have introduced me to some of my closest friends. That connection and community are what keep me coming back.

I heard you started learning tennis with your grandma. That’s such a unique start. How did that shape your view of sports and relationships?

Being adopted from Russia and coming into a family in California, sports became one of the first ways I connected with them. My grandmother taught me tennis, and my dad played when he was younger, so it became a shared activity that brought us closer.

So, sports were a big family connection for you?

Huge. My family also loved the 49ers—we’d watch games together, cheering or yelling at the TV. And when I started playing sports, my parents were always at my games, supporting me from the sidelines. Sports have always been more than just games—they’ve been a way for me to build relationships and feel like I truly belong.

BU isn’t exactly known for its huge sports culture compared to schools like the Big Ten or Boston College. Did that affect your decision to come here?

Honestly, it didn’t impact my decision much. I’ve never been great at sports, so collegiate-level athletics weren’t in the cards for me. I wanted to focus on academics, and BU had everything I was looking for.

Was the lack of a football team a drawback?

A little bit—I even went to a BC game against Syracuse just to see what it was like. But I’ve found new ways to enjoy sports here. I’d never even watched hockey before coming to BU, and now I’m hooked. Even though BU isn’t a big sports school, it’s the perfect balance for me—competitive enough to enjoy but not overwhelming.

Since coming to BU, you’ve been trying a different sport every semester. What inspired that?

College felt like the perfect time to try new things. There’s probably never going to be another chance to start fresh with so many different activities, so I’ve been making the most of it.

How do you decide which sport to try next?

I just pick whatever sounds fun or feels like a challenge. Last semester, I picked up hockey, which has been amazing. I joined a local league with players ranging from beginners to experts, ages 20 to 50. It’s not just about learning the sport—it’s about stepping out of my comfort zone, meeting new people, and making the most of this time while I can.

You’re juggling a data science major and an advertising minor—that’s a lot. How do you make time for sports?

Staying active has always been a priority for me. My Thursdays, for example, go from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with classes, but I still make time for a 10 p.m. intramural basketball game.

Wow, that’s a late night. How do you stay consistent?

If it’s something I care about, I plan for it. With intramurals, it’s not a huge commitment, but it’s something I look forward to and a way to stay balanced.

Where do you see sports fitting into your life after BU?

I definitely see sports staying in my life, whether I’m exploring new ones or sticking with the ones I love.

Do you think your major ties into that at all?

For sure. As a data science major, I’d even like to tie sports into my career—maybe analyzing data for a sports organization or finding ways to connect my skills with my passion for staying active. Sports have always been about connecting with people and challenging myself, so I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

What has trying all these sports taught you about yourself?

It’s taught me that growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. Every time I pick up a new sport, I’m reminded that it’s okay not to be the best or know everything right away—it’s about showing up, learning, and finding connections along the way. Sports have given me more than just skills; they’ve given me confidence, resilience, and a community I didn’t know I needed. That’s something I’ll carry with me long after college.