Q and A With Quarterback Dan Burkett and Wide Receiver Drew Sexton

By Chris Mitchell
Washington University
Sports Information Director

DAN BURKETT

What made you choose to come to Washington University? I wanted to play football at a college that was highly focused on academics and Washington University was the best place to give me that opportunity. I knew that here I could make the most out of my college experience. It doesn’t hurt that the community here is so welcoming and friendly too.

What does it mean to you to be a student-athlete at Washington University? It’s an honor. Representing the school as an athlete is an awesome feeling and something that I take great pride in. Playing a sport at WASHU isn’t easy, and takes a lot of focus and dedication to school and your sport. Luckily, I’m surrounded by a determined group of men who share this same feeling and it’s a privilege to be a part of this.

What kind of expectations do you have for the team during your senior season? This group will do absolutely anything to make sure that we’re successful this season. Hard work and dedication are already a given with these guys so the only expectation our team has is to win every game. Our schedule is loaded with quality teams so there’s going to be great battles every week. I’m excited to see how everything works out.

Are you more comfortable as a senior after having a full season as starting quarterback? Having a full season under my belt has helped a lot and I would say I am more comfortable heading into this season. I think experience plays a big role with success at any position, but my attitude towards the position or my role on the team hasn’t really changed. I know what to expect and I can really focus on getting this offense in sync and rolling early when training camp starts.

Looking back on your career, what is your favorite football memory at Washington University? Training camp every year is so much fun because everyone is working so hard during practices but in our free time everyone is laid back and some ridiculous stuff always happens. My single favorite football moment was taking the Founder’s Cup back from Chicago in such a dominating fashion last year. Offensively we were really able to spread the ball around and we got a bunch of seniors their first touchdowns and that was exciting to see. It was awesome to send the seniors out on such a high note.

What are your future plans upon graduation from Washington University? I want to go to medical school after I graduate. Ever since I was a kid I’ve wanted to be a neurosurgeon and that hasn’t changed just yet so hopefully that is the end result. I would really like to do some traveling too before all of that begins so we’ll see what happens.

DREW SEXTON

What made you choose to come to Washington University? Coach Kindbom had talked to me a lot during my high school career about the combination that WASHU offers to its athletes. And as a St. Louis native, I knew that WASHU would be a great fit for me. Washington University is a unique blend of excellent academics and athletics.

Talk about being selected as a team captain. What does that role mean to you? The most important thing it means to me is that I have earned the respect of my fellow teammates. It is a huge honor and certain expectations come with it. I think that Will, Chris and I can live up to the expectations and that we can lead our team to a successful season.

What kind of expectations do you have for the team during your senior season? We lost a lot of seniors, which is tough, but I think the guys we have returning are in crucial spots and hungry for success. I have high expectations this year and it starts with our first game. Things change during the season, but my goal for the team is a UAA title and a playoff berth.

What does it mean to you to be a student-athlete at Washington University? I think I speak for all the athletes here when I say that we are well-rounded individuals. Good athletes and scholars in high school, but we weren’t ready to settle on just one path. We aren’t given athletic scholarships, but are here because we love the game.

Looking back on your career, what is your favorite football memory at Washington University? My first year here was my sophomore year. I remember we were coming off a devastating loss against Wittenberg and then put together a six-week win streak that included wins over ranked teams and fourth-quarter comebacks. It was an exciting emotional ride led by a great group of seniors.

What are your future plans upon graduation from Washington University? After graduation I plan on going to medical school. I am going to take a gap year after and do some work in a lab at the Washington University Medical School and service work in South America.