UCLA-bound Day Nguyen stars on the Millikan teis court, classroom

AP testing may have created a slight wrinkle in scheduling for the Moore League teis finals, but Day Nguyen found a way to concur both obstacles.

While the Millikan High senior and future UCLA student has focused his life on teis for the last 14 years or so, he has also remained extremely focused in the classroom and will major in molecular biology begiing in the fall.

He took AP Physics 1 and 2, Govement, Macroeconomy, Statistics, and English Literature this year and found ways to allot the necessary time to balance it all.

“As for balancing the workload, I just continued what I have been doing for the past three years,” he said. “Such as getting ahead on my assignments, doing homework in school whenever I was free so that I can spend more time playing teis, and reducing the number of social outings I allow myself, to give myself more time to focus on my studies and sports.

“I plan on pursuing my academic pursuits at UCLA,” he added. “As for teis, I am not very sure what I will do. Perhaps club, or the (university) team if I get lucky.”

As the Rams’ leader for the better part of four seasons, Nguyen picked up his second pair of Moore League titles last week at the Billie Jean King Center, defeating Poly’s Adam Nagouey 6-0, 6-0 before teaming with Eric Taylor to beat Nagouey and Felippe Dacudao 6-3, 6-3 in doubles. He accomplished the same feat two seasons ago, locking down the double crown, before finishing as ruer-up in both disciplines as a junior.

“Teis is my life,” he said. “I have been playing since I was 4, and that is what my life is centered around. It has changed my life because it gave me the opportunity that not many kids get to have. It gave me new friends, one who I plan to dorm with next year, the discipline to stick with a long-term task and the ability to manage my time wisely.”

Whether or not he plays at the collegiate level, the scholar-athlete has been impacted endlessly by teis and his experience at Millikan.

“My teis career at Millikan was something that could not be emulated anywhere else,” he said. “It gave me an experience that was full of laughter, peer bonding and appreciation for what my team and I do. Though I had many downsides, in my four years of playing for Millikan, I feel like I played the best I could have, and that is all I can ask for. My most favorite memories are the times when the team had games and we would have our pregame rituals with my teammate, German, screaming at the top of his lungs.”

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The sport that has done so much for Nguyen’s life already continues to provide opportunities that he is most grateful for.

“What makes me tick as player is the idea of going to college,” he said. “Being in a first-generation (immigrant) family, college tuition is something that caot be easily afforded, including the fact that I also have three other siblings. By playing teis, I give myself a chance to go to college to obtain an education like my parents couldn’t have without drowning in student loan debts.”

The family line doesn’t appear to end with Day, however, as Millikan coach Torie Frapwell hopes to see her star players’ two younger brother wearing Millikan colors when the time comes, but will definitely miss Day’s presence.

“He’s had a really good season overall,” she said. “Nothing ever to be disappointed with with that family. It’s kind of bittersweet to hit the end now. I’ve got a few more years before (younger brother) Andy come up so I’ve got a little break in the Nguyen family, but overall (Day) just been a treat to have on the team. He’s got such good energy. The kids love him and so do I.”