The University of Akron Athletics
Zakuani Featured in Q&A on MAC-Sports.com
September 25 | Men's Soccer
Sophomore Steve Zakuani is the featured guest for a
question and answer segment on MAC-sports.com this week.
Zakuani has been named MAC Men's Soccer Player of the Week three
times already this season and is on the Hermann Trophy Watch List,
which is considered the highest individual honor in intercollegiate
soccer. Zakuani, the 2007 Mid-American Conference Newcomer of the
Year and College Soccer News All-Freshman Team honoree, is the only
underclassman represented on the esteemed list.
Zakuani currently leads the MAC in shots (29), points (16), goals
(6) and assists (4). Last season, Zakuani was a first team All-MAC
selection and first team NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region performer. He
paced the Zips with six goals, three game-winners and added a pair
of assists for a team-high 14 points.
The following is a transcript of the interview, which can be found
on MAC-sports.com:
Why did you choose Akron?
Coach (Caleb) Porter was the
main reason I chose to come to Akron. Almost every other school
that showed an interest in me, had me speaking with their assistant
coaches only. But Coach Porter would call me on my cell phone even
when I was in England to keep me updated on the latest
developments, or just to say hi. That showed me that Akron would
take care of me not only as a player, but also as a
person.
What do you still hope to accomplish in the
future?
College-wise, I hope to get my degree in sport management, win
some more MAC Championships, and also a national
championship.
What are your goals for this season?
My main goal for this year is to be better last year.
On a team level, it means to win the MAC double again, and to go
further in the NCAA tournament. On an individual level, it's to
score more goals, have more assists and just become a better
all-around player.
What is your favorite beverage/food/desert?
My favorite food has to be Chinese. I love fried rice
and sweet and sour chicken. My favorite beverage is Mountain Dew.
We don't have it back in London so ever since I came over to the
States, it's been the one drink that I've drank over and over
again. My favorite desert is the Triple Chocolate Meltdown from
Applebees.
What is your greatest fear?
When I was 17, I wrote down a long list of everything
I wanted to do before I die on a piece of paper. So far, I've only
done two or three of the things I wrote down, and so I have to say
that my biggest fear is the thought of not accomplishing everything
I had on that list. The list ranges from playing pro soccer, to
flying a plane.
When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when
you grew up?
The first thing I ever wanted to be was a musician
because of Michael Jackson. But as I got older, I realized that I
couldn't sing or dance, and so ever since then, I've wanted to
become a professional soccer player at the highest level
possible.
What would your ideal job be? (outside of playing sports
professionally)
I've always hated the idea of a regular 9-5 job, and
so I'd have to say that I'd want to be some kind of business man. I
would love to own my own business, and if it could be a sports
related company, that would be perfect.
What are your hobbies and off-the-field interests?
I love to read. That's my main interest. I mostly read
autobiographies of people I think are successful. The best one's
I've read so far have been David Beckham's, Richard Branson's and
Malcolm X's. I also love listening to music. I'm always on my
iPod.
The person from history I'd most like to meet is...
I would have to say Jesus Christ. Not really for any
religious reason, but just because He's someone I'd be able to
learn a lot from, as well as have an interesting conversation
with.
What is one movie you could watch over and over again and
not get sick of?
I have three favorites. Malcolm X, Freedom Writers and
American History X... I've watched all three several times a week
and I've yet to get sick of them.
Zakuani and the No. 9 Zips (5-1-2) will get back into action this
weekend by hosting Stony Brook Saturday night starting at 7 pm.
