Q and A With Stephen Sherman & Sam Kentor

By Chris Mitchell
Sports Information Director
Washington University in St. Louis

STEPHEN SHERMAN

What made you choose to come to Washington University?

Stephen Sherman: When I was applying to colleges, I was looking for a top-notch academic experience and also a place where I could continue playing the sport I love. On paper, Washington University fit these criteria perfectly and immediately had me interested. It wasn’t until I visited that I came to understand how tight knit the team is and what a privilege it is to have the Washington University student-athlete experience. On my flight back home to Los Angeles, I made up my mind – Washington University was the right fit for me.

What does it mean to you to be a student-athlete at Washington University?

Stephen Sherman: I take tremendous pride in being a student-athlete at Washington University. The University is one of the most academically rigorous institutions in the country and our athletic programs are some of the best as well. While playing a sport is a huge time commitment, I know the skills I have learned from balancing academics and football will benefit me for the rest of my life. I enjoy the challenge of being at the top of my game both academically and athletically, and I know I will take this mentality into all my future endeavors.

At the end of this season, what would you like to be able to say about your team?

Stephen Sherman: I’m a very goal-oriented person so I would like nothing more than to say we rolled through conference play and won a UAA championship. I know we have the potential to be the best - our defense is extremely fast and physical and our offensive has the quick strike ability to put up large numbers on any defense we face.

What is your future plans upon graduation from Washington University?

Stephen Sherman: I am currently in the process of applying for jobs for after I graduate. I am interested in pursuing a career in the financial sector, specifically sales and trading.

You have played four positions in four years (LB, DB, RB, QB). How hard has the adjustment been?

Stephen Sherman: I’ve always considered myself an athlete rather than a specific positional player. If the coaches let me, I would relish the opportunity to do double duty and get some snaps in on defense if we were ever down a few guys. In high school, I played every play of the game at quarterback and middle linebacker. When I came into the program, I let the coaches know that I would play anywhere they wanted me to because I just wanted to get on the field as fast as I could. Having played both sides of the ball in high school, I didn’t have too much trouble adapting to different positions as the coaching staff tried to find a place for me to have an impact. My final transition to quarterback was actually the easiest for me because I worked extensively in high school on my form and fundamentals. Although I was a little rusty at first, it eventually all came back to me and I feel like I’ve picked up right where I left off

How have you handled playing quarterback the past two seasons – a position where there are so many responsibilities and that is always in the spotlight?

Stephen Sherman: I love playing quarterback and have never really had a problem with the pressure. I enjoy having control of the offense and want nothing more than my teammates to look to me when the game is on the line. Personally, after the first snap in a game, the crowd disappears and it’s almost like any other day in practice. I focus on taking care of my assignments, making the right reads and delivering a good ball.

I understand you spent last spring overseas in New Zealand. How was the experience and what did you learn?

Stephen Sherman: I had an amazing time in New Zealand this past spring. I studied economics for four months at the University of Auckland on the north island and also had a lot of time to travel and absorb as much as I could from the culture. I found my economics coursework particularly interesting. After three years of being taught economics from a US centered perspective, it was enlightening learning from professors who teach from the perspective of a much smaller country.

SAM KENTOR

What made you choose to come to Washington University?

Sam Kentor: I wanted a place with a four-year undergraduate business school and I wanted to play football. I visited and it was beautiful and I knew it was the place for me. Plus, Coach Kindbom told me the weather would be just like Austin and I was gullible enough to believe him.

What does it mean to you to be a student-athlete at Washington University?

Sam Kentor: It means you actually have to be a student. Unfortunately my professors don’t really care that we play football, much less that our school has a football team. But it’s fun and I wouldn’t have it any other way because I think it will set me up for the real world and meeting the demands of both my family and career.

Growing up in Austin, Texas...were you a Longhorn fan growing up?

Sam Kentor: Absolutely, have you seen my hair? But seriously, I grew up going to all of the games. In fact, when I was little my baby sitter was dating the starting center and he would come over and hang out with me and bring other guys from the team. I thought they were so cool and I wanted to be just like them. I didn’t quite get there, but at least I tried.

At the end of this season, what would you like to be able to say about your team?

Sam Kentor: I’d like to be able to say we have zero regrets from the season. I’d also like and I expect us to win the conference and hopefully make the playoffs.

What is your future plans upon graduation from Washington University?

Sam Kentor: Unfortunately I have to enter the real world and get a job. I’ll know within the next couple weeks but I will either be joining a management consulting firm or returning to Austin to work in the finance department for Dell Computers.

Tell me about the T-shirt company on campus that you and your teammates started.

Sam Kentor: J.J. Gotlieb and I, along with two other owners, actually purchased the company from other football players our freshman year. We’ve now passed it on to John Meikel and Jon Howard, and they seem to be doing an incredible job. It was a great opportunity to have a laboratory to explore concepts learned in class and apply them to real life business scenarios.

I understand you hold some all-time football strength records at Washington University. Is working out a hobby of yours, or something that you see is necessary to play fullback?

Sam Kentor: Absolutely, not a hobby. My freshman and sophomore years of high school I was the little guy and got pushed around quite a bit on the field. It wasn’t very much fun, so I decided I’d rather be the windshield than the bug. My mom told me once that nobody ever regretted being over-prepared and I’ve tried to ensure that I’m stronger than the guy on the other side of the ball. It’s been fun, but I’m looking forward to the time where I’ll be able to just exercise for good health and lose some pounds.