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University of Minnesota Athletics
Senior Salute; The 2002 Senior Class Reflects
11/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Q: You are in the first class to ever play in three bowl games, what does that mean to you?
Jake Kuppe: It's a big deal. I came to Minnesota to be a part of a team like this. It feels good to be a part of something special.
Dan Nystrom: It's an awesome feeling. One of the first things I thought of when I decided to come to Minnesota was that I wanted to be a part of a program that would win. One thing I wanted to do was to go to a bowl game and to have three is just awesome. It's more than I hoped for.
Preston Gruening: I consider myself very lucky. I think the timing of me coming to Minnesota worked out perfectly. I came here right when the program was starting to turn around. It's just a great experience, especially considering that a lot of people haven't had that opportunity.
Morgan Kirkland: It's a great experience. I would not expect anything less from this team and this class. We can all hope for better. We will never be content with just three, especially since we all strived for the big bowl, the Rose Bowl.
Jermaine Mays: The more bowl games for the school, the better. It's really an honor to have that chance.
Renato Fitzpatrick: I wish I could have four. It's a great experience. That is what college football is all about, going to a bowl game. Everybody should be able to experience a bowl game, it's a great experience.
Scooter Baugus: It should be five bowl games, not three. It's a little disappointing that it's only three.
Ryan Domin: It feels really special. Too bad it's not five.
Jeremiah Carter: It's really something to be proud of. I'm lucky I came here when I did. To be a part of such a huge turn around makes me real proud.
Michael Lehan: I think it's a real privilege. I never knew what to expect when I decided to come here. But, I'm all the more glad I came here.
Antoine Burns: It means a lot. It shows that the team is doing well and it's really exciting to be playing in another one. It also makes you feel good about yourself and shows that you're doing what you're supposed to be doing.
Q: What is your all time favorite game as a Golden Gopher?
JK: Penn State in 1999. That game put the Minnesota program back on the board. It was a break through game for us. It was also my first start so it was special in that sense too.
DN: My top two games would be Penn State in 1999 for obvious reasons. I don't think I have to explain that one - it was surreal. And, Ohio State in 2000 would be No. 2.
PG: Probably the Wisconsin game in 2001. We had a lot of ups and downs last year but we were still able to get the axe back from Wisconsin in that last game. It would also be because I have a lot of negative feelings towards Wisconsin, having grown up there and it was great to come away with a win.
Zack Kartak: I think last year's Wisconsin game was probably my favorite game ever. It was one of the most fun games, especially since we got the axe back.
JM: The Iowa game in 2000. It was special because I caught the winning touchdown that sent us to the Bowl game that year.
RF: It's a tossup between Penn State in 1999 and Ohio State in 2000. Actually I would have to say Ohio State. No, it's a toss up.
JC: Penn State in 1999. It was a huge game. I'm from Pennsylvania, so going back there and winning was huge. Besides that, they were No. 2 in the nation when we beat them.
Q: What do you see yourself doing in five years?
JK: In five years I either hope to still be playing football or I hope to be teaching somewhere. I'd like to teach fifth or sixth grade because younger than that would just be too hard and older would just be too much to handle. But if I'm not playing, then I'd like to be teaching.
MK: I'd like to be working in advertising or public relations. I'd really like to be doing something in the sports world. I'm a communications major, so I think the door is open for me, but definitely advertising or public relations.
ZK: I'd like to be working as a civil engineer anywhere really. If I could be somewhere out west, that would be real nice. I think I've been in Minnesota for so long that a change would be nice.
JM: I'd like to either be playing in the NFL, working with kids in the community or coaching football somewhere.
SB: I hope to be owning and operating Subways. I want to be an entrepreneur. I also would like to try coaching someday.
JC: I'll probably still be in school studying history. I want to be a teacher, so I'll have to study for at least four or five more years in order to be able to do so.
ML: I want to own a youth center and work with the community. Ideally it would be a YMCA type of place where kids between 10 and 18 years old can go after school. There would be tutoring and intramural sports that can deter them from the dangers they might encounter on the street.
AB: I'd like to be working with kids in the community. I just love being around kids and watching them grow. I'll probably be working in a rec center. Coming from the area I did, I would just love to be able to help the kids out in some way, whatever it might be.
Q: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear "Maroon and Gold?"
JK: I think of Goldy Gopher. Goldy just embodies everything that is Minnesota spirit. I also think of the Rouser because that is the first thing they teach you when you come here.
PG: I think of my teammates and all the friendships. When all is said and done that is what I'm going to miss the most, the friendships I formed and my teammates.
MK: Team camaraderie. There are so many instances or aspects of team camaraderie that you can't even write down. So much happens behind the scenes that people don't understand and that makes you appreciate the team camaraderie so much.
ZK: I think of the team running out of the tunnel at the dome. When I first came here, I always looked forward to doing that. It's just a real cool feeling.
JM: I think of pride. When you are a part of the Maroon and Gold, all you feel is pride. You are just proud to wear the colors.
RD: Tradition. There is tradition in everything about football, hockey, all the sports. Many people don't realize we have six national championships in football. Hopefully, it will be seven.
JC: Playing hard. When you wear those colors, there's nothing else you can do but play hard.
ML: I think of the fight song. It is what school spirit is all about. You always sing it and you can just never forget it.
AB: I just think of all the people here at the University. I think of my teammates, professors, academic counselors, advisors, and all the people I've met and become friends with over the years.
Q: How do you want to be remembered?
JK: I want to be remembered as someone who helped turn around the program. I want to know that I was respected by my teammates and that I worked hard all the time.
DN: I want to be remembered as more than a kicker. I was a position player in high school so I take a lot of pride in not being the typical specialties player. I just want people to remember me as a good guy that liked to have fun and was easygoing.
PG: For the most part, I want to be remembered as a happy specialist just trying to be a part of a team. I think I meshed well and part of that was simply the fact that I was a friend who people felt they could talk to.
ZK: I want to be known as someone who worked hard. Maybe I didn't have the greatest abilities, but I gave everything I had.
JM: As a fighter and someone who never gave up. I was always willing and ready to prove them wrong.
SB: I'm Scooter. That's enough.
RD: I want to be remembered as a hard worker who came everyday to have fun. That is the most important thing, to have fun. If you don't have fun, it's not worth being out there.
ML: I'd be happy being remembered as a good guy that was respected by his teammates and gave good effort whenever he stepped on the field.
AB: I want to be remembered as someone who went out there every day and worked hard and who lightened people's days. I want to be known as someone who contributed to the successes and goals of the team.
Q: What is your most embarrassing or funniest moment as a Gopher?
JK: Probably the game against Iowa two years ago. I jumped off sides five times in that game. It was pretty embarrassing, but we still won and ended up going to a bowl game that year.
DN: In one of my first practices, when we still had regular turf, I got my foot caught in the turf and ended up kicking the ball right into one of the linemen's back. That is probably the most embarrassing and funniest moment as a Gopher.
PG: The funniest would probably be when Nystrom kicked the ball into one of the linemen during practice one day. When I think of funny stories, I'll always think of that.
JM: The coaches always tease me about the yellow tights I wear during practice. They call me Tinkerbell. It's just something I have always done.
JC: Everything from my redshirt freshman year. It seemed like I just couldn't do anything right that year. Coaches were always yelling at me or I was falling on my face. I'm surprised I made it all the way.
ML: My freshman year I brought cleats from home because I didn't think they provided them for us. My roommate just laughed at me and told me I didn't need them. I felt pretty stupid. It was definitely embarrassing.
Interviews by Tarcy Thompson
With their last home game this afternoon, the 12 graduating Golden Gopher seniors answer a few questions, reflecting on their college football careers.
Q: You are in the first class to ever play in three bowl games, what does that mean to you?
Jake Kuppe: It's a big deal. I came to Minnesota to be a part of a team like this. It feels good to be a part of something special.
Dan Nystrom: It's an awesome feeling. One of the first things I thought of when I decided to come to Minnesota was that I wanted to be a part of a program that would win. One thing I wanted to do was to go to a bowl game and to have three is just awesome. It's more than I hoped for.
Preston Gruening: I consider myself very lucky. I think the timing of me coming to Minnesota worked out perfectly. I came here right when the program was starting to turn around. It's just a great experience, especially considering that a lot of people haven't had that opportunity.
Morgan Kirkland: It's a great experience. I would not expect anything less from this team and this class. We can all hope for better. We will never be content with just three, especially since we all strived for the big bowl, the Rose Bowl.
Jermaine Mays: The more bowl games for the school, the better. It's really an honor to have that chance.
Renato Fitzpatrick: I wish I could have four. It's a great experience. That is what college football is all about, going to a bowl game. Everybody should be able to experience a bowl game, it's a great experience.
Scooter Baugus: It should be five bowl games, not three. It's a little disappointing that it's only three.
Ryan Domin: It feels really special. Too bad it's not five.
Jeremiah Carter: It's really something to be proud of. I'm lucky I came here when I did. To be a part of such a huge turn around makes me real proud.
Michael Lehan: I think it's a real privilege. I never knew what to expect when I decided to come here. But, I'm all the more glad I came here.
Antoine Burns: It means a lot. It shows that the team is doing well and it's really exciting to be playing in another one. It also makes you feel good about yourself and shows that you're doing what you're supposed to be doing.
Q: What is your all time favorite game as a Golden Gopher?
JK: Penn State in 1999. That game put the Minnesota program back on the board. It was a break through game for us. It was also my first start so it was special in that sense too.
DN: My top two games would be Penn State in 1999 for obvious reasons. I don't think I have to explain that one - it was surreal. And, Ohio State in 2000 would be No. 2.
PG: Probably the Wisconsin game in 2001. We had a lot of ups and downs last year but we were still able to get the axe back from Wisconsin in that last game. It would also be because I have a lot of negative feelings towards Wisconsin, having grown up there and it was great to come away with a win.
Zack Kartak: I think last year's Wisconsin game was probably my favorite game ever. It was one of the most fun games, especially since we got the axe back.
JM: The Iowa game in 2000. It was special because I caught the winning touchdown that sent us to the Bowl game that year.
RF: It's a tossup between Penn State in 1999 and Ohio State in 2000. Actually I would have to say Ohio State. No, it's a toss up.
JC: Penn State in 1999. It was a huge game. I'm from Pennsylvania, so going back there and winning was huge. Besides that, they were No. 2 in the nation when we beat them.
Q: What do you see yourself doing in five years?
JK: In five years I either hope to still be playing football or I hope to be teaching somewhere. I'd like to teach fifth or sixth grade because younger than that would just be too hard and older would just be too much to handle. But if I'm not playing, then I'd like to be teaching.
MK: I'd like to be working in advertising or public relations. I'd really like to be doing something in the sports world. I'm a communications major, so I think the door is open for me, but definitely advertising or public relations.
ZK: I'd like to be working as a civil engineer anywhere really. If I could be somewhere out west, that would be real nice. I think I've been in Minnesota for so long that a change would be nice.
JM: I'd like to either be playing in the NFL, working with kids in the community or coaching football somewhere.
SB: I hope to be owning and operating Subways. I want to be an entrepreneur. I also would like to try coaching someday.
JC: I'll probably still be in school studying history. I want to be a teacher, so I'll have to study for at least four or five more years in order to be able to do so.
ML: I want to own a youth center and work with the community. Ideally it would be a YMCA type of place where kids between 10 and 18 years old can go after school. There would be tutoring and intramural sports that can deter them from the dangers they might encounter on the street.
AB: I'd like to be working with kids in the community. I just love being around kids and watching them grow. I'll probably be working in a rec center. Coming from the area I did, I would just love to be able to help the kids out in some way, whatever it might be.
Q: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear "Maroon and Gold?"
JK: I think of Goldy Gopher. Goldy just embodies everything that is Minnesota spirit. I also think of the Rouser because that is the first thing they teach you when you come here.
PG: I think of my teammates and all the friendships. When all is said and done that is what I'm going to miss the most, the friendships I formed and my teammates.
MK: Team camaraderie. There are so many instances or aspects of team camaraderie that you can't even write down. So much happens behind the scenes that people don't understand and that makes you appreciate the team camaraderie so much.
ZK: I think of the team running out of the tunnel at the dome. When I first came here, I always looked forward to doing that. It's just a real cool feeling.
JM: I think of pride. When you are a part of the Maroon and Gold, all you feel is pride. You are just proud to wear the colors.
RD: Tradition. There is tradition in everything about football, hockey, all the sports. Many people don't realize we have six national championships in football. Hopefully, it will be seven.
JC: Playing hard. When you wear those colors, there's nothing else you can do but play hard.
ML: I think of the fight song. It is what school spirit is all about. You always sing it and you can just never forget it.
AB: I just think of all the people here at the University. I think of my teammates, professors, academic counselors, advisors, and all the people I've met and become friends with over the years.
Q: How do you want to be remembered?
JK: I want to be remembered as someone who helped turn around the program. I want to know that I was respected by my teammates and that I worked hard all the time.
DN: I want to be remembered as more than a kicker. I was a position player in high school so I take a lot of pride in not being the typical specialties player. I just want people to remember me as a good guy that liked to have fun and was easygoing.
PG: For the most part, I want to be remembered as a happy specialist just trying to be a part of a team. I think I meshed well and part of that was simply the fact that I was a friend who people felt they could talk to.
ZK: I want to be known as someone who worked hard. Maybe I didn't have the greatest abilities, but I gave everything I had.
JM: As a fighter and someone who never gave up. I was always willing and ready to prove them wrong.
SB: I'm Scooter. That's enough.
RD: I want to be remembered as a hard worker who came everyday to have fun. That is the most important thing, to have fun. If you don't have fun, it's not worth being out there.
ML: I'd be happy being remembered as a good guy that was respected by his teammates and gave good effort whenever he stepped on the field.
AB: I want to be remembered as someone who went out there every day and worked hard and who lightened people's days. I want to be known as someone who contributed to the successes and goals of the team.
Q: What is your most embarrassing or funniest moment as a Gopher?
JK: Probably the game against Iowa two years ago. I jumped off sides five times in that game. It was pretty embarrassing, but we still won and ended up going to a bowl game that year.
DN: In one of my first practices, when we still had regular turf, I got my foot caught in the turf and ended up kicking the ball right into one of the linemen's back. That is probably the most embarrassing and funniest moment as a Gopher.
PG: The funniest would probably be when Nystrom kicked the ball into one of the linemen during practice one day. When I think of funny stories, I'll always think of that.
JM: The coaches always tease me about the yellow tights I wear during practice. They call me Tinkerbell. It's just something I have always done.
JC: Everything from my redshirt freshman year. It seemed like I just couldn't do anything right that year. Coaches were always yelling at me or I was falling on my face. I'm surprised I made it all the way.
ML: My freshman year I brought cleats from home because I didn't think they provided them for us. My roommate just laughed at me and told me I didn't need them. I felt pretty stupid. It was definitely embarrassing.
Interviews by Tarcy Thompson
