Oct. 20, 2006

#18 Chinedum Ndukwe
Senior, 6-2, 218
Safety
Powell, Ohio/Dublin Coffman

Senior safety Chinedum Ndukwe is a three-year monogram winner at Notre Dame and has played both wide receiver and defensive back during his career. Recruited as a wide receiver, Ndukwe saw action in 11 games as a freshman, making three catches and seeing duty on special teams. As a sophomore, he was moved to defensive back and has played there since. He came into his own in 2005, starting all 12 games and had 31 solo tackles and 21 assists for 52 stops on the season. Ndukwe created seven Irish turnovers on the year, including four fumble recoveries, two interceptions and one forced fumble. He came to Notre Dame from the same high school as quarterback Brady Quinn and set Dublin Coffman High School records for career receiving yards (2,174), career receptions (150) , yards in a season (838), catches in a season (59), yards receiving in a game (212) and receptions in a game (12). GameDay’s Laura Hansen gives Irish fans a chance to get to know Chinedum Ndukwe.

Hansen: What is your major and why are you interested in that?
Ndukwe: I have two majors, consulting management and psychology. I’ve always wanted to major in both subjects since the first day of school. I am a management major because I eventually want to own my own business someday, and I thought psychology would help me connect with my employees and really understand why people do certain things.

Hansen: What is your favorite class and why?
Ndukwe: My favorite class is Organizational Consulting, a class I am taking this year, taught by Viva Bartkus. She puts us in real situations where we have to examine what is going on and use consulting skills. I really enjoy the class and Professor Bartkus is a great teacher.

Hansen: Do you have any nicknames? What are they?
Ndukwe: Brady (Quinn) calls me “Daddy” at home because I run the house and he knows who the boss is.

Hansen: What has been the most embarrassing moment in your athletic career?
Ndukwe: My most embarrassing moment came on my first catch at Notre Dame because it was for a negative three yards against Purdue my freshman year.

Hansen: What other schools did you consider before coming to Notre Dame, and what made you choose Notre Dame?
Ndukwe: I was considering Penn State, Ohio State, Maryland, and Stanford-all solid schools. But in the end, I chose Notre Dame because I could play at the highest level of football possible while getting the best education. That’s what attracted me to the University.

Hansen: What has been the highlight of your Notre Dame career to date?
Ndukwe: The highlight for me is being able to go out and play football every weekend. Really, I don’t feel like I have a specific highlight because I’m always trying to make new ones. Just having the opportunity to play with these guys has definitely been a highlight.

Hansen: Who has been your biggest non-sports role model and why?
Ndukwe: My parents have been strong influences in my life. I have learned many things from them, which has molded me into the person I am today.

Hansen: What is one thing in your life that you cannot live without?
Ndukwe: I can’t live without a hot shower.

Hansen: Where is the toughest stadium that you’ve played as a college football player?
Ndukwe: Neyland Stadium at Tennessee is the toughest place because it is loud there.

Hansen: Who is the best athlete that you have ever competed against?
Ndukwe: Reggie Bush.

Hansen: What song best describes your personality?
Ndukwe: “Lean wit it, rock wit it,” by Dem Franchize Boyz.

Hansen: What is your favorite place on campus?
Ndukwe: LaFortunte because of the milkshakes.

Hansen: NDH or SDH? Why?
Ndukwe: Definitely SDH because of the variety.

Hansen: If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go and why?
Ndukwe: I would like to go to Nigeria because most of my family lives there and I haven’t been back there in a long time.

Hansen: If you could participate in the Olympics, which sport would you play (since football is not an Olympic sport)?
Ndukwe: Ping Pong because I have fun playing it.

Hansen: If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
Ndukwe: To be invisible and be in places I shouldn’t be.

Hansen: What was your favorite TV show growing up as a kid? And nowadays?
Ndukwe: As a kid it was “The Simpsons” and now it’s “Lost.”

Hansen: If you were stranded on an island and could only eat one meal, only listen to one song, and spend you time with only one person; what would you eat, what would you listen to and who would you pick?
Ndukwe: I would eat Chipotle, be with Halle Berry, and would listen to anything by P. Diddy.

Hansen: If you had a chance to play golf with anyone in history, who would be in your foursome, in addition to yourself, and why?
Ndukwe: Gandhi, Dave Chappelle, and Bill Clinton because I think it would be a great time with those guys.

Hansen: Describe what it feels like on game day and playing in Notre Dame Stadium.
Ndukwe: Playing at Notre Dame Stadium and coming out of the tunnel is the biggest high you can possibly have.

Hansen: What is your favorite thing about playing for Notre Dame?
Ndukwe: Playing against the competition, the quality of competition, and the atmosphere on campus and in the Stadium.