Indiana University Athletics
10 Questions With Matt Burke
11/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 13, 2006
In the latest installment of 10 Questions, IUHOOSIERS.com takes time out to recognize a member of the team whose impact is not made on the playing field. Senior manager Matt Burke has been with the team for five years, and currently serves as head manager. Some of his jobs include keeping track of equipment, and assists with game and practice preparation.
What is your favorite thing about being a manager?
The relationships that I've developed with the players and coaches in my five years here.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
The biggest influence in my life has been my parents, because they've supported me through everything and to know that I have their support really makes me do anything that I put my mind to.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Going to the rodeo when I was a little kid in Washington. That was pretty fun, and exciting.
What is your favorite soccer memory?
Winning the national championship in 2004. That is the one where I ran onto the field and got passed by everyone when (Jay) Nolly stopped the PK. To hear 15,000 fans go dead silent was pretty unreal.
Name one thing that you wish you were better at?
I know Coach is going to want me to say keeping track of the soccer balls, because we've lost about six of them this year. Personally, I wish I was better at not procrastinating. My mom always gets on my case about that. I wait till the last minute.
My favorite thing about Bloomington is:
The variety of people and things to do. I don't know many other college towns in the country where there's so much diversity and so many different things going on at one time.
What will you miss most when you leave Indiana?
I will definitely miss the people and the friends that I've made since coming here. I've had a lot of time to cultivate friendships, and I think that I will definitely miss the best friends I have on the team.
How would you describe your time here?
Well spent. I think that I've really tried to make the most of my time, both with soccer and with school and social and stuff, and I think I've done a pretty good job with that.
What are your pre-game rituals or superstitions?
Other than setting up the field, I always wear the same pair of shoes until we lose, then when we lose I change that pair of shoes. I've gone through a bunch of different things, but that's the only one that's stuck.
Do you have a nickname that your teammates gave you? What is it and why?
A lot of the guys just call me Burke, or Burkeman.
