Oct. 6, 2009
Junior Julie Scheidler has been a consistent presence in the lineup for the Notre Dame women’s soccer team throughout her career. The Indianapolis native has appeared in all 63 matches in her Fighting Irish career, starting 55 times, including last season, when she started and played every minute in Notre Dame’s six NCAA Championship contests during its run to the national title match. Scheidler also reached a career milestone earlier this year, scoring her first career goal in the second half of a 2-0 win over Northwestern on Sept. 20 at Alumni Stadium (she also has six career assists). Scheidler sat down with UND.com late last week to tell us a little more about herself.
Q: Who is your soccer idol?
A: Growing up, I always wanted to be like the youth soccer coach I had, Jennifer Martin.
Q: How difficult is it to double major and be an athlete?
A: Having a tight schedule between classes, practices and studying definitely forces me to stay focused and make the most of my time. That’s not to say I don’t have days when I just want to relax and do nothing, but I’ve come to realize the best way to approach it is to stay on top of my work, because playing catch up is not the way to go.
Q: You have a lot of relatives (21) who have attended (or currently attend) Notre Dame or Saint Mary’s. Did you always want to attend?
A: Yes. I cannot think of a time in my childhood when I wasn’t cheering for the Irish and hoping that one day I would end up here playing soccer.
Q: Did you grow up watching Notre Dame athletics? What has it been like to represent them?
A: As a child, I always watched the Notre Dame football games with my family on Saturdays. To be here now representing the Irish is such a blessing, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.
Q: Why did you choose your major?
A: My mom and several of my aunts are nurses, and I have always been really interested in science and medicine, so I think nursing will be a perfect fit! Notre Dame doesn’t have a nursing program though, so this is the path I am taking to get there.
Q: What is your pre-game ritual?
A: I wake up in the morning, eat breakfast and read the newspaper. After that it pretty much varies depending on the day, but there is always a nap involved somewhere throughout the day. Then, I bike to the locker room, dance with the team a little, and I’m ready to go.
Q: What is your favorite thing to get in the mail?
A: My favorite thing to get in the mail is definitely goodie boxes from my family. My mom sends me treats like puppy chow and cookies, and my little sister always draws me pictures.
Q: What’s your favorite way to relax?
A: Snuggle up and watch a movie.
Q: Is there any one game that stands out in your mind?
A: There are the obvious games that stand out in my mind like playing in the Final Four during my freshman year and the national championship game last year, but the most memorable game would definitely have to be in the playoffs last November against Minnesota. There was a blizzard the morning before our evening game, and it was about minus-10 degrees out, and our field was more like an ice rink than a soccer field. Needless to say we won the mess of a game and advanced in the tournament.
Q: What are you most proud of yourself for?
A: Working hard to get where I am today, and holding onto the morals my parents raised me with.
Q: What’s your comfort food?
A: Ice cream
Q: What is the best thing about playing soccer?
A: The best part of playing soccer is getting a chance to clear your mind of everything and just run around like a little kid again.
Q: Who is the first person you call when something important happens?
A: I can always count on my mom.
Q: What was the biggest adjustment for you from high school to college sports?
A: The professional aspect of college sports was a little hard to get used to at first.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Notre Dame?
A: My favorite thing about Notre Dame is my team; I couldn’t survive a day without them.
Q: What is your biggest frustration in soccer?
A: My biggest frustration in soccer is when the weather here in South Bend is so cold you can’t feel any part of your body, especially your feet, which are sort of important in soccer.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
A: In five years, I see myself living somewhere warm, working as a nurse, and hopefully on my way to starting a family.
— ND —