Sept. 28, 2008
A two-time all-BIG EAST selection, Matt Besler has played in 77 career games for the Irish, totaling 14 points on four goals and six assists. The BIG EAST Academic All-Star is a three-time monogram winner and has previously trained with the U.S. Under-20 National Team.
1. If you could trade places with Coach Clark for a day, what would you do?
I would take a day off and go play golf. I think he works awful hard and he needs a day off, and he enjoys golfing, too.
2. Do you have any pre-game rituals/superstitions?
We always eat a pre-game meal at Coach’s house, and I always eat Cocoa Crispies, a bowl of fruit and some pancakes.
3. What’s your theme song?
I’m a big country guy, so I’ll say Eric Church’s “Guys Like Me.”
4. If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I would have dinner with Michael Jordan, because he was my childhood hero.
5. What song do you love to listen to but are embarrassed to admit it?
“I Feel Like a Woman” by Shania Twain
6. Where is your favorite place at Notre Dame?
Lafortune because it has the most people, and I like to people watch.
7. Which has been the biggest game of your career?
We played Maryland my sophomore year in the Sweet 16. We were pretty big underdogs and we won 1-0 in overtime to advance to the Elite Eight.
8. Do you have any nicknames?
Most everyone calls me Bes, and some of the guys call me Beesy Daddy or Easy Beesy.
9. When you were little, who was your favorite cartoon character?
It’s between Doug Funny and Tommy Pickles from Rugrats. I’m going to have to go with Tommy Pickles because he was the star of the show and the coolest little kid ever.
10. What’s your worst habit?
I’m 21 years old and I still bite my nails. It’s kind of embarrassing and I’m trying to stop.
11. What television show would you like to make a cameo on?
Home Improvement is my favorite show and I still watch reruns all the time. I’d definitely like to go on Tool Time.
12. If a movie was made about your life, what would the title be and who would play you?
It would be titled Taking it Easy because I’m pretty easy going. I would want Jessica Biel to play me, because if they made a movie about me, I’d want to watch it a lot, and there’s no better girl to watch than Jessica Biel.
13. Where do you want to be in 10 years?
In 10 years, hopefully I’ll be married. I want to settle down and have a lot of kids. A big family would be entertaining and fun.
14. What is the hardest thing about being a student-athlete?
The stereotypes for academics. People don’t want to be your partner in class, because they don’t think you’re as smart as everyone else. Either that or time management because you go to class all day then practice from 3-6.
15. If you were stranded on an island, what three things would you want to have with you?
Fruit snacks, because I love them; an iPod to keep me entertained; and the Bible.
16. What would be your dream job?
I’d say an owner of a sports team or a general manager. It would be awesome to go to all the games and make decisions about the team.
17. What’s the most notable thing about your hometown?
I’m from Kansas City, and the barbeque is its’ claim to fame. There are at least 25 famous restaurants downtown.
18. Where is the greatest place your sport has taken you?
I was lucky enough to travel to Italy, Portugal, England and Spain when I was younger, but I’d have to say Brazil with the Notre Dame team a couple summers ago because I was older and could appreciate it more. I was with my teammates who I’m really close with, so it was really fun.
19. What is your most embarrassing moment on the field?
It’s not really embarrassing, but one time in high school my friend and I thought it’d be funny to play an entire game without tying our shoes, and we actually did it.
20. What does being part of the Fighting Irish mean to you?
I think becoming part of the family, the entire Notre Dame family and also specifically the soccer family. Once you become part of it, it’s pretty special and you can always come back here and feel welcome and part of something.