Indiana University Athletics
10 Questions With John Michael Hayden
9/3/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 3, 2006
Senior midfielder John Michael Hayden had a solid day for the Hoosiers against Notre Dame in the adidas/IU Credit Union Classic, hitting a penalty kick to send the game into overtime with 11 seconds remaining. He currently leads the team with three assists this year. Hayden 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?
The first place I would go would be Barcelona, Spain. They have the best soccer team in the world, and I'd like to experience the Spanish culture.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hopefully I will be playing professional soccer.
Since coming to Indiana, I've learned:
I've learned a lot of things about life in general. Life lessons. Being a soccer player, time management is one of the things that I have taken most out of being a student-athlete. You have to prepare yourself each and every day to get by.
What is your favorite sport besides soccer?
I really don't have a favorite sport, but I play a little golf. I just found a pair of clubs and I picked them up and started playing a little over the summer. I've been to the driving range some.
The best thing about Indiana is:
The soccer tradition. Being in the program for the five years that I've been here and seeing what it's all about. Going to school here has been great also.
Why do you wear number eight?
Back when I was younger I played club for Javanon, and that was my number. I've always stuck with number eight.
What is your favorite soccer memory?
My sophomore year (2004) against Maryland in the NCAA Semifinals, heading the game-winning goal with 40 seconds left in double-overtime, and taking us to the NCAA Championship in California.
Something that many people don't know about you is:
I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. I lived there for two or three years before I moved to Kentucky.
What are your pre-game rituals or superstitions?
The day before a game, I try not to use the computer at all. It just bothers my eyes. The night before, I have a big dinner, always potatoes, and either salmon or steak. The morning of the game, I have a huge breakfast, about five or six eggs. The team has a pregame meal, usually pasta and chicken.
What will you miss most when you leave Indiana?
I'll miss everything about it. I'd have to say the soccer, because that's why I'm here. I've thought about it, where I will I be at. I have friends in MLS right now, Jed Zayner in particular, and he talks about wishing he could be here for certain games. I know it's going to hit me next year when there's a game and I'm not playing.
