Henri Bourque

Henri Bourque, jersey number 7, is a graduate transfer student athlete from Merrimack College who is obtaining his MBA at Norwich University Online. He joined the Norwich Cadets as a wide receiver to continue his years-long history of football.

Since you came into Norwich as a graduate student, you'd already completed your
degree. Why did you choose Norwich to complete your graduate studies?
I chose Norwich because of its strong reputation both academically and athletically, as
well as the flexibility it gave me. The online program allows me to balance my studies
with football effectively.

OK, so you said strong reputation. What do you mean by that?
Being a part of Alumni Weekend, it really confirmed what I’ve known about Norwich.
The sense of pride that people have in this university, both academically and athletically
is special. It’s clear that the Norwich community deeply values its traditions and
achievements, and that pride is what fuels its strong reputation. Being part of that kind
of environment only reinforced that I made the right decision.

What was appealing to you about doing classes online as opposed to in person?
The online format gave me flexibility to manage my schedule effectively,
allowing me to complete coursework at times that fit around my football commitments. I
knew it would challenge me but also that I would be able to do the work when I could
(when I had the time to do it).

Do you find that sometimes you're staying up really late or getting up really early to do your coursework?
Not at all, it’s manageable because I can schedule a time to do it around football. I'm not
really staying up too late to do it. I figure out what needs to be done, when it needs to be
done, and then make a plan to do it.

What was your undergraduate degree in?
I have a Bachelor of Science in business administration. It made it an easy choice to
transition to getting my MBA at Norwich.

Football is demanding, especially this time of year. Do you ever find it overwhelming to participate in sports and be a full-time student?
I think it can be challenging for anybody to be a full-time student and an athlete, but you
find ways to balance both and manage it.

Have you developed any strategies to help you stay on top of both your studies and to stay in peak shape for football that you would like to share?
I would definitely say that time management is key. Setting goals, especially on a
weekly basis during the season, ensuring that I get enough rest at night, and then
focusing on nutrition keeps me mentally sharp for games, practices, and class.

Do your coaches provide support for your academic life at the college?
Yes, the coaches are very understanding and supportive of my academic.
goals. I think Norwich in general fosters a strong community of encouraging academic
success alongside athletic performance. The coaches set time aside for academics and
they understand what's important and why you're at Norwich.

Do you feel that your professors and other faculty members are supportive of your
athletic demands?
I'm in the graduate program, so a lot of people are working professionals. As an athlete
they know that we also have demanding athletic schedules and because of that I don't
think the professors overwhelm us with work. They understand that people have other
responsibilities outside of the academic realm.

What advantages do you see to pursuing your degree online, specifically as a student athlete?
I think the biggest advantage is the flexibility it offers. I can work around my athletic
schedule and the online platform allows me to learn at my own pace without sacrificing
other commitments. I use my time on the bus or on the way to games to complete some
of my classwork.

Do you think that your experience being a member of a sports team for so many years has prepared you for the group related coursework at Norwich?
Absolutely. Being part of a sports team for so long has really sharpened my teamwork
and leadership skills, both of which are essential in group course work. Finding ways to
adapt and get everyone working together is essential even in different settings. My
experience with different sports teams has definitely helped me navigate those
challenges.

What would you say to another student athlete who was considering following the online path after finishing their undergrad?
With good time management, the flexibility of online education allows you to excel both
academically and athletically, and so long as you stay on top of it, it's a great
opportunity, especially at Norwich. I definitely recommend they do it, especially at a
school like this.

How would you describe Norwich to someone who's never heard of it?
Norwich is a prestigious university with a very strong sense of community and it's a
unique combination of rigorous academics and competitive athletics.

In the future, when you finish your degree, what's the next step for you?
After Norwich I plan to leverage my MBA and athletic experience to pursue a career
in business, first in operations, and then eventually as a proprietor. I also want to stay
involved in football in some capacity.

You mentioned becoming a proprietor. Is there anything specific you had in mind?
A small business, I need to get some more hands-on experience. My father has worked
33 years in the painting business, so I want to learn from him as well. I can take what I
learned from the MBA and combine it with what I learned from my father.

What would you say to someone who is hesitant about relocating to Vermont to
continue their education?
I would say there is no reason to be (hesitant). It's something that's a great opportunity for
people to be a part of and it's also such a unique place that people are passionate about.

If someone comes to check out Norwich or tours the campus, where is some place that they must eat at before they leave?
Depot Square Pizzeria, downtown.