Oct. 2, 2009
Junior forward Steven Perry has been a consistent force on the Irish men’s soccer team and looks to continue that presence this season. Perry has seen action in all nine games for Notre Dame this season, scoring two goals and totaling four points. The Edmond, Okla., native played in 32 games during his freshman and sophomore seasons with the Irish, notching five points with one goal and three assists. Perry sat down with UND.com to tell us a little more about himself.
What is you major and why does it interest you?
I am a finance and Spanish major. I have always been interested in Spanish, traveling to Peru for mission trips, and my dad has always been involved in business, so I think finance just seem to make the most sense for me here in the Mendoza College of Business.
What attracted you to Notre Dame?
It was the soccer, because I was looking around at other schools. There is not a better mix out there of the quality we have, a really good Division I team and really good academics.
What one word would your teammates use to describe you and why?
Probably OCD. I like to keep things in my room really organized. Everything has a certain spot. They also might call me cheap. I brought chips and dip to a party once, but they weren’t finished by the end of the night. I took them home with me and the guys haven’t let me forget it.
What do you see yourself doing after you graduate?
Soccer would be ideal, but I would also love to become a professional whistler; it is an inside joke with the team. If soccer did not work out, something with business possibly, even going into business with my dad. I am going to graduate a semester early, so if soccer does not work out I’m going to go down to Peru for a semester and work on my Spanish.
If you were stranded on an island, what three things would you have to have with you?
A Nintendo Wii with the Wii sports package, the movie Madagascar 2 and a TV that worked on the island to play both of them.
What is your favorite memory with one of your teammates?
Andrew Luttrell and I went skiing in Park City, Utah last winter break, and it was tons of fun.
Who is the toughest athlete you’ve gone up against?
Matt Besler, who graduated from Notre Dame last year. He’s probably the best defender I’ve ever gone up against. He’s playing for the Kansas City Wizards (in Major League Soccer) now.
What is the hardest thing about being a student-athlete?
It is not the time management because I’ve been doing that all through high school. The hardest thing to deal with is the stereotype people have about you if you are an athlete. They assume you are dumb, you don’t work hard or you don’t care. I feel like that that is not the case for me.
If you could make a cameo on any TV show, which one would you choose?
It would have to be “Boy Meets World.” I would probably have to be Topanga’s boyfriend for a couple of episodes or I would want to be on the Nickelodeon episodes of “Madagascar 2.”
What is your earliest soccer memory?
I must have been about four years old, and I remember scoring something like nine goals in one game. It was epic.
If you weren’t playing soccer, what clubs/interests would you pursue?
I would love to learn how to play the guitar. I actually just started two weeks ago.
What’s the best book you’ve read all year?
Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and The Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 by Marcus Luttrell.
What is your most enjoyable memory during your career at Notre Dame?
In my first game of college soccer, Coach Clark put me in, and within less than 10 seconds, my second touch was the game-winning point. It was incredible.
What is your idea of a perfect day?
I would be with all my closest friends, hanging out at my house. We would have a grill going, and we would swim or play catch. It would be great to relax and have nothing to worry about.
If you could have dinner with any three people, dead or alive, who would they be?
(Spanish soccer player) Fernando Torres, Abraham Lincoln and Will Ferrell.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned while playing soccer at Notre Dame?
Team before self
What song always gets you ready to take the field?
“What a Feeling” by Peter Lutz and Dominico
— ND —