Elijah Poritzky ’25

Elijah Poritzky ’25 didn’t always have Furman University or even college as a part of his plan. A standout tennis player who spent his teenage years training in Spain and competing internationally, he once envisioned going straight to the pros. But when the COVID-19 pandemic derailed global tournaments, Poritzky pivoted – and that unexpected choice would end up shaping him far beyond the tennis court.

“I never even got to visit Furman,” Poritzky said. “The tennis coaches reached out to me and I really made that first connection with them. I kind of just picked the school not knowing anything. I was so lucky that I got to this beautiful campus.”

Now a senior communications studies major and preparing to graduate, Poritzky reflects on his time at Furman with gratitude and relief. The choice to combine tennis and a degree gave him flexibility, but it also unlocked a new sense of purpose.

“I’ve grown not just as a tennis player, but as a person,” he said. “I’ve gained so many skills – people skills, communication skills, marketing skills. I’m just so happy I made this choice.”

That growth extended beyond the classroom. Poritzky became vice president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and served as captain of the tennis team. “I never thought I would be in leadership positions,” he said. “But I love being with the team and feeling like I’m helping bring things together and celebrating success as a team.”

Still, his journey wasn’t without adversity. A wrist injury in the summer of 2024 forced Poritzky to reevaluate his dreams of playing professional tennis. “It’s gotten worse and it’s painful to play,” he admitted. “There’s been a bit of a shift in my goals, and that has been hard to navigate, but Furman has given me opportunities, connections and skills I can lean on if I can’t go pro.”

Internships in social media marketing, including one with Furman’s Office of Admissions and another with a tennis gear company, helped him see what else was possible. Perhaps most transformative was the personal development Furman sparked. And with or without tennis, Poritzky is confident he’ll be ready for what’s next.

“No matter what I have to do, I’ll adapt and do my best in that situation.”