University of Minnesota Athletics
Catching Up with Senior Defender Nicki Burnie
7/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
What have you been up to in the offseason?
It's been really busy. We train nearly three hours every day, which gets to be pretty long. I studied abroad last semester, so it's been nice to get back into training. I also work two jobs. I work at a soccer camp from nine to noon in the morning, and then I work another one from five to nine at night. By the end of the day, I'm "soccered" out.
You mentioned you studied abroad. What was that experience like?
"I went to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. It was really neat. I got to meet a lot of people that I would have never met before. It was nice to get away and be just a student for once. I did so many awesome things that I would have never been able to experience. It's nice to be back though."
Are you excited for the start of training camp in a couple of weeks?
"We've been training really hard this summer so we're all pretty anxious to get the season started. We've definitely reached the point where we just want to get going.
You were part of a big freshman class way back when. Now you welcome 14 rookies this fall. What kind of advice or support would you offer to help them deal with all of the issues that a freshman faces?
"I think as seniors we want to reassure them that they're not alone. We've gone through the same thing. I think when we came in, we didn't have the same type of support. We've talked as upperclassmen about giving the freshmen the things that they need: support, confidence, things like that."
There are no juniors on this team and you have 20 underclassmen. How important is that leadership going to be?
"I think this is the first year that we've felt like upperclassmen. Working with the freshmen, we realized....wow....it seems like forever since we were their age. Basically, all of us have really felt the need to step up. We've had some people leave throughout the years, so I think we, as seniors, have brought some stability. We've been through it all."
In your career, you've come here as a walk-on, had a coaching change, struggles on the field, but then last year, the team made remarkable strides. What are the expectations for this season?
"I think expectations are going to be high with all of the talent coming into the program. But, we want to set realistic goals because you never know what can happen. We were improved last year, but with so many injuries, it could have been so much better. Whatever gets thrown at us, we'll be fine."
What are your goals?
"I think are main goal is to make the Big Ten Tournament since my class has been here three years and never made it. I'm sure everyone has their own individual goals, but reaching postseason is the primary one.
What are your plans for the future?
"I'm actually going to school to be a middle school teacher. I'm going to stay active though. A few of us have talked about doing triathlons and things like that. With soccer training camp just a few weeks away, Gophersports.com recently sat down with senior defender Nicki Burnie to talk about the upcominig year, as well as reflect on her career. A native of Menomonee Falls, Wis., Burnie came to Minnesota as a walk-on, but has since developed into one of the team's top defenders, not to mention a team captain.
What have you been up to in the offseason?
It's been really busy. We train nearly three hours every day, which gets to be pretty long. I studied abroad last semester, so it's been nice to get back into training. I also work two jobs. I work at a soccer camp from nine to noon in the morning, and then I work another one from five to nine at night. By the end of the day, I'm "soccered" out.
You mentioned you studied abroad. What was that experience like?
"I went to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. It was really neat. I got to meet a lot of people that I would have never met before. It was nice to get away and be just a student for once. I did so many awesome things that I would have never been able to experience. It's nice to be back though."
Are you excited for the start of training camp in a couple of weeks?
"We've been training really hard this summer so we're all pretty anxious to get the season started. We've definitely reached the point where we just want to get going.
You were part of a big freshman class way back when. Now you welcome 14 rookies this fall. What kind of advice or support would you offer to help them deal with all of the issues that a freshman faces?
"I think as seniors we want to reassure them that they're not alone. We've gone through the same thing. I think when we came in, we didn't have the same type of support. We've talked as upperclassmen about giving the freshmen the things that they need: support, confidence, things like that."
There are no juniors on this team and you have 20 underclassmen. How important is that leadership going to be?
"I think this is the first year that we've felt like upperclassmen. Working with the freshmen, we realized....wow....it seems like forever since we were their age. Basically, all of us have really felt the need to step up. We've had some people leave throughout the years, so I think we, as seniors, have brought some stability. We've been through it all."
In your career, you've come here as a walk-on, had a coaching change, struggles on the field, but then last year, the team made remarkable strides. What are the expectations for this season?
"I think expectations are going to be high with all of the talent coming into the program. But, we want to set realistic goals because you never know what can happen. We were improved last year, but with so many injuries, it could have been so much better. Whatever gets thrown at us, we'll be fine."
What are your goals?
"I think are main goal is to make the Big Ten Tournament since my class has been here three years and never made it. I'm sure everyone has their own individual goals, but reaching postseason is the primary one.
What are your plans for the future?
"I'm actually going to school to be a middle school teacher. I'm going to stay active though. A few of us have talked about doing triathlons and things like that.
