CHICAGO — Chicago's Cam Fenton is taking his new role as an intern with the University of Illinois Athletics strength and conditioning department one rep at a time.
The Lindblom graduate and Ashburn native, 22, recently started his internship — where he trains Illini baseball and softball players — after graduating from the school with a degree in Kinesiology in May.
"It's about perseverance," Fenton said. "You set a goal, make a plan, have your sights set on one thing. If you really want something, you should go after it. That's what I'm doing with my career."
Fenton was a captain on Lindblom's football team and had been obsessed with weightlifting since high school. He almost tried out for the Illini football squad as a freshman, but instead decided to focus on academics.
Fenton first was a pre-med major but switched to Kinesiology because he felt lifting and conditioning was a form a medicine where he could have more interaction with his patients or clients.
Justin Breen says Fenton has big dreams in college athletics:
Though Fenton's internship in the early morning hours is unpaid, he also spends dozens of hours a week as a paid personal trainer. Last year, he was named personal trainer of the year for Illinois' campus recreation center.
Fenton's primary goals are increasing student-athletes' strength, speed and agility, either with workouts in the weight room or on the playing field. It's his way, Fenton said, of also staying in the game.
"Even though I'm not playing anymore, being around the athletes and helping them train, it's almost like I'm back on the field," said Fenton, who reports to strength coach Zach Boone. "It's the closest thing to it."
Fenton wants to attend graduate school at either Georgia, Texas or Texas A&M next year, then work full-time in a major college athletics department. He also said he hopes to be a positive example for fellow South Side natives.
"The one thing a lot of people don't have — they don't see enough people doing what they need to be doing," Fenton said. "I love the city of Chicago. I want to be a role model and give back."
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