JN: What was the reason you came to USM? Was it more because of the athletics, or was it for the academics?
DK: Well I went to UMaine in Orono my freshman year and went there for the academics. I walked on to the men’s soccer team there. Then, after losing every game my freshman year, I realized I just wanted to play and have fun. So I guess I came to USM more to play. I also heard the Biology program here was good so it met my academic needs as well.
JN: I see you went to high school in Massachusetts. Was that a prep school? If so do you think playing at that level helped you progress your soccer career?
DK: Yeah, Wilbraham and Monson Academy was a private school I went to in Mass. In my situation where I lived, playing at the prep school level definitely helped progress my soccer skills and career. My hometown team wasn’t very good and at WMA I was able to accomplish a lot of goals I set for myself and with the team. I also played on the state soccer team, which helped me as well.
JN: What is your favorite part of the athletics program here at USM?
DK: My favorite part of athletics at USM is the different people you meet here. I like the coaches, but it has to be the friends that you meet here and get to know.
JN: How is the team meshing this year? Are you guys coming together well?
DK: The team is meshing pretty well right now, and I think the team chemistry will be good this year. We lost a lot of talent last year and a lot of returning players didn’t come back, so we had quite a few spots to fill for this year. Of course there will be some problems, but hopefully we will overcome them.
JN: What has been the best experience you have had playing for the soccer team here at USM for the last three years?
DK: The best experience I have had here playing at USM was winning the LEC season title last year. It was probably one of our biggest games vs. RIC and the fans made it all the better. It was one of the best games we had played and won 1-0. After the game I had never seen the team so happy and some of the fans went crazy.
JN: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
DK: Hopefully in 5 years I will see myself graduating medical school and finding some sort of internship in pediatrics. My dream is to become a pediatric surgeon.
JN: Thanks David, and good luck for the rest of the season.