Note: Hope Athletics is profiling student-athletes from all 22 of its varsity sports throughout the 2015-16 school year and highlighting their pursuits and achievements in the classroom. Seven stories will be shared during NCAA Division III Week from April 4-10.
Story and photo by Alan Babbitt
Hope College tennis player Michael Kiley likes to analyze situations and find the right solutions, whether he is on the court or in the classroom.
The freshman from Muskegon, Michigan (Mona Shores HS) is proving to be a quick study in both areas.
Kiley has earned the top spot in the Flying Dutchmen's singles lineup. He also plays second doubles.
In the classroom, Kiley already has decided to pursue a double major in computer science and engineering. He also plans to minor in Spanish.
"He's a super smart kid," Hope coach Adam Ford said. "He does learn quickly. We're trying to get more of advanced tennis, and he picks everything up so quick."
Kiley's drive and passion for learning helped him enter Hope as a sophomore academically.
He graduated No. 1 in his class at Mona Shores with a 4.41 grade point average after taking nine advancement placement classes. He was named the MLive Muskegon Chronicle's High School Tennis Player of the Year in December 2014, his senior season.
Kiley credits his parents for instilling in him the desire to be educated and try his hardest. The youngest of seven saw ample learning opportunities throughout his childhood.
"I've always felt driven to try to do my best," he said. "My parents taught me always to give my best effort, become the best I can be. They also instilled in me a love of learning.
The extra work in high school enabled Kiley to identify and focus on the courses he wanted to take at Hope.
"I did not have experience in programming and computers before I came to Hope," Kiley said. "I've learned a lot about it. I've been able to learn computer language, learn how computers work.
"Most of the world seems to be run by computers. Most people don't have a really good understanding of what's going on there. To finally be able to understand more of that attracted me to the field. There is a lot of room for imagination and creativity. That's what I want out of work."
While Kiley enjoys his studies and growing his digital knowledge base, he also loves the game of tennis and getting a chance to play.
Competing as a NCAA Division III student-athlete is not a burden, Kiley said. It has made a positive impact, he said.
"It's really helped me a lot as far as teaching me important lessons," Kiley said. "You have to believe in what you can do. In singles, you're the only guy out there. Tennis has taught me how to work in a team environment, especially in college. College tennis is such a team sport."
Becoming a better teammate will make Kiley a better computer programmer in the long run, he said.
"There is a lot of teamwork that goes into programming," he said. "With those huge industrial-size programs, it's not just one guy working on them. You work closely with a large group. There is so much to manage. You're forced to develop those skills."
