Fox student-athlete spotlight
Temple Fencing: Natalie Adams Kim
By Ethan Duer
In our latest Q&A series, we highlight the student-athlete experience at Fox.
Risk management and insurance / international business dual major and member of the women’s fencing program.
Natalie Adams Kim, class of 2026, is a foilist for the Temple Owls fencing program. (Photo courtesy of Temple Athletics)
Q&A with Fox
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Natalie Adams Kim is a member of the Temple Owls fencing team. A junior dual major in risk management and insurance and international business, Kim details her experience as a student-athlete at the Fox School. She shares how she’s utilized the school’s student resources as well as the moment when she first realized she wanted to be a part of Temple’s fencing program.
Name: Natalie Adams Kim
Sport: Fencing
Hometown: Philadelphia (J.R. Masterman High School)
Major: Risk Management and Insurance and International Business (dual major)
Favorite student-athlete memory: “Honestly, there are so many! While there are great memories made during competition, like defeating a difficult opponent, many of my favorite memories are made away from competing, like team dinners before our meets or when we traveled to Rome for our preseason winter training camp.”
(Photo courtesy of Temple Athletics)
What does it mean to you to be a student-athlete at the Fox School of Business?
Being a student-athlete at Fox means balancing two competitive, demanding, yet rewarding spaces. This balance of academics and athletics has taught me time management, resilience and the importance of balance. To be a student-athlete means pushing myself in both fencing and business—I feel motivated to excel in school, on the strip (playing surface) and in my future career!
What was your decision process like when choosing to attend Temple?
When I chose Temple, I had a few criteria elements in mind. First, I knew I wanted to be in a city—and I love Philadelphia—so it fulfilled that category. I had also been watching my sister compete in NCAA fencing, and when I would attend her meets, Temple stood out so much: the bond and the energy that their group had was unmatched by any other team in the room. Academics was also a crucial factor in my decision. The risk management program at the Fox School is one of the best in the country, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. Now that I am here, I am fortunate to also be in the risk management and insurance student professional organization, Gamma Iota Sigma, which has provided countless opportunities to expand my network and learn more about the industry.
How has Fox supported your pursuits as a student-athlete?
Fox as a whole, especially the professors, have all been very supportive of my athletic endeavors. Some professors have even taken the time to come to a meet to watch me compete! Every professor, faculty and staff member truly showcases the dedication that the school provides to each of its students. Fox Honors has also played a huge role in helping me gain access to difficult courses and balancing the work with my athletic endeavors. Having access to resources such as the Center for Student Professional Development (CSPD) has also been incredibly helpful in my professional journey while balancing athletics and school.
Liv Hummel (#20) on the court. (Photo courtesy of Temple Athletics)
“I’ve been fortunate enough to already have met a lot of business professionals and people who work within my goal industry of accounting that have mentioned how much they love hiring former student athletes”
How will your student-athlete experience benefit you beyond your time at Temple?
As a student-athlete, I have learned many crucial skills that will follow me throughout my life. Learning skills such as teamwork and leadership, I feel ready to take the next steps in my career. Interacting with all disciplines of people within the sport also exercises a crucial muscle. Learning how to navigate complex problems under pressure with coaches, peers, professors, teammates and faculty really strengthens my skills needed for networking, interviewing and just negotiating in life after college!
What would you say to a prospective student-athlete who is considering coming to Temple?
The student-athlete experience here at Temple is very special. For someone considering joining our fencing program, I would talk about how special our team is. As a program, we give a lot of value to the important concepts of balance, perseverance, communication, aspiring to excellence and empowerment. I would also talk about the vast resources that are offered to us as student-athletes, for example, the Resnick Academic Support Center.
What do you hope to achieve this spring semester? (Both athletically and academically)
Academically, I want to achieve a 4.0 GPA. This semester will be a challenge as I am taking both of my capstone classes, but I want to push myself for that goal. Regarding career development, I have my summer plans set through the help of Fox’s resources. Athletically, I want to maintain my resilience and continue to succeed on the strip (playing surface)! I hope to make it to regionals and perhaps go undefeated against a school with a top-10 fencing program.
(Photo courtesy of Temple Athletics)
Student-Athletes at Fox
Each academic year, a select group of students from Temple University’s Fox School of Business represents the school in a place beyond the classroom: NCAA collegiate athletics.
Participating across a variety of Temple Athletics programs, the Fox School is proud to be the academic home for many student-athletes.