Aug. 24, 2007
Aug. 10, 2007
Washington, D.C. - Senior Stephen Smith (Upper Marlboro, Md./Eleanor Roosevelt) is entering his senior year on the Georgetown football team. This year, the linebacker is one of the team's two defensive captains and was selected to wear the prestigious No. 35 jersey (in memory of the late Joe Eacobacci). Practices for the Blue and Gray began on Monday and Stephen took some time out of his practice schedule to sit down with the Hoya Headliner...
HH: What did you do this summer?
SS: I worked for the Executive Office of the President (EOP), Office of Administration, Procurement branch. The previous two years I worked in the CFO office.
HH: What type of work did you do there?
SS: Procurement is the acquisition of contracts. There was a lot of contract law, rules and regulations to follow. Typically, day-to-day, I conducted market research for available vendors and products, as well as contractors for services. I made uncomplicated buys for customers within the EOP complex.
HH: What has been the best part of the job?
SS: The best part of my job so far was 2 years ago when I actually got to meet the head man, President Bush.
HH: Many of the football players stayed here through the summer for internships and to prepare for the season. How important was that for the team?
SS: Approximately 40 players stayed here for the summer, including incoming freshman. It really showed the dedication and effort that guys are willing to put in to get better and make this a winning program.
HH: You're one of the older players on the team now, entering your senior year. What advice did you have for the freshmen on the team when they came to campus?
SS: To stay focused and enjoy their time here. Time has definitely gone by fast, and the seniors - myself included - have begun to reflect on our time here. Freshmen should definitely start off strong in academics so that they aren't behind come their junior and senior years, but at the same time, they should enjoy their time here, because when people say it's the best four years of your life, they are absolutely right.
HH: What does your final year playing college football have in store for you?
SS: Hopefully my final year playing college football involves a lot of wins. That would make it the best.
HH: What does it mean to you to wear the #35 jersey this season?
SS: Wearing the #35 jersey means a lot to me. It's an honor to be selected to carry on the tradition of Georgetown University. I plan to carry on the legendary jersey to the best of my ability with honor, respect, and hard work.
HH: What is your favorite quote from Coach Kelly?
SS: Hair on fire mentality, which basically means going all out.
HH: What song gets you pumped up before games?
SS: Ummm, I listen to Lil' Wayne, Go-Go (a DC thing), and other artists. I have a play list called "Game-time" that I listen to before every game.
HH: If you could be on any reality show, which one would you choose? Why?
SS: I'd choose to be on Pros vs. Joes. I'd like to see how well I could compete against older professional athletes. I get mad because a lot of the Joes aren't athletically capable at all.
HH: Who is your favorite player of all-time in your particular sport?
SS: My favorite player of all time is LaVar Arrington. Some people may think he fell off, but in his prime, he was serious. One of my favorite plays was when he gave Troy Aikman a concussion and subsequently ended his career.
HH: What would you do if you won a million dollars?
SS: If I won a million dollars, I'd pay off all of my college loans, then I'd invest the rest of it, after I buy myself a few nice things.
HH: What do you like to do in the off-season?
SS: In the off-season I like to work out. It's nice being able to see the hard work you put in turn into a finished product. I also take this time to work, and hang with friends. True friends are something that you can't take for granted.
HH: What is the best/worst thing about living in D.C.?
SS: The best thing is being in the most powerful city in the world. There's so much going on at any given time. The worst part may be cab drivers. I hate the way they drive; they may be pretty bad in other cities too.
HH: What is your "breakfast of champions?"
SS: I don't really have a breakfast of champions. But I would say Frosted Flakes are great, and you can eat them at anytime of the day.
HH: If you could get front row tickets to any concert, now or in the past, which would it be?
SS: I don't really do the concert thing. But I would love to have ringside seats at a major boxing match.
HH: What is your favorite holiday?
SS: Christmas. It's not because of the gifts, because I'm pretty much past that point in life where I get a lot of gifts. It's more because of being with family and being able to relax.
HH: When did you first start playing football?
SS: I first started when I was seven-years-old for the Beltsville Adelphi (Md.) Boys and Girls Club.
HH: When did you know that you wanted to play football competitively in college?
SS: In high school. I finally realized how much I enjoyed it, and that it'd be pretty bad if I didn't take advantage of it at the next level.
HH: What was the best moment in your career so far?
SS: The best moment of my career would have to be beating Duquesne at home in a monsoon downpour. It was special to me because about eight of my high school teammates played with Duquesne, and it was great for us all to be playing Division I football on the same field at one time.
HH: What is a typical practice like?
SS: A typical practice starts off with special teams, then goes to individual drills, then goes to a team period amongst the defense. Then we go 7 on 7 against the offense, then a team period against the offense. Last, we condition.
HH: Who on the team do you rely on the most?
SS: I rely on my fellow seniors the most. We have all realized that out of a class of about 35 that came in, there are around 15 left. We've all faced bumps in the road, rough times, and frustration, but when we look at each other and realize that we've all stuck through it and continued to support each other in the main goal of winning, it helps you know that these guys will have you're back no matter what.
HH: What is your major?
SS: I am a double major in finance and in management. I plan to minor in English.
HH: What are your plans following graduation?
SS: I don't really see myself doing procurement when I graduate, like I did this summer. It doesn't seem like it's for me. But who knows, I may eventually like it. I want to eventually get into commercial real estate. I'm not sure whether or not I'll work for the federal government or the private sector.
