Oct. 2, 2008
GoRedbirds.com sat down with senior quarterback Kevin Brockway and asked him to give Redbird Athletics fans an inside look into his life in the new feature series Through the Eyes Of... The series will give an insider's perspective into the lives of many Redbird student-athletes throughout the coming months.
GoRedbirds.com: You were the backup quarterback for the past three seasons. How did watching Luke Drone and working with the coaches prepare you to be the starting quarterback this season?
Kevin Brockway: Luke was a great player here. I tried to learn from what he did well. He was a good leader and taught me what to do, both on-and-off the field. When you watch a guy throw for as many yards as he did, you have to pick up on something or you are never going to play.
GR: How do you think including North Dakota State and South Dakota State in the Missouri Valley Football Conference will increase the competition of the conference?
KB: It is going to increase the competition, for sure. We know how good North Dakota State is. We played them last year and we had our hands full. North Dakota State and South Dakota State were good teams in their conferences from years past. We all signed here to play the best and beat the best. We know now that this is one of the best conferences, and we are looking forward to it.
GR: What is your favorite moment as a Redbird?
KB:I would have to say when I was redshirt-freshman (2005). When we went to Southern Illinois and beat them, 61-35. It was awesome. Southern Illinois' stadium was packed, and every time we went for a touchdown, their fans went silent. Seeing their fans leave after the third quarter was pretty neat as a visiting team. I would have to say it was my best memory as a Redbird, so far.
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THROUGH THE EYES OF ... |
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GR: What is your favorite thing about playing football?
KB: My favorite thing about playing is game day. In high school, you come out under the lights, and the place is packed and everyone is coming to watch you. It is the same in college. We come out of the tunnel and hit the Battle Bird, and the place is packed. It is fun to play in front of a lot of people.
GR: Do you have any pregame rituals? What are they?
KB: Pregame rituals. I would have to say I do not really have any but I do not eat a lot. I would rather play on an empty stomach rather than eat a lot. I get pretty nervous before games, so I do not want to eat too much.
GR: When did you realize you wanted to pursue football at the college level?
KB: I realized I wanted to play football in college when I was a sophomore in high school. As a freshman, I did not play quarterback but I played tight end. When I was a sophomore, my friend's dad was the head sophomore football coach and wanted to stick me in as the quarterback right before the season started. Things worked out, and we had a good year. We went 9-1 during my sophomore season. After that, everyone said if you work hard, you may be able to play college football. So after that is when most of my focus was on playing in college.
GR: What do you like to do during your free time?
KB: I like to go to movies. I watch a lot of movies and fishing. I like golfing. My brother works at a country club in Chicago, and he is a big time golfer. He actually got me hooked this summer. Those are the three big things I do in my free time.
GR: What are your plans/goals after graduation?
KB: After graduation, I am a health education and physical education major, so I would want to get a teaching job. I want to go back to the Chicagoland area. I hope to teach and coach. If football happens, then so be it, but right now, I am focused on playing for the Redbirds and no one else. Future plans will probably be a teacher and a coach.
GR: Who has been a major influence in your life?
KB: I would have to say my high school football coach, Jim Stuglass. He was a big inspiration to me; always looked after me and gave me advice. He has been like a second father to me, and he has always been there when I needed him. He has gotten me through some hard times and gotten me out of rough situations. He has been a good guy; I know he will always be there for me.
Be sure to visit GoRedbirds.com Friday when it provides an inside look at the life of junior volleyball player Peggy Riessen in the new student-athlete feature series "Through the Eyes Of..."
