Oct. 16, 2009
Junior midfield/forward Jeb Brovsky continues his consistent play with the Irish men’s soccer team this season. The Lakewood, Colo., native has seen action in all 13 games for Notre Dame this season, scoring three goals and notching one assist. A third-team all-BIG EAST selection a year ago, Brovsky has played in 45 career games, earning 28 points on 10 goals and eight assists. Brovsky sat down with UND.com to tell us a little more about himself.
Q. What is your major and why does it interest you?
A. I am an entrepreneurship major. It interests me because of the creativity involved and being free to be my own boss. I really feel like I want to do something with social change, and I think entrepreneurship is the major that will help me accomplish that.
Q. What do you miss most about your hometown (Lakewood, Colo.)?
A. The mountains and snowboarders.
Q. What would you like to do after graduating from Notre Dame?
A. I would love to play professionally overseas, and if that doesn’t work out then I want to start my own business that targets Third World countries and fights hunger and poverty through soccer.
Q. What is your favorite thing about playing soccer for Notre Dame?
A. I would say just being around the team and being around the guys. It’s a great group of guys, and the coaches are the best in the country in my opinion. It’s just got the whole package here.
Q. What is the worst thing about playing soccer for Notre Dame?
A. November and December home games.
Q. What is your favorite memory with your team?
A. I have two. One would be freshman year when we beat Santa Clara in the NCAA, and we went to the Elite Eight. The feeling after that game is just the best win we’ve had. The second would be one of the last games we played this season since we moved into the new stadium. We always sing after our wins, and we got pretty rowdy one night, so that was pretty fun.
Q. Does your number hold any significance for you?
A. I’ve been number 5 my whole life. Jack Traynor has been number 5 since I was a freshman, so this is my first year as number 5.
Q. Do you have any specific role model for soccer?
A. Zinedine Zidane. He’s the most amazing soccer player ever.
Q. What do you think about David Beckham playing in the United States?
A. I think it’s great actually. I think if we can get those players when they are younger, when they’re more in their prime, that’s really going to help the United States. Having a big star like David Beckham is great.
Q. Do you have a favorite professional team?
A. I am a Manchester United fan, but I’m also a Barcelona fan. They are just the most beautiful team. I’m a Colorado boy, so I’m going to have to go with the Colorado Rapids (in Major League Soccer).
Q. Since you are a Manchester United fan, what do you think about Christiano Ronaldo, a big-time former player for Man U who recently signed with Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid?
A. I love him as a player, but I think Real Madrid is going to be a better fit for him.
Q. Who is your toughest rival personally or as a team? Why?
A. For the team, I would think Indiana or Connecticut. We haven’t beaten either team since I’ve been here.
Q. Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
A. I pray before the opening whistle and just thank God. If this is my last game of soccer, I just thank Him for letting me play.
Q. What song always gets you pumped up before a game?
A. I listen to some weird music before games, and I have this Arabic/French song. It does me in and gets my feet moving.
Q. What attracted you to Notre Dame?
A. My mom is from the Midwest and she brought me up here for a visit. I set one foot on campus and one day around the team, and I absolutely loved it.
Q. What is your favorite place on campus?
A. The Grotto. I go there every night. It’s the most peaceful place.
Q. Does everyone wearing soccer jerseys on campus inspire you at all?
A. I think it does. Lately we’ve actually had some of the best fans. I just love our fans. When I see people with Irish soccer shirts on, I think the team feeds off of that. The school chemistry is just amazing.
Q. How do you feel soccer in America is coming along?
A. I think we’re coming along, and I think we’re making certain strides but building our youth in the pro system has got to be a little better. I think because we value education so much, it kind of hurts us with the European teams.
Q. What hobbies do you have?
A. I love to snowboard. I love to read. I have too many, I guess; just being with friends and being around family. Music is my passion, too. I just love listening to music all the time.
— ND —