CHICAGO--Olurotimi Akindele '15 was a member of the Scarlet Hawks men's soccer team (2013-14). The political science major from Jos, Nigeria accumulated one goal and two assists and four points over 17 career games. Akindele's goal occurred in a 4-1 loss to Robert Morris University on October 5, 2013.
What is your favorite memory about your time as a Scarlet Hawk, on or off the playing surface?: Practice sessions with my teammates and coaches, participating in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC), as well as away games followed by post game meals with teammates.
What are you most proud of from your time as a Scarlet Hawk?: When I was named Student-Athlete of the Year and also awarded the Excellence in Sports Award, it was a joyful and memorable day. Athletics unleashes freedom for you to express your energy, emotions, and creativity.
What advice would you give to your college self or current Scarlet Hawks?: I would tell my college self and current Scarlet Hawks to ask more questions. Always find time to reflect and worry less. Studies have proven that 85% of what you worry about will never happen. Positivity can be harmful when it is insincere, and used to deflect or sidetrack issues instead of facing them. Have a healthy balance: academically, athletically, and with your job pursuit. Don't overpressure yourself with everything. Challenges are inevitable, but don't obsess over them and carry disappointment around. Better days are conceivable, so soldier on in hope. Evolve, be adaptable, and don't have a fixed mentality. There's always an opportunity for growth in every area of life.
Where do you currently live and what do you do for a career?: I happily live in Chicago. I work for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
How did your collegiate career prepare you for life after college?: I learned how to multi-task productively. As a student-athlete, you are moving from early morning practice sessions to the classroom, and then back to training in the evening. The next thing you know, you're preparing for an upcoming quiz/exam. So undoubtedly, my collegiate career prepared me to be an efficient and productive multi-tasker. And on a funny note, I still stay fit and hydrated. Exercising and drinking enough water was a good habit I acquired as a student-athlete.
What personal or professional accomplishments are you most proud of since you graduated from Illinois Tech?: Two things come to mind. When I was a recruiting manager at the U.S Department of Commerce, my recruiting team had the highest recruiting percentage in the nation during the 2020 decennial census. I am happy we were able to accomplish that by contributing through recruitment, awareness, and public engagement to increase the workforce needed for the national census. The second accomplishment is contributing to the advancement of the faster payments initiative for the Federal Reserve.
How are you still involved with your sport?: Through mentoring; I am thankful to Head Coach Marc Colwell for asking me to stay involved via a mentorship role for the Illinois Tech men's soccer team. I still play pick-up soccer games with my brothers around Chicago.
What attribute from your time as a student-athlete has helped you in your professional career the most?: Having a team mentality, being prepared, organized, juggling multiple tasks, understanding the value of teamwork, accepting responsibility, and being accountable to my team. A sense that whatever I do will affect others because it takes teamwork to execute an operation.
