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University of Minnesota Athletics
Football Player Profile: Offensive Guard Joe Quinn
10/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Coming to the University of Minnesota was a challenge for a small town kid like Quinn. He had to adjust to living in a big city and finding his way around the large campus, however he knew this was exactly where he belonged, and where he wanted to be. Not only did Quinn have to face the challenges of new surroundings, but he was also determined to walk on to the Golden Gopher football team.
"Whether you are a walk on or not, you have to wait for your chance and something has to happen in order to get noticed by the coaches," Quinn explained. "So that is what I did, and my opportunity came. I knew what I wanted and I was ready for it. Once I was noticed, I just kept working hard."
Quinn is the most experienced offensive lineman on the team. He lines up along side a group of hardworking guys that know what they have to do to win. Quinn says that in order for this team to succeed they have to run the ball and protect their quarterback and it all starts with the offensive line.
"A huge part of any team is the offensive line," Quinn stated. "We are lucky enough to have talented bunch of running backs, four very athletic guys. A lot of times, they make us offensive linemen look good."
Quinn considers the other guys on the offensive line his best friends. He believes a lot of their success is because of the great relationships they have developed as teammates and friends, and they get closer everyday. They go through everything together - they practice, attend meetings, study film and even hang out together.
"I think any time you are playing beside guys who are your good friends, it makes it more special," Quinn explained. "We all had that in high school, and we built those relationships in college as well. It means a lot. I can't say I know what each guy is going to do on every play, but I know I can count on each of them every game because they are going to give their all and never give up. I know them well enough to have built a trust and that makes me enjoy playing along side of them."
Quinn is in his final year as a Golden Gopher. He graduated last spring with a degree in political science and is currently finishing up some classes for his minor. He views himself as an experienced senior on this football team and hopes he can be a role model to the younger guys who are just trying to figure out how to make it as a Golden Gopher.
"I am a senior and I have been around here for awhile, so I carry a leadership role on this team as far as having experience," Quinn said. "This is my last year and I want to set an example, not just on the field by working hard, but off the field as well. I just want everyone to know how important it is to me to be a part of this football program."
Quinn's childhood dream worked out just as he had always hoped it would. As he plays in his last season, he believes that this team can do great things. He is looking forward to seeing how successful the Golden Gophers can be, even if it means his dream coming to an end.
"I am sad that it's all coming to an end," Quinn explained. "This has been a dream of mine since I was a little boy. It has lived up to my expectations, I have no regrets. This has been perfect place for me and a perfect fit. The university, the coaches, teammates and fans, I couldn't ask for anything better."
Now, instead of Quinn being the little boy in the stands with his father, cheering on the Gophers, there are other little boys at the game, cheering and dreaming of someday becoming a Golden Gopher. Quinn knows first hand that dreams do come true.
Written by Media Relations Student Assistant Jessica Fleischmann. She welcomes comments at gophers@umn.edu.
Growing up in a small town of 250 people, surrounded by farms near Glenwood City, Wis., Joe Quinn dreamed of being a Golden Gopher. He wanted to keep the family tradition alive and attend the University of Minnesota just as his grandfather, mother and father did. He remembers traveling to Minneapolis to cheer on the Golden Gopher football team as a little boy. Quinn's dedication and hard work has made his childhood dream become reality.
Coming to the University of Minnesota was a challenge for a small town kid like Quinn. He had to adjust to living in a big city and finding his way around the large campus, however he knew this was exactly where he belonged, and where he wanted to be. Not only did Quinn have to face the challenges of new surroundings, but he was also determined to walk on to the Golden Gopher football team.
"Whether you are a walk on or not, you have to wait for your chance and something has to happen in order to get noticed by the coaches," Quinn explained. "So that is what I did, and my opportunity came. I knew what I wanted and I was ready for it. Once I was noticed, I just kept working hard."
Quinn is the most experienced offensive lineman on the team. He lines up along side a group of hardworking guys that know what they have to do to win. Quinn says that in order for this team to succeed they have to run the ball and protect their quarterback and it all starts with the offensive line.
"A huge part of any team is the offensive line," Quinn stated. "We are lucky enough to have talented bunch of running backs, four very athletic guys. A lot of times, they make us offensive linemen look good."
Quinn considers the other guys on the offensive line his best friends. He believes a lot of their success is because of the great relationships they have developed as teammates and friends, and they get closer everyday. They go through everything together - they practice, attend meetings, study film and even hang out together.
"I think any time you are playing beside guys who are your good friends, it makes it more special," Quinn explained. "We all had that in high school, and we built those relationships in college as well. It means a lot. I can't say I know what each guy is going to do on every play, but I know I can count on each of them every game because they are going to give their all and never give up. I know them well enough to have built a trust and that makes me enjoy playing along side of them."
Quinn is in his final year as a Golden Gopher. He graduated last spring with a degree in political science and is currently finishing up some classes for his minor. He views himself as an experienced senior on this football team and hopes he can be a role model to the younger guys who are just trying to figure out how to make it as a Golden Gopher.
"I am a senior and I have been around here for awhile, so I carry a leadership role on this team as far as having experience," Quinn said. "This is my last year and I want to set an example, not just on the field by working hard, but off the field as well. I just want everyone to know how important it is to me to be a part of this football program."
Quinn's childhood dream worked out just as he had always hoped it would. As he plays in his last season, he believes that this team can do great things. He is looking forward to seeing how successful the Golden Gophers can be, even if it means his dream coming to an end.
"I am sad that it's all coming to an end," Quinn explained. "This has been a dream of mine since I was a little boy. It has lived up to my expectations, I have no regrets. This has been perfect place for me and a perfect fit. The university, the coaches, teammates and fans, I couldn't ask for anything better."
Now, instead of Quinn being the little boy in the stands with his father, cheering on the Gophers, there are other little boys at the game, cheering and dreaming of someday becoming a Golden Gopher. Quinn knows first hand that dreams do come true.
Written by Media Relations Student Assistant Jessica Fleischmann. She welcomes comments at gophers@umn.edu.
