April 13, 2005

Tom Braun is a senior in the McDonough School of Business and a right-handed pitcher for the Georgetown Hoyas. He is second in Georgetown history with seven saves in a single season. Tom shared his thoughts on Georgetown, baseball, and life after the Hilltop.

Interview by Simon Nurse, Sports Information Student Assistant

Simon Nurse: What motivated you to come to Georgetown after being drafted in 2001 by Oakland?
Tom Braun: It was really a big honor to be drafted, as for any kid, but it was really important to me to get a good education. I really thought that if I couldn't do well in college baseball, then I couldn't do well in professional baseball. So I thought why not go to college and get a great degree, at a great school and see what happens.

SN: How different is DC from Kingwood, Texas?
TB: It's amazingly different. The people were really tough to get used to and also the seasons. You actually have seasons in DC...there are no seasons in Texas. It's either hot or less hot. So, it was a big adjustment for me, but I've come to love it and I've come to not want to move back to Texas. I really want to stay in DC after I graduate this year.

SN: How has life on the Hilltop and in the Business School been?
TB: It's been an amazing experience here at Georgetown. I really enjoy the Business School, but a lot of people think that it generates carbon copies of each student. I really think it has helped me become a better student and leader. The group projects and the teamwork actually helped me develop for my future profession.

SN: What has been your favorite class in the McDonough School of Business (MSB)?
TB: Favorite class...hmmm. Let me think about this one. I really enjoy Professor Ronkainen's International Business and International Marketing classes. He's a tremendous professor, who gets his students involved and who wants them to succeed. It's been a pleasure to be in his class for two semesters.

SN: I hear that you're looking for post-graduate jobs at the moment; what advice would you give others about how to begin the process?
TB: Some advice I'd give is to not stress about it. I remember last semester I was really, really worried about it, but just don't worry about it. Find something you really want to do, because you don't have to have a job coming out of college. And instead of taking a job you don't want to do, I'd say take time and look at what you want to do. Find something you really are interested in, because you're not going to succeed in it unless you really want to do it.

SN: I guess now for a few questions about baseball. Last season you came one save from the Georgetown single season save record and this year you broke the career save record. How important is the record to you?
TB: I would say breaking any record is an honor. I really take a lot of pride in being the closer for the team. Not so much for the save record, but the fact that we have come so far as a team in the last few years. I remember my freshman year we won nine games the whole season. And for last year to have twenty-four, one of the most for Georgetown, I feel that I played a big part in that and helped the team succeed. I think getting the save record isan honor, but I'd really rather see the team win more games. And if I could help then that's even better.

SN: So many players have rituals, superstitions and routines for games; do you have any in particular?
TB: I actually am a pretty superstitious guy and I do everything the same. One thing I've always been told not to do is to play catch on the foul line and I'm pretty particular about things like that. I don't do anything really big, but just enough superstition that it ends up becoming a routine.

SN: What's your best pitch?
TB: I would have to say my split finger. It seems to generate outs and if I can throw for a strike then it's definitely my best pitch.

SN: What are your favorite team and favorite player?
TB: Being from Houston, I'd have to say the Astros. They really struggled and last year' having a successful season, making the playoffs and losing to St. Louis in the NLCS. Being a closer, I'd have to say my favorite player would be Billy Wagner. He throws a hundred miles per hour and is an amazing pitcher.

SN: Earlier you said you would like to stay in DC, so how do you feel about the Nationals?
TB: I can't wait. I'm looking at after finishing up at Georgetown, really looking into getting a season ticket package and definitely being a huge supporter of the Nationals. I'm really looking forward to seeing them play.

SN: Just to finish up, I know you're an avid runner, so what plays in your MP3 player while you're on a run?
TB: I have a different mix than most people. I have a little bit of everything. I've got the hard stuff, the hip-hop, the country stuff...just a little bit of everything. It all depends on the mood I'm in on a particular day. I'd have to say my favorite artist is Pat Green. He's a country performer, but not many people know him...he's pretty big in Texas.