Q&A With Akira Fitzgerald
9/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 15, 2010
This article was originally published in the Sept. 2 edition of Kickoff, the official gameday magazine of Wake Forest football.
Q: What goals has the team set for itself this season?
A: Although we're a young team, I think we always start the year with the same goals, and that is winning one of the three trophies: the ACC regular season title, the ACC Tournament title or the national title. We hope to at least win one of those.
Q: Have you set any goals for yourself this year individually?
A: I have a few personal goals I want to accomplish. I just want to make sure I do a good job of leading this team. I think if we accomplish our team goals, my personal goals will come with that as well.
Q: What are your aspirations once you graduate from Wake Forest?
A: I definitely hope to play at the next level after this season. Right now I'm completely focused on what goes on here this season. Hopefully those things will take care of themselves once this season is over.
Q: You enter your senior season first in school history in goals against average. What's been the key to your success?
A: I can give as much credit to the defenders in front of me. I've had the pleasure to play with great defenders like Lyle Adams, Evan Brown, Ike Opara and Danny Wenzel who don't give up too many opportunities, and the opportunities they do give up, I've been able to handle. I have to give a lot of credit to the defenders I've played behind.
Q: This year's men's soccer team is really young with 18 freshmen and sophomores on the roster. Talk about your role as a senior in helping the young players improve and jell into the Wake Forest system?
A: I think our players always change, but the style that our team plays will always stay the same. My job is to get the young guys to quickly learn how we play soccer. The quicker they can learn that, the easier it will be for me to play behind them and the better off the program will be.
Q: What's been your favorite class at Wake Forest?
A: My favorite class at Wake Forest has been a documentary film-making class. It was really interesting to me. First, we read about how documentaries were made and then had a chance to make a hands-on documentary. That was a really fun class.
Q: Who is your favorite athlete to watch in another sport and why?
A: I think my favorite athlete to watch in another sport would be Kobe Bryant because I really admire how well he plays at the end of games and the intensity he brings to the court.
Q: What one game are you most looking forward to this season?
A: Hopefully the national championship game. I think I'm looking forward to the first game of the season and getting out on the field and playing Seton Hall. That's what we have to worry about right now.
Q: What's one thing the team needs to do this season to have a successful year?
A: I think we have to be able to defend well. As long as we defend well and don't give up many chances, we'll create chances on the offensive end. I think we just have to defend well as a team.
Q: What's on your iPod right now?
A: I have a lot of stuff on my iPod right now. One of the songs I've been listening to a lot recently is called "Right Above It" by Lil' Wayne and Drake.
