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University of Minnesota Athletics
Future Gopher Q&A: Moses Alipate
5/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Throughout the winter and spring, GopherSports.com has been bringing you interviews with future Gophers who signed letters of intent earlier this year. Next up is quarterback Moses Alipate. GopherSports.com caught up with the local star out of Bloomington Jefferson High to get his thoughts on TCF Bank Stadium, staying home to play his college ball and his ability to do the Haka. Alipate spoke to GopherSports.com earlier this week. Here’s a transcript of that interview:
GopherSports.com: Now that we’re heading into the summer and you’ve had some time to reflect, has it all sunk in that you’re officially a Golden Gopher?
Moses Alipate: Yes and no. I come up to the U and hang out with a lot of the guys and it is starting to sink in that I am going to be playing with these guys. It has kind of sunk in, but the answer would probably be yes and no.
GopherSports.com: Talk about the recruiting process and what made you decide to come to Minnesota?
Moses Alipate: Coach Brewster sold me on the U along with my Godfather, Coach Lee, the Co-Defensive Coordinator. I am a family guy and the University is close to my family. The new stadium was also a big part of it. There are so many things I could say that attracted me to the U of M.
GopherSports.com: How important is it to you to have a strong support system in Minnesota?
Moses Alipate: I have a big support system. It has been starting to happen that wherever I go, people come up to me and they want a picture or want to say congratulations or want an autograph. It has been pretty flattering, but at the same time it is just nice to know that you have people supporting you.
GopherSports.com: Is there anyone you like to emulate or pattern your game after?
Moses Alipate: I look up to Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger. The command that they show on the field is pretty cool. My best friend Matt Barkley is another guy I look up to. He is a quarterback at USC. Matt is one of the coolest people I know. He is a strong Christian and a strong leader. I take little things from him here and there.
GopherSports.com: What advice has your dad given you?
Moses Alipate: To find a school that you are going to be happy even if you don’t play a sport there. I know that wherever I wanted to go, he supports me 100 percent.
GopherSports.com: What are your thoughts on TCF Bank Stadium?
Moses Alipate: I am really excited. It is an amazing stadium. Words can’t really describe the feeling that a lot of us get when we see the stadium and to know that we are going to be the first people to step out on the field.
GopherSports.com: Do you realize you’ll be part of the first class to play your entire Minnesota career at the new stadium?
Moses Alipate: It is going to be pretty special even after college is done just to come back here and know that you had a piece of history. That you are going to be one of the first people to step foot and play your entire career at a brand new stadium and to be the first team hopefully to come back to that stadium with a National Championship.
GopherSports.com: Talk about your basketball season this year and some memories?
Moses Alipate: I got to play with my brother Marcus. I think we were 22-6 this season, we went to the State Tournament, won our conference and our section. Just knowing the guys on the team and moving to Minnesota from New York, it was really special that I got to share those special moments with my teammates.
GopherSports.com: When did you decide you wanted to focus on football and play Division I?
Moses Alipate: Probably my junior year, when I got selected for the Junior All-American Camp. I played first team. A lot of my friends were in the camp, so that kind of made me start focusing on what I love to do.
GopherSports.com: What are your goals for your first season with the Gophers?
Moses Alipate: I just want to come in, compete, and let everything hang out where it does. I want to win, no matter who is playing, I just want to win.
GopherSports.com: What are your long-term goals for your college career?
Moses Alipate: First off, I want to graduate. Then I want to win a Big Ten Championship and a National Championship. I want to beat USC both times we play them.
GopherSports.com: What have you been up to since Signing Day?
Moses Alipate: I have been coming up to the U a lot and sitting in on the meetings, studying the playbook and working out. As far as school goes, I have already graduated high school. I am just taking a gym class, so I can get my diploma. I am also just getting ready for the summer.
GopherSports.com: What’s your favorite thing to do if you have a day to yourself to do anything you want?
Moses Alipate: Work out and have a big party, a luau.
GopherSports.com: What music are you listening to most right now?
Moses Alipate: Everything but country. I have a little bit of classical music and I actually don’t have any rock. I like R&B, reggae, rap, hip-hop. Anything but rock and country.
GopherSports.com: Seen a good movie lately? Favorite movie or movies ever?
Moses Alipate: I really like “Finding Nemo” and “Gladiator.”
GopherSports.com: Favorite type of food?
Moses Alipate: Chicken.
GopherSports.com: If you had to choose your favorite meal, what would it be?
Moses Alipate: Mashed potatoes, fried chicken and hot sauce, collard greens and some brown rice.
GopherSports.com: What’s can’t miss TV for you?
Moses Alipate: Friends.
GopherSports.com: Do you have any hidden talents that maybe not many people know about?
Moses Alipate: I can do the Haka, it is the Hawaiian War Dance. Me, Ned Tavale and Logan U’u are all Polynesian and we know how to do it.
GopherSports.com: What are you looking forward to most this summer?
Moses Alipate: I like that everything is going to be different, a change. I am looking forward to just the excitement of the football season, summer and our games on campus. The reason why we are training, running, lifting is that all you have to do is look out your window and see TCF Bank Stadium.
GopherSports.com: Is there anything you’d like to say to Gopher fans who will be reading this?
Moses Alipate: Don’t be afraid to come up and say hi to us. A lot of people kind of stay off and don’t say anything. But we are normal people and I love talking to anyone. If fans see me or any of the guys just come up and say hi to us.
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