Indiana University Athletics
10 Questions With Kiki Wallace
11/9/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Nov. 9, 2006
Sophomore midfielder Kiki Wallace is a Bloomington native. His Indiana career has been limited by injuries, but he played earlier this year against IUPUI. Wallace sat down with IUHOOSIERS.com to answer a few questions about himself.
What do you like to do when you're not playing soccer?
I really enjoy coaching soccer. I coach for the Bloomington Cutters soccer club. I coach the under-15 boys. We want to beat (Indiana assistant coach) Phil Presser's under-16 team this season. I also like playing video games with my roommate, Doug Reisinger. We play FIFA Soccer.
What is your favorite sport besides soccer?
I really like hockey. I grew up playing hockey. It was probably my favorite sport growing up, but I realized in high school that my future was going to be in soccer. My favorite NHL team is the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
My dad. He's helped mold me into the player that I've become, and is a big reason why I got to be where I am today. He spent more time with me developing my skills with a soccer ball than anyone else. Before we had indoor facilities in Bloomington, I remember that he used to take me to the field house and the HPER building, and we'd go in gyms and kick a ball around and find games to play, sine there was nowhere else to play at the time.
How did you get the nickname Kiki?
My dad gave me a nickname, and I couldn't pronounce it. It came out `Kiki,' and it ended up sticking. So I sort of named myself.
The best thing about Indiana is:
The soccer. The tradition and being a part of this program. Getting to come out here and represent the IU program and wearing seven stars on your jersey. It's what I've been dreaming about doing since I was a kid. It's awesome.
What has been your greatest accomplishment?
Winning the national championship in 2004. Even though I was a redshirt, it was an unbelievable feeling. Going from PK's to winning the championship, I went from having the worst feeling in my stomach to having the best feeling.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
When I was about five years old and I had just moved to Bloomington, I went to meet (then-head coach) Jerry Yeagley at a book signing. He asked me if I played soccer, and I told him yes. He said that maybe someday I could come by and help us win a national championship. I'll never forget him saying that to me. That was the fuel to my fire.
What is your favorite soccer memory?
This might get me in trouble with the coaches, but my favorite soccer memory was when I was a sophomore in high school, and I was moving to Connecticut. The night before I moved, there was a going away party for me. Me and my best friend decided to ditch the party and go out and kick a ball one last time. We snuck onto the IU field and we kicked the ball around for about two hours. Before we left, I stole a patch of grass from the field and I took it with me to Connecticut. I put it in a jar and took care of it for two years with the goal of bringing it back here and putting it on our field when I came back. Three years later, I was able to put that grass back on the field. I don't think the coaches know about that yet.
The teammate I most admire is who, and why?
Julian Dieterle. He's had a tough decision that he's had to deal with this year, and I don't think anyone could have dealt with it better. He comes to practice every day and does his part to make this team better. A couple of times this year they've needed to call him into games when someone's gone down, and he's been ready and he's been big.
Name one thing that you wish you were better at?
I certainly wish I was a little more athletic. I think that's one thing that prevents me from playing more, although a healthy knee would be nice.
Players Mentioned
