Q and A With Nick Hillard and Kyle Larkin
By Chris Mitchell
Sports Information Director
Washington University in St. Louis
SENIOR LINEBACKER NICK HILLARD
At the end of this season, what would you like to be able to say about your team?
NH : At the end of the season I would love to look back and say this was the best team I have been apart of at Washington University not just in terms of wins and playoffs, but also as a single unit. I want to look back and smile, maybe even chuckle!
Looking back on your career, what is your favorite football memory at Washington University?
NH: My favorite memories in football come from watching the game films on Sunday. We always put the funny or crazy plays in slow motion, and I really enjoy laughing it up with the other guys. Especially if someone was tripped by a turf monster, or even just an overexcited celebration on the sideline, no matter what it gets me every time.
You led the team in tackles last year. What has been the key for you to be able to get to the ball so consistently?
NH: For me personally it is just about constantly moving. I always try to make a decision and go with it. I think that allows me to fill in behind the D-line and be effective as a tackler.
What does it mean to you to be a student-athlete at Washington University?
NH: Student-athletes are a group I consider to be special. Washington University is challenging enough as it is and I have tremendous respect for the students who can excel in both aspects.
What made you choose to come to Washington University?
NH: There was a combination of reasons, but I think the thing I noticed the most and made me want to become part of the community was the people already here. Students, faculty, and even parents on campus were all extremely nice and small things, such as everyone holds the door for the person behind them. I thought it was a great place and it has only improved since I started freshman year.
What are your future plans upon graduation from Washington University?
NH: After graduation, I am not positive where I’ll be headed. I have a few options either in engineering or finance and I’m not exactly sure what I want to do. While I was overseas in London I worked as an intern in corporate real estate consulting and I had a great experience being involved in engineering and also the business side of property. So going forward, I am going to be looking for a job and examining all opportunities, basically just diving in head first and exploring the world.
SENIOR LINEBACKER KYLE LARKIN
What are your goals for this season? How do you hope to accomplish those goals?
KL: I really only have one goal and that is to make the playoffs. Every other goal, both team and individual, are stepping-stones to playing an 11th game. It’s something that’s only been done at Wash U once before and it was over 10 years ago. It’s time to do it again. We have more goals once we get that far, but we are going to take it one step at a time. Also, it forces us to treat every game the same and focus only on the game right in front of us.
What has been your most memorable moment on the gridiron thus far and why does this moment stick out to you?
KL: With how long I’ve been playing it’s tough to pick out one specific moment to pick as my “most memorable.” The whole 13-year experience has been unbelievable and has really shaped me as a person. In terms of a specific time period that I remember most, it might have to be last year’s six-game winning streak. I don’t know if I’ve been on a team that was working as well together as we were during that streak. It gave us a taste of how good Wash U football can be.
What kind of expectations do you have for the team during your senior season?
KL: I expect everyone on the team to work as hard as they can and to be the best they can be. That’s all anyone can ask for. Everything else will develop from there. Everyone needs to be focused on the achievement of our goals. If we can do that, then we will be successful. We have the athletes and the intellect to go as far as we enable ourselves to. To be the best we have to beat the best and there are plenty of great teams on our schedule. I’m excited.
Talk about being selected as a team captain. What does that role mean to you?
KL: I’m honored. There have been so many great players at Wash U to hold such a title and I’m humbled to be mentioned alongside them as well as the great players that Jake and Austin are. However, make no mistake that this is a team of full leaders. We don’t rely on just the captains or even the seniors to lead our team. Everyone contributes and I expect it to be the same this year.
What made you choose to come to Washington University?
KL: Going into the college search I really only knew one thing and that was that I wanted to go to a great school and play football. I looked all over the place. I probably sent my tape to 25 schools. Wash U gave me a lot of interest from the start. I’m a Midwest guy and always have been and Wash U made me feel comfortable. I also liked the other opportunities that Wash U had to offer, like an undergraduate business school and Greek Life. I’ve had the opportunity to play football for four years at one of the best Universities in America. What more can I really ask for? It’s been a privilege. I thank my parents for helping me get here.
What are your future plans upon graduation from Washington University?
KL: I started to get more into business and marketing as college progressed. I’m looking forward to trying to get into the sports marketing industry, whether it’s with a professional sports team, a sports marketing agency or a related department of a company. I’m also really interested in consumer product companies like Anheuser Busch. Really I’m just looking for something that I can enjoy for a long time. That’s what it’s about. I’ll see where life takes me.
Summer Work
This summer Kyle worked as a Marketing Intern for Marcone Supply and was the Campus Ambassador for Anheuser-Busch InBev. He also just finished up being President of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.