GoRedbirds.com sat down with senior tailback Walter Mendenhall 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: When did you realize Illinois State was where you wanted to finish your collegiate football career?
Walter Mendenhall: March or April of this year. Just talking to a former teammate in high school, a former player here, Alex Spelling, he told me this was a great place to be ,and that's why I am here.
GR: What has been your most memorable football moment?
WM: My most memorable football moment was going to the Rose Bowl last year with Illinois.
GR: What goals do you have for yourself in the upcoming season?
WM: To be the starting running back, to run over 1,000 yards and to make it to the NFL.
GR: How does ISU's football program compare to the other teams you have played on?
WM: There is a lot of talent here; the guys are real welcoming, and the football team is a team.
GR: How have you gotten to know the guys on the team?GR: What was the hardest part about transferring to Illinois State and joining the Redbird football team?
WM: Going somewhere different. I was so used to one place, and going to a new place is kind of scary, but the guys have been real welcoming and nice to me.
WM: I room with a couple of guys and I meet them in the locker room and go to their house and play cards and video games.
GR: What is one thing you would tell a transfer player to help them get more comfortable on a new team?
WM: Be open and be friendly and guys will be friendly back.
GR: In what area has your game improved from previous seasons?
WM: Not taking it for granted going out there every day and playing like it is your last because you never know when it will be your last.
GR: You are currently pursuing a master's degree in history. Do you think it will be difficult to balance your sport with coursework?
WM: No. I have been doing it for four years now. I graduated with a major and minor, and I just feel like it will be easy.
GR: What teams are you most excited to play in the Missouri Valley Football Conference?
WM: Good teams. North Dakota State and Southern Illinois. It is a tough conference, so every week is going to be fun.
GR: Do you have any advice to incoming freshmen to help them become successful football players at the collegiate level?
WM: Take the right guys to look up to.
GR: Do you have any pregame rituals?
WM: Read Psalms scripture 27 in the Bible before I go out and play. It's about protection and not fearing.
GR: How have you been training, knowing that you have to compete to get playing time against four other tailbacks on the roster?
WM: Coming out early and learning the plays in the playbook, reading and praying and hoping everything works out.
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