FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Jeremy Rushing, Student Sports Information Assistant)
Sept. 17, 2012 - Whether it's with this feet or his voice,
T.J. Simmons knows how to make his presence felt. During his four years with the North Central College men's soccer program, T.J. has been a central part of the team's success.
The senior has truly shown what it means to be a “student-athlete”, balancing his time with the soccer team, forensics team, and academics.
T.J. first stepped on the field in 2009 as a freshman and didn't take long to make an impact, scoring his first goal in a 4-2 victory over Knox College. The entrepreneurship major went on to appear in seven games for the Cardinals.
As a sophomore, T.J. found himself in a much more prominent role on the team. He played in all 18 games for North Central, starting 17 of them. T.J. finished the season with six goals, including the game winner in overtime against Lake Forest College, and two assists.
Last season, T.J. played in 15 games, starting seven of them. The forward finished the season with three goals, including a game winner in the 75th minute in a 1-0 victory over Lawrence University (Wis.), and three assists. T.J. also found himself fourth on the team in points (9), and earned Academic All-College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) honors for the fall 2011 season.
T.J. has factored heavily into the Cardinals' early success this season. He has scored six goals, including three game-winners, as North Central is 6-1 after
winning the Sal Vaccaro Tournament over the weekend. The Cardinals return to action at the University of Chicago on Saturday.
Q: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: I've been playing since I was about three years old.
Q: What's your favorite thing about the game?
A: The team atmosphere; being around your teammates all the time and kind of creating a family in a sense.
Q: Who is your favorite soccer team?
A: I don't follow too much soccer, but
when we went to Spain and Italy we got to watch Barcelona play and that was really cool. I'd say I follow them more than anyone because we got to watch them.
Q: What about your favorite player?
A: I'd have to go with (Leonel) Messi. He plays for Barcelona.
Q: What other sports have you played competitively?
A: In high school I actually played five sports. Besides soccer, I kicked for the football team. I also played basketball, baseball, and ran track.
Q: Is there anyone else in your family who is currently playing or played soccer?
A: My 10 year old sister actually just made a travel team for soccer. Other than that, my dad barely knew what soccer was until I came to college (laughs).
Q: What is your pre game ritual?
A: We listen to a lot of music in the locker room. It's a whole variety of stuff. We have an Ecuadorian on the team so we listen to some of his music. We also listen to some rap, rock, alternative, anything you can really think of. It really brings us together and gets us pumped up.
Q: What is your favorite class you have taken so far at North Central?
A: I really loved
Argumentation & Debate with
Prof. Richard Paine. It's a very tough class, but it's very rewarding and a ton of fun. You learn a lot and it's very interesting.
Q: Are you involved in any other activities on campus?
A: I'm also on the
forensics team, which is the speech team on campus. I do that every weekend I'm not playing soccer, and I absolutely love it. It's so much fun.
Q: Who are your role models?
A: My role models are my parents. I aspire to be everything that they have become. They went through a lot of struggles in life and came from the bottom to get to the top. I could only hope to be the person that they want me to be one day.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you're not playing soccer?
A: I watch a lot of movies and hang out. The soccer team would probably want me to say I do nothing but eat candy, but, I just like to relax and have fun with my friends.
Q: What's your favorite movie?
A: “Finding Nemo” actually (laughs)
