Nov. 12, 2004
#77 Greg Pauly
Senior, 6-6, 295
Defensive Tackle
Waukesha, WI/South
Senior Greg Pauly is a fifth year defensive lineman at Notre Dame who is in his first season as one of the starters on the Irish defense. A versatile player who has seen action at both defensive tackle and nose guard, Pauly has played in 32 games, making 13 starts. This season, Pauly has recorded 13 solo tackles and 18 assisted tackles for 31 on the year. Four-and-a-half have been for losses and he owns one sack for a seven-yard loss. GameDay Magazine’s Bridget Viehmeyer gives Irish fans a chance to get to know Greg Pauly.
Veihmeyer: What is your major and why are you interested in it?
Pauly: I’m a Marketing major. I got interested in Marketing after taking the pre-requisites and found I enjoyed them.
Veihmeyer: What is your hardest class?
Pauly: Managerial Economics.
Veihmeyer: What is your favorite class and why?
Pauly: My favorite class is Finance with Carl Ackermann, because he’s a great teacher.
Veihmeyer: To date, what has been the highlight of your Notre Dame career?
Pauly: For me, beating Michigan this year was the highlight. We also beat them here two years ago, which was awesome, but I played a more significant role this year.
Veihmeyer: Who were your sports idols as a kid and why?
Pauly: My idol was Reggie White, because I grew up in Wisconsin and he played for the Green Bay Packers.
Veihmeyer: As a football player is there anyone you’ve modeled your game after?
Pauly: I’ve modeled my game after Reggie White, because he was always a guy with good character who worked hard.
Veihmeyer: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
Pauly: I like to say that I don’t, but I actually have a lot. I try to do everything the same every time, like the way I put my pads in my pants and things like that.
Veihmeyer: What is one thing about you that might surprise people?
Pauly: That I’m actually a nice guy. At least I like to think I am.
Veihmeyer: How have you grown as a person since coming to Notre Dame?
Pauly: There have been a lot of ups and downs, with my family and personally, both on and off the field. Things like getting injured and having to battle back through that.
Veihmeyer: What is your most embarrassing moment in sports?
Pauly: Against Boston College this year when I messed up on the first series of the game.
Veihmeyer: If you were stranded on an island and could only eat one meal, listen to one artist, and have one person with you; what would you eat, what would you listen to, and who would you pick?
Pauly: I’d want my mom with me. I’d have to eat some tacos and I’d listen to Toby Keith.
Veihmeyer: What is your favorite movie?
Pauly: Tombstone.
Veihmeyer: What is the toughest place you’ve played as a college football player?
Pauly: Michigan is a pretty tough place to play for me because I was so close to that football program. I was deciding between Notre Dame and there.
Veihmeyer: What CD do you have in your collection that might surprise people?
Pauly: I have some not-so-macho CDs like Faith Hill and Shania Twain.
Veihmeyer: Who is the best athlete you’ve ever competed against?
Pauly: Jeff Faine.
Veihmeyer: If you were in a movie, what would it be?
Pauly: It would be an action film, like a Russian mafia movie.
Veihmeyer: If you could play golf with anyone in history, who would be in your foursome, besides yourself?
Pauly: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, and Michael Jordan.
Veihmeyer: If you could be a cartoon character, who would it be?
Pauly: Elmer Fudd.
Veihmeyer: Describe what it feels like on game day and playing in Notre Dame Stadium?
Pauly: It’s loud and there’s adrenaline pumping everywhere.
Veihmeyer: What is your favorite thing about playing for Notre Dame?
Pauly: My favorite thing is the tradition of Notre Dame and being with your teammates. They’re great guys.