The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Dizdar: A dynamic force on and off the court
04.01.2007 | Texas Athletics
You don't have to go any further than TexasSports.com to capture the innermost thoughts of Petra Dizdar, April's Female Student-Athlete of the Month.
Well, at least, her innermost thoughts about the 2007 Longhorns tennis team.
"Writing the diary has been a lot of fun," said the native of Split, Croatia, who is a public relations major.
"I always have enjoyed writing," the senior began. "When I was asked about writing an online diary, I was excited to do so. It gave me a chance to help the fans get to know all of us on the team as more than tennis players. I was happy to have the opportunity to do it, and it has been a great deal of fun."
As much fun as the Female Student-Athlete of the Month recognition that Dizdar earned.
"It is a great honor," said the two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team member and team academic MVP.
"There are so many people here who could be honored as student-athletes of the month," she continued, "so I am very pleased to receive this."
Dizdar also serves as the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) this year.
"We are the liaisons between the school and the student-athletes," Dizdar said. "We make certain all of the student-athletes are aware of things going on that may effect them. It's been a great experience."
As has her time at UT, where she was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2004 and two-time Big 12 Player of the Week. She also has been the team co-MVP and academic MVP for Women's Tennis.
And to think, Dizdar almost never came to The University of Texas. She had no interest in Texas.
As a highly-regarded junior player in Croatia -- she was a two-time World Junior National Champ in her native land -- Dizdar showed disdain at the prospect of coming to the state of Texas.
"Well," she began, laughing at those recollections. "I thought Texas was just cowboys and dusty trails."
The California schools, as well as the University of Georgia, pursued Dizdar, who was leaning towards the California schools until a friend of hers at Arizona State told her that she had to look at UT.
"Well, I gave it a shot," Dizdar said.
So impressed was she on her visit to The University that she canceled every other recruiting trip.
"I had a few people (in California) mad at me about that," Dizdar explained. "But when I got to Austin, well, it wasn't at all like I thought Texas was. I loved that it was so green here. It reminded me of home."
Texas will continue to be home for awhile for Dizdar, who has been accepted into the LBJ School of Public Affairs for her graduate work.
"I'm really excited about that," she said.
Dizdar admitted that she has swung more towards business school-wise, but understands the writing skills she is using in public relations are vital.
"Think about it," she began. "If you can't communicate well, you are not going to be able to have success in any part of business. You have to be able to tell people who you are and what you do."
As she does each week in the 'Dizdar diary.'
