Indiana University Athletics
10 Questions With George Tembon
12/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Dec. 4, 2006
Sophomore George Tembon is in his first year with the soccer team after participating with the track team as a freshman. He sat down with IUHOOSIERS.com to answer a few questions about himself.
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would really like to visit and hopefully end up living in Spain because I grew up knowing a lot of people from Spain and Gibralter. The weather is always nice, it is in Europe, and their football (soccer) is just as good as in England.
Since coming to Indiana, I've learned:
To become an even more complete and culturally aware person. I have met so many different types of people from so many different cultures, and I can take things from their cultures to make me an even more interesting person than I already am.
You are originally from London, England. Describe the soccer atmosphere overseas.
Football (soccer) is pretty much life to most people in England. It is very competitive, fun and passionate. If you put together the intensity of basketball, baseball and American football here, you will get the same atmosphere of soccer there. It's everywhere: schools, streets, homes, roads, parks, etc.
What is your favorite sport besides soccer?
I once was a tennis protégé but golf has interested me recently. I actually miss rounders (a game that has similarities to baseball), which is a game we played in primary school.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
Mum and Dad and close family have always given me the confidence and backing to do whatever I wanted to do. Soccer has influenced me to work hard to achieve success.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Sneaking out to this pitch when we were not allowed (I was too young to go that far from the neighborhood) to go and play with the older players.
The teammate I most admire is who, and why?
Julian Dieterle. He is a top guy, he plays with intensity and brings it everyday regardless of the situation. I respect the man very much.
What do you like best about Coach Freitag?
He is a funny guy. He knows a lot more about soccer than some people would think. Think about it, he has already been exposed to a lifetime worth of soccer, which includes the highest level in American soccer. Top Guy.
Do you have a nickname that your teammates gave you? What is it and why?
Stevie, because Steven Gerrard is my favorite player and I try and bring it everyday just like him. He plays for Liverpool, the best team in the world.
What makes Indiana different than any other program?
It is pretty much required for you to bring it everyday because there is always someone snapping at your heels to take your position. It's a normal thing to win, so losing is never expected or even considered.
