Oct. 25, 2010
By Sean Kaveney
Junior tennis player, Sam Keeton, has been making the most of his time at Notre Dame. As a freshman, he was recognized as a BIG EAST academic all-star, and began his career for the Irish with six straight wins. Keeton enters his junior year coming off a 2009-10 campaign that saw him turn in a 23-4 record in singles. Sam recently sat down with UND.com’s Sean Kaveney to tell us more about himself and his tennis career.
Why did you decide to come to Notre Dame? I chose Notre Dame because the great athletics and academics are hard to pass up. Also, the sense of community involved at Notre Dame was a factor.
If you could play a match with any professional tennis player, who would it be? If I could play any professional player, I would play Rafael Nadal.
What is the most difficult part of playing tennis for Notre Dame? The most difficult part of playing tennis at Notre Dame is managing the time and pressure that goes along with being a Notre Dame athlete.
Who would you say your role models were growing up? My role models were my parents and my coach, who also played tennis at Notre Dame.
What made you get into tennis initially? I got into tennis because my dad played tennis, so he started me around age four. I liked it and have continued to play ever since.
Did you grow up as a Fighting Irish fan? I did not grow up a Notre Dame fan. I was actually one of those people that hated them for no apparent reason.
North Dining Hall or South? I prefer South Dining Hall
What is your major and why did you pick it? My major is finance. I like working with numbers and I think it’s a practical major that provides me with options after I graduate.
Where is your favorite place to study on campus? My favorite place to study is at Coleman-Morse.
If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be? One word to describe me is competitive.
What is the last song you listened to? The last song that I listened to was Otherside by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
What do you miss most about your hometown? The thing I miss about my hometown are my friends.
Do you have any pre-game rituals? My pregame ritual is listening to my iPod.
What are your other hobbies outside of tennis? My other hobbies are playing poker and going to the movies.
If you could give on piece of advice to an aspiring tennis player, what would it be? Every time you practice, you either get better or worse. You never stay the same. Do everything possible to get better and you will be in a great position.
What career do you intend to pursue when you are done playing tennis for Notre Dame? I hope to work on Wall Street as a trader.
If you hadn’t chosen to play tennis, is there another sport you would have liked to play? I would have liked to play either basketball or soccer. I used to play both until I decided to completely focus on tennis.
Favorite pre-game meal? My favorite pre-game meal is chicken parmesan.
Do any matches that you’ve played in your career stand out in your memory? Against Florida State last year, we were tied at 3-3. I was able to win a three-set match and clinch the win for our team.
What has been your favorite facility to compete in other than the tennis facilities here at Notre Dame? My favorite facility would be the Guglielmino Complex.