Maurice Stovall, a sociology major, lists Spanish as his toughest class.

Getting To Know... Maurice Stovall

Nov. 11, 2005

#21 Maurice Stovall
Senior, 6-5, 222
Wide Receiver
Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Carroll

Senior wide receiver Maurice Stovall is in his fourth season at Notre Dame having seen action in 41 games during his career going into last week’s contest versus Tennessee. As a senior, the veteran wide receiver has put up career numbers with 40 catches for 625 yards and five touchdowns through the first seven games of the season. In 41 career games, Stovall has 101 catches for 1,671 yards and 12 touchdowns. He will long remember his game against Brigham Young on Oct. 22 when he set Notre Dame records for catches (14), catches in a half (11 in first half) and touchdowns (4). He also had a career-best 207 yards on those 14 catches. GameDay’s Elizabeth Goers gives Irish fans a chance to get to know Maurice Stovall.

Goers: What is your major and how did you get interested in that area of study?

Stovall: I am a sociology major. Originally, I was a business major but I switched to sociology because I lost interest in some of the required classes. I switched to sociology during spring semester of my sophomore year and liked the various course topics and it come natural to me.

Goers: What has been your hardest class and why?

Stovall: Spanish is my most difficult class. I understand it, but I just have trouble with exams.

Goers: What has been your favorite class and why?

Stovall: My favorite class is Computer Applications 401 with Lou Berzai. I love his teaching methods and he’s funny.

Goers: What made you pick Notre Dame over the other schools you were interested in? What were the other schools?

Stovall: I chose Notre Dame because I felt like it had the best combination of academics and athletics. God forbid, if I were to get injured. I would still want to graduate with a meaningful degree.

Goers: To date, what has been the highlight of your Notre Dame career?

Stovall: The highlight of my Notre Dame career has yet to come. That will be the day I graduate.

Goers: Who were your sports idols as a kid and why?

Stovall: My idol as a kid was Randall Cunningham the quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. I loved the way he played and I was always a big Eagles’ fan.

Goers: Who has been your biggest non-sports role model and why?

Stovall: My biggest non-sports role model would be my father, Maurice Stovall, Sr. He’s everything that a real man should be.

Goers: What is one thing in your life that you cannot live without?

Stovall: I can’t live without sunflower seeds.

Goers: Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Stovall: My pre-game ritual is to watch a Bruce Lee movie every Thursday night before a game. I don’t know why since it has nothing to do with football.

Goers: What is the best advice that you have ever been given and who gave it to you?

Stovall: The best advice that I’ve ever gotten came from my mother. She told me “nothing comes to a sleeper but a dream.”

Goers: How do you think you’ve grown as a person since coming to Notre Dame?

Stovall: There are many on-and-off the field trials and tribulations that have made me mature as a student, as a player and as a man. I have also done a better job with time management, which I think is one of the most important things you learn as a student-athlete.

Goers: What is you favorite movie and why?

Stovall: My favorite movie is `The Last Dragon.’ It’s a kung-fu movie that I’ve been watching since I was about five years old. I love kung-fu movies and the old kung-fu flicks.

Goers: How and what do you do to balance your workload and your football workload?

Stovall: I write everything down that I have to do and plan my week out every Sunday. Then I get my work done ahead of time.

Goers: What CD do you have in your collection that would surprise people?

Stovall: The one that might surprise people is The Jackson Five.

Goers: Where is the toughest place that you’ve played as a college football player?

Stovall: The toughest place that I’ve played is at Syracuse and the Carrier Dome. Their old turf field gave me bad turf burns.

Goers: What is your most embarrassing moment in athletics?

Stovall: When I was fourth grade, my mother took me to my confirmation and I was late for my pee-wee football game. I forgot my cleats and white socks so I played in my mother’s white New Balance shoes and my maroon church socks. The entire team was laughing at me as I ran down the sidelines for a touchdown.

Goers: If you were stranded on an island and could only eat one meal, only listen to one song, and spend your time with only one person; what would you eat, what would you listen to and who would you pick?

Stovall: My meal would be a Philadelphia cheese-steak sandwich with a side of cheese fries and a root-beer soda. I would listen to “Float On” by the Isley Brothers……and I would want my girlfriend to be there.

Goers: Who is the best athlete that you have ever competed against?

Stovall: My little sister.

Goers: If you had the chance to play golf with anyone in history, besides you, who else would be in your foursome and why would you pick those three people?

Stovall: I would want to play golf with Martin Lawrence – he’s hilarious, Victor Abiamiri – for protection and Gabrielle Union – because she could brighten up the scenery.

Goers: Describe what it feels like on game day and playing Notre Dame stadium?

Stovall: Game day at Notre Dame Stadium feels like I am getting ready for a huge party.