Describe your family. How have they helped you in your athletic career?
My family consists of my mom, Cindy, my dad, Russ, and my brother, Brad, who is a freshman at UW this year. I have an awesome family and we are all extremely close, and I think athletics is a tribute to why that is the case. My mom was always the one who encouraged my brother and me to play as many sports as possible growing up. She made this rule growing up that if we decided not to participate in sports year round in high school, then we had to get a job, thus resulting in my brother and I both playing three sports in high school. My mom and dad are my biggest fans, and over the years they have sacrificed so much for me, they are the sole reasons to why I am even able to come to PLU and play football. I love them very much.

Describe any hardship or extenuation circumstances that you have faced to get to where you are today. Well, I wouldn’t really say this was a hardship, but my sophomore year at PLU I was moved to tight end. I was the worse tight end in PLU football history. I struggled with it all year long because the only position that I ever played growing up was quarterback; I never even played defense. I hated it, I thought about quitting, transferring schools, and every other negative thought you could imagine. But I finally just accepted it and it was actually one of the best years I have had at PLU. But the following spring, I finally talked to (head coach) Scott (Westering) and convinced him to move me back to QB for my junior year. I think it has worked out pretty well ever since.

What made you decide to come to PLU?
I didn’t know I was going to go to PLU until very late into my senior year. I had other plans, but then I talked to a couple former PLU football players and thought it sounded like a great place. Best decision I ever made.

Have you studied abroad? If so, describe your experience?
I went to Italy last year, and it was probably the greatest time of my life. The best part was that I went with four of my best friends. I can’t even express my experience, it was just amazing.

What has been your favorite class at PLU?
I think it was Comm 213. It was Professor Wells' Communication Writing class. I really enjoyed that class.

Have you had any trouble balancing athletics with academics?
I think every athlete at some point in their career battles the balancing act of school and athletics. It sometimes can be stressful, but it is just something that I have come accustomed to and it’s something you just have to deal with if you’re going to be an athlete. Our football staff is very, very good about putting academics first, so if for any reason I felt that I needed to leave practice early or miss a football meeting for school, they were very understanding.

What are your plans after college?
That is a great question. Ideally I will be going back to school to get my MBA, but as of right now I need to gain some work experience first, either in the marketing field or some other business related field. I also have thrown around the idea of being a graduate assistant next year for a college football team. I just can’t really see myself leaving the game that abruptly.

When your athletic career is all said and done, what is it that you would want people to say about you?
I hope people look at me as a person who worked extremely hard and never settled for mediocrity. I want people to remember me as a good teammate, but a better friend.

Describe your hometown and what you miss about it the most.
Yakima…The Palm Springs of Washington. Ha…I would say the only thing that I miss about Yakima is that my entire family is still there. It wasn’t too bad of a place growing up, but I will say that I love and miss the Eastern side of the state a lot, and I miss experiencing all four seasons.

What's your favorite spot on campus?
Our practice field.

What is your favorite restaurant in Tacoma?
Indochine

What music is playing in your ipod right now?
Incubus - Dig

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