Feb. 11, 2011
Last month, senior fencer Ted Hodges made a remarkable return to Notre Dame’s fencing team after undergoing a successful heart transplant the previous year. The Salina, Kan., native is part of the Irish foil squad and has proven to be a tough-minded and strong-willed competitor on the strip and off. After walking on to the University of Kansas football team, Hodges transferred in 2006 to Notre Dame, where he has been able to train with his Kanza Fencing Center club coach and Irish assistant coach Gia Kvaratskhelia. On Jan, 30th at the Notre Dame Duals, competing for the first time in two years, Hodges won 15 of his 19 bouts. At Northwestern Duals on Feb. 5-6, Hodges finished with a 4-1 record. Following the team’s 8-0 victory at Northwestern Duals, und.com’s Briana Coyne talked with Hodges about himself and his return to fencing with the Irish.
You started fencing at the age of 8. How did you get involved in this sport? My parents started fencing for a local college’s fencing club. I tagged along to a few practices and picked up the sport.
What is your favorite aspect of fencing? My favorite aspect of fencing is the intimacy with individual sports. You’re on your own little island and you assume the whole amount of the result: win or lose.
Before attending Notre Dame, you played football at Kansas. What made you decide to come to Notre Dame and fence? I decided on Notre Dame because I really wanted to push my limits in academics. Plus, I had the option of fencing for a very good team.
Use five words to describe yourself. Five words to describe myself would be stubborn, respectful, priorities, competitive, faith.
What is it like having your brother Grant, a sophomore member of the foil squad, here at Notre Dame with you and on the fencing team as well? It has been wonderful. We are very close and it really helps each other in many aspects of our lives.
What will you miss most about Notre Dame after you graduate? I will miss the campus. It’s by far the most beautiful campus.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not studying or practicing? When I’m not studying or practicing, I go to the indoor Go-Karts in Strikes and Spares. It’s open until 1 am. Enough said.
What is your favorite movie? My favorite movie is Dumb and Dumber. Hands down.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? And what would you do? If I could travel anywhere I would travel anyplace with a nice, warm beach. Surfing and eating seafood doesn’t sound too bad.
What is the best advice that you have ever been given and who gave it to you? My dad told me to always be active in life.
In high school, you made it to the state finals with your forensics team. What was your favorite speech you memorized? It was a pretty funny informative speech: Blackbeard.
What is one thing about you that might surprise people? I have four digits in my right pinkie.
If you had the chance to play golf with anyone, dead or alive, who else would be in your foursome and why would you pick those three people? I would play golf with Bill Murray, Bob Knight, and Bear Grylls.
What artist would people be most surprised you had in your collection? Billy Ray Cyrus
What is your favorite season? Why? My favorite season is fall. It’s prime football and barbeque season.
What is your favorite thing about fencing for Notre Dame? My favorite things about fencing for Notre Dame are my teammates and coaches. We have a great group.
If there was a song to describe your team, what would it be? Motley Crue – “Kickstart My Heart”
What have you learned about yourself from your experiences over the past two years? I have learned about being persistent, despite adversity. I have had my setbacks but I have to deal with it–physically and mentally.
What were you most looking forward to with your return to Notre Dame and the team? I was most looking forward to the people. There are so many wonderful individuals involved in this great Notre Dame Family.
Describe what it felt like to fence again for the first time in two years at the Notre Dame Duals. It was an amazing feeling. To be honest, I never truly thought I would return to fencing competitively. Fulfilling a goal like that is unbelievable.