Q&A With Brian Kopka
9/26/2000 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 26, 2000
By Cherise Rhyns Athletic Media Relations
GameDay: What is it about Brian Kopka that makes him different from everyone else?
Brian Kopka: I think I'm a little bit quieter than most people are. I'm a thinker. Most of the guys out here would tell you that I'm not the most outspoken person, I kind of keep to myself a lot.
GD: What experiences in your life have shaped the person that you have become?
BK: I think going away to college and leaving home - being far from home - and learning to adapt to a new state, new weather, new academics, new athletics. I think that really helped me mature into an individual and a little bit stronger person. I think it was a good experience.
GD: What are your post-Maryland aspirations?
BK: I guess after school I'd love to pursue an NFL career because I love football and have such a great time with it. But realistically I know that football is only a short-time thing, so I'd like to continue schooling because that's something else I enjoy.
GD: If you had 24 hours that you could spend doing whatever you wanted to do, what would it be?
BK: I'd rent a beachfront hotel on Fort Lauderdale Beach and relax and rest by the pool and eat only the finest food.
GD: You have been named a Maryland scholar-athlete in 1997, 1998 and 1999, as well as making the 1999 ACC Academic Honor Roll. What is your game plan for excelling academically as well as athletically?
BK: I've always found that I have so many things going on in my life that I need to sit down and structure my day. When my day is very structured it forces me to stay active and to stay on top of things.
GD: What do you do to yield top performances from game to game?
BK: My main thing is I always want to be focused and I always want to be mentally ready. I like to kick in practice like I'm kicking in the game, and in the game I like to kick like I'm in practice. I just always stay mentally focused, very mentally tuned.
GD: What goes through your mind when you know the game is riding on your next kick?
BK: Nothing. I try to think about nothing when I'm kicking. I just want to focus on the ball and focus on what I'm doing. Before I actually go in there and kick I like to just think about how good it's going to feel when I make the kick. I like to think about helping my team win the game or helping put some points on the board. When I'm out there I don't want to think at all.
GD: Do you feel pressure from the notoriety you have received as being a possible contender for the Lou Groza Award and a preseason All-ACC pick by various publications? BK: I think some people would interpret that as pressure. I never want to let myself feel pressure from that. I'm honored that people think that I'm capable of receiving that award. I think I am, also. Why take a great thing and interpret it as pressure?
