Dec. 1, 2011
Junior outside hitter Marie Roof was one of just four upperclassmen on the Notre Dame volleyball team, and her leadership this season helped the Irish to a 17-12 record. The Muskegon, Mich., native was a finalist for Michigan’s Miss Volleyball award in 2008 and earned all-state honores twice during her high school career. The Irish advanced to title game of the BIG EAST Championship before falling to Cincinnati in three sets. She recently sat down with UND.com to tell us more about herself.
What have been your best memory from your time at Notre Dame so far?
There are too many to count, but a favorite has to be going undefeated in the BIG EAST my freshman year. Winning is fun.
Name your favorite professional team.
I’m a big Detroit Pistons fan, but since they are on lockout right now, I’ll go with the Indianapolis Colts.
What song is playing atop your iPod playlist right now?
I can’t pick one because I’m really enjoying Adele’s whole album right now.
What do you feel is the most unique part of attending Notre Dame?
You won’t find tradition like Notre Dame’s anywhere else, but I think a really unique part for us is all of the experiences that we are able to be a part of as student-athletes. Not many teams get to go to Hawaii for a week, so those memories will last forever. It seems like we are doing something fun outside of volleyball all the time.
Do you have a pregame ritual, and if so, what is it?
I always get the same pregame meal, which is just grilled cheese and tomato soup.
Who is the most famous person you’ve met and where did you meet him/her?
Well this year we ran into “Big” (Chris Noth) from “Sex and the City” while we were in Hawaii, and we flew back from Syracuse with Taye Diggs from “Private Practice”.
What is your major and why did you choose it?
I am majoring in finance. I chose it because I like numbers, and it leaves a lot of doors open for me after graduation.
What are your plans after graduation?
Hopefully I will be able to snag a good job. If not, I will go back to working at the Whippi Dip.
What’s your favorite cartoon character and why?
Doug Funny is my all time favorite. He is hilarious and all of his character friends are hilarious, so it doesn’t get much better than that.
Do you have any siblings and what are their ages?
I have one brother, Tony, who is 21 and attends Grand Valley State University.
What made you decide to play volleyball?
I was really into basketball growing up, but once I started playing volleyball I really enjoyed it. It’s a sport that gets more and more fun as you get older and the competition gets better.
What is the best place to eat on campus and why?
I really enjoy South Dining Hall. You won’t find a better people-watching place.
Who was your role model growing up and why?
I always looked up to my parents. They work so hard and instilled so many important values in me, so I can’t thank them enough.
What is the best place to study on campus?
The first floor of the library; it’s quiet, but there are also plenty of distractions.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would love to go to Greece to find the traveling pants.
What do you miss most about being away from home and why?
I miss my dogs the most. I can talk to my family everyday, but my dogs don’t know how to use the phone yet.
If you could trade places with Coach Brown for a day, what would you do?
I would definitely take the team to Ritters or Indulgence. Or both.
What’s the best part of playing at Notre Dame and why?
I think the atmosphere that our team creates is the best part. We truly are like a family, and it’s so nice to know that the family is always there through the ups and downs.
What is your favorite movie?
It has to be a tie between “Role Models” and “Dinner for Schmucks”. Paul Rudd is the man.
Use 3 words to describe yourself.
Easy-going, funny (I think) and learner.
— ND —