Josh LaBella – General Assignment Reporter
Satchel Harrell, a freshman athletic training major, said he first heard about Southern when he was living in Japan.
“I actually came to Southern because, in Japan, a high school teacher of mine’s brother went here and said I would really like it,” said Harrell.
Harrell lived in Japan for two and a half years when his dad was stationed there with the United States Marine Corps, he said. Before that he said grew up in Murrieta, California, which is an hour between Los Angeles and San Diego, where his dad was stationed at Camp Pendleton.
Harrell said he is happy with his decision to come to Southern and he really enjoys the atmosphere.
“It’s a very chill school,” Harrell said, “I love how something is always going on.”
Harrell said his favorite class is exercise science 185, taught by Matt Rothbard.
“I love that class,” said Harrell. “We wrap and tape and he’s a really good teacher overall, so it’s a lot of fun.”
Harrell said he was worried about his freshman year at Southern but it went a lot better than he expected.
“I thought I was going to get all C’s and B’s like in high school,” said Harrell. “But I’m getting A’s and it feels good.”
Harrell added that getting good grades takes a lot of work but it is well worth it.
“I study a ton,” said Harrell. “It takes up a sad amount of my time.”
When he is not doing school work, Harrell said he likes to work out and go on runs, usually in the morning. He said he lives in Wilkinson Hall and spends a lot of time there with his girlfriend, Rachel Iassogna.
“She’s great,” said Harrell, “We have a lot of fun together.”
When Harrell graduates he wants to become an officer in the Marines, he said. Coming from a military family, Harrell said he always knew he wanted to follow in their footsteps.
“Everyone in my family is connected to the military,” said Harrell. “Both on my mom and dad’s sides of the family. They are either in the military or are married to someone in the military.”
Harrell said his dad is a sergeant major in the Marine Corps and began serving in 1991, but he does not want to be enlisted like him. He said he made this decision because officers get to be in charge of people instead of taking orders, they make more money and have more responsibilities.
To do this, Harrell said he has been attending physical training sessions at Yale and that it is easier for him to do so in the summer. He said if he gets into the program he wants to, he will have to go to a summer training and that will be several weeks long. Either way, Harrell said he knows he wants to lead.
“I’m not the cook,” said Harrell, “I’m the chef.”
Photo Credit: Josh LaBella