April 12, 2010
Matt Ciambella is a senior from Orchard Park, N.Y., who plays attack for the Notre Dame men’s lacrosse team and has played in 36 career games since he began as a freshman. Ciambella is enrolled in the Mendoza College of Business as a marketing major and hopes to end his career at Notre Dame well, both academically and on the lacrosse field. Ciambella recently sat down with UND.com to tell us more about himself.
1. What is your major and why does it interest you?
I am a marketing major. This interests me because no matter what you end up doing in life, you always have to know how to market yourself.
2. What do you miss most about your hometown?
I am from Orchard Park, N.Y., 10-15 minutes outside of Buffalo, so I definitely miss the chicken wings. I also miss having my family around.
3. What would you like to do after graduating from Notre Dame?
Travel and explore the world. I am not sure what I want to do, and I do not want to get a job “just to get a job.” There is a lot of stuff out in the world that I need to experience. I might as well do it while I am young.
4. What is your favorite thing about playing lacrosse for Notre Dame?
The bond that I have created with my team members. Everyone is on the same page, and I know that I can always count on them for anything. They are friends that I will have for the rest of my life.
5. Does your number hold any significance for you? If so, what?
I changed my number three different times throughout my career. None of them really hold any significance.
6. When/how did you become interested in lacrosse?
My hometown is all about lacrosse and sports in general. It was just natural to pick up a stick and start playing when you were a kid.
7. What is your best team memory playing at Notre Dame?
I do not have one specific team memory that sticks out. We always have a great time when we travel. I am not sure what it is, but when we are traveling, everyone is in this “giddy” mode and we seem to have a good time.
8. What was your best play for Notre Dame?
I would probably have to say scoring an extra-man goal during our win versus Ohio State last season.
9. Do you hold any personal goals for lacrosse? If so, what?
I don’t really have any personal goals for lacrosse besides always trying to enjoy whatever I am doing.
10. How does playing lacrosse at Notre Dame compare to playing lacrosse elsewhere?
I think we are very lucky to play lacrosse at Notre Dame for a few reasons: the first being that everyone who is participating is usually on the same page and shares all the same goals in life and on the field; the second being that we are lucky to have such a big athletic department. We are able to receive a lot of nice equipment and apparel that some other schools do not receive.
11. Do you have any pre-game rituals/superstitions?
Not really. I usually like to listen to music and try to be in a relaxed mood.
12. What song always gets you pumped up before a game?
I love music so there really isn’t just one song that gets me pumped for games. Whatever I have been listening to that week usually does the trick.
13. What is your favorite place on campus?
It would have to be South or North Quad on a nice sunny day during finals. It is just cool to see everyone outside enjoying life.
14. If you had a sports drink named after you, what would it be called?
“The Ciams.”
15. What hobbies do you have?
I really like to mess around with music. I also like to jet-ski and kite-board — basically anything that you do on or in the water.
16. What attracted you to Notre Dame?
It would have to be Notre Dame’s academic reputation and the alumni network.
17. What is your favorite class?
It would probably be one of the acting courses that I have taken. They are a lot of fun, because you are able to be whoever you want.
18. As a senior, what do you plan on doing after graduating from Notre Dame?
I am going to move out to Santa Monica, Calif., with a few friends. I want to get involved with the entertainment industry. I am not really sure what I specifically want to do, but I want to make sure I am experiencing and enjoying life.
— ND —