When compared to the vast timescape represented by a decade, four weeks is but a drop in the bucket. For current and former Gustavus student-athletes waiting for the weekly Athlete of the Decade votes to roll in on Facebook and Twitter, however, it must have felt like an eternity. On the Men’s side of the bracket, the final vote was especially intense, coming down to Seth Anderson (’12, Men’s Basketball) and Mohanad Ahlouni (’18, Men’s Tennis).
Some of Anderson’s greatest athletic accomplishments while wearing the black & gold include the title of NABC and D3Hoops.com All-American, 2011-12 MIAC MVP (as well as a two-time all-conference team member), and a Gustavus Men’s Basketball program record of 45 points in a game. Ahlouni boasted an impressive resume of athletic prowess as well, with standout achievements including the title of 2017-18 Gustavus Athlete of the Year, four All-American honors, and three ITA Midwest Regionals championships, all rounded out by the 2017 ITA National championship. It was these impressive statistics that would propel Ahlouni to a victory at the virtual polls, taking the crown of Gustavus Male Athlete of the Decade.
Ahlouni reacted to his newest athletic title, his time as a Gustie Student-Athlete, his current career as a pro tennis player and coach, and lessons learned both on and off the tennis courts.

Q: What was your favorite thing about being a member of Gustavus Tennis? How big of a role did your team play in helping you accomplish your goals?
MA: “I think the biggest thing is how close with each other we were. It didn’t really matter if you were a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior, I think the whole philosophy of the team was really including everyone. I think that, right off the bat, gave me some confidence to excel from there…From number one on the team to number 15 or 17, they would always bring their A-game in practices…We’ve always challenged each other to be the best that we could be.”
Q: How do you apply lessons or resilience strategies you learned on the tennis court to your everyday life?
MA: “I’m a tennis pro, I coach at Lifetime [Fitness] in St. Louis Park right now, and I’m doing my
Master’s at the University of Minnesota in Sports Management…So, definitely a lot of the mindset, going to practice, going to matches, being around your teammates…Every single bit that I’ve learned from four years at Gustavus Men’s Tennis for sure helped me…And now, I’m doing it professionally. So, the kids I’m working with, I’m trying my best to give them things and lessons I didn’t know [then].”
Alhouni also cited one of the most influential mantras he still thinks about in his daily life, the “Three Crowns” of effort, sportsmanship and a good attitude.
Q: Are you still connected to former teammates, role models or coaches from Gustavus?
MA: “Yeah, for sure. Especially in these uncertain times, I got to connect with them even more, with the time and the space…I was able to connect with former teammates who live in Minneapolis, maybe we’d go and hit at a park…Same thing with coaches, [I could] connect with them through text messages. Whenever I come to Gustavus, I always try to go see the tennis bubble, go watch some matches…”
Q: What was your reaction when you learned that you were in the running for “Athlete of the Decade?”
MA: “I think one day I woke up and did see an Instagram post with two brackets…Then I looked closely, and that’s when I was, like, woah, it’s very cool to see just some of the greatest athletes to play in the last ten years…Just seeing what they’ve accomplished was pretty cool to see. After that, I was just pumped to see how everyone was involved with every vote. Even for me, [it was] probably one of the few times I was able to connect to family members from even Libya and Egypt…you know, back home a lot throughout the days. I’d send a link and ask them to please vote, and we’d reconnect again.”
Q: What’s your most profound memory of Gustie Athletics?
MA: “I think I cherish the little things about our whole Athletic department. Literally, from the trainer’s room, I’ve had amazing memories with Troy [Banse, Gustavus Head Athletic Trainer], just the little things before practice, whether I’m getting my ankle taped, and just the jokes we’d throw…Just seeing the whole Athletic department after you, it’s very neat to remember until this day. The most important thing that a lot of student athletes should learn about Gustavus athletics is that they care for everyone involved.”
Q: Were you familiar with any of the other athletes in the running? If so, how did you know them and did they positively impact you while at Gustavus?
MA: “Yeah, for sure. Like, Arthur [Parens] (‘18, Soccer) and Mitch Hendricks (‘16, Football)…And a couple [people] older than me, who were doing great…Seth Anderson, too, who was a finalist with me, I had heard his name and how he represented the Basketball team, but I didn’t really know how much impact he had on the Gustavus Basketball team, how he helped even after, with the Special Olympics and the work he’s doing now…I think watching other sports gave me the incentive to do good at what I’m doing, and just being able to represent the tennis program well.”
Q: Do you have any advice for current Gusties, especially looking towards this very different school year in terms of sports?
MA: “Definitely to be able to have a positive mindset about this. You know, I think a lot of upcoming, future Gusties [should] be able to trust that they’re in good hands. If you’re able to have a positive mindset about it and take care of your academics, and for those of us who maybe wanna play a sport at a high-level DIII school like Gustavus, don’t put too much stress on that. You’ll still end up enjoying your experience. If everything opens up again and things get back to normal, the sport will come. Trust that Gustavus will give you all the support and they’ll be behind you.”
Ahlouni, as well as every other Gustavus athlete who was in the running for the Athlete of the Decade, left a mark on their respective programs that will last a lifetime, and set a successful tone for Gustavus Athletics that’s sure to last for decades to come, regardless of challenge and tribulation.