Nov. 12, 2010
Notre Dame senior midfielder Jeb Brovsky has played a key role in the success of the Irish men’s soccer team ever since he arrived on campus as a freshman. His work this season has helped the 11the-ranked Irish compile a 10-4-4 overall record and an impressive 6-2-1 mark in the BIG EAST Conference. The Lakewood, Colo., native was a first team all-BIG EAST selection this season after scoring four goals with one assist for nine points. After an impressive win against Marquette (2-1 on Nov. 6) in the BIG EAST quarterfinals, the Irish will face top-ranked Louisville in the BIG EAST semifinals at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 12 at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. As the Irish prepared for Louisville, Jeb sat down with UND.com’s Sean Kaveney to tell us more about himself and his time at Notre Dame.
Why did you decide to come to Notre Dame? I chose to come to Notre Dame because it had the academics and the athletics. The best coaches in the country, in my opinion, were here. And also, the tradition here was unmatched around the country.
Do you have a favorite professional soccer player/soccer team? My favorite professional soccer player is Zinedine Zidan. He’s just the man. The head-butt does not taint his career. In my opinion, he’s the best soccer player to ever play. Also, I am a supporter of Manchester United.
What is the most difficult part of playing soccer for Notre Dame? The most difficult part is really just time management. Getting your stuff in on time for school, as well as doing work on the road and making sure you get ahead before you go on trips.
What made you get into soccer initially? My dad put a ball in my crib, and the rest is history.
Did you grow up as a Fighting Irish fan? No, I did not grow up as an Irish fan. I always thought that Stanford was going to be my dream school, but when I was sixteen I turned to Notre Dame.
North Dining Hall or South? I prefer South Dining Hall, all the way.
What is your major and why did you pick it? I am a double major in entrepreneurship and peace studies. I chose entrepreneurship because I would like to own my own business some day, and peace studies is what I am passionate about. I have already started my own non-profit.
Where is your favorite place to study on campus? My favorite place to study on campus has to be the first floor of Hesburgh. You can people watch, and get work done.
How do you feel your game has changed or developed since coming in as a freshman? I’ve moved back to the midfield this year, so I’m more of a blue collar, hard worker. I used to be a forward and more of a playmaker, and now I am more of a playmaker that acts as the engine.
What do you miss most about your hometown? What I miss most about my hometown is the mountains for sure. I live in Denver, so the mountains and the snowboarding is what I miss.
Do you have any pre-game rituals? I don’t really have any pre-game rituals. I just take a knee before the opening whistle and thank God that I can play again.
What are your other hobbies outside of soccer? My other hobbies outside of soccer include any sports, hanging with my friends outside of school, snowboarding, and meditation.
Is there any reason behind why you wear number 5? Five has been my number all of my life, so I had to stick with it.
If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be? If I had to describe myself in one word it would be unreasonable.
If you could give on piece of advice to an aspiring soccer player, what would it be? The one piece of advice that I would give would be that if you have passion for the game, follow it. If it is something that you really want to do, don’t let anyone tell you can’t.
What career do you intend to pursue when you are done playing soccer for Notre Dame? Hopefully I’ll be playing professionally somewhere in Europe, or in the MLS. If not I’ll be working on my non-profit.
Favorite pre-game meal? I’m usually allergic to most of the stuff that the managers give us, so I usually eat a honey and sun butter sandwich and that’s about it.
What has been your favorite facility to compete in other than Alumni Stadium? That is a tough question. Hopefully the Red Bull Arena this weekend will be amazing, but we played at Toyota Park in Chicago, which was one of the best.
Do any specific games that you have played during your career here stand out in your memory? My freshman year playing at Santa Clara to take us to the Elite Eight. And then last year against UConn when we had to win and we won in overtime. Also, this year beating Indiana down at IU was one of the best moments.
What is the one thing that you are going to miss about Notre Dame? The one thing that I am going to miss is just the community and the family. Being on the team and having that support group around you is unlike anything else.