(October 23, 2009) The University of Southern Indiana men's cross country team is competing for its fifth consecutive GLVC title Saturday and 16th overall. The Screaming Eagles will rely heavily on a sophomore class that features Brendan Devine, Dustin Emerick, and David Goodman among others.
Recently, Devine sat down with former USI baseball player and current sports information intern Royle Beach for a little Q&A. Devine, who has been USI's top competitor throughout the season, earned All-GLVC and All-Midwest Region honors a year ago. Below is what the history and journalism major revealed:
Beach: What is your full name?
Devine: Brendan Joseph Devine
Beach: When were you born?
Devine: September 26, 1990
Beach: Where is your hometown?
Devine: Bethel, New York
Beach: Do you have any nicknames, and if so how did you get them?
Devine: My teammates have always called me Devine. It started in High School because we had three runners named Brendan and another named Brandon on our cross country team. We used last names to avoid confusion
Beach: What is your biggest sports accomplishment?
Devine: Finishing ninth at the Midwest Regional last fall. It was a big deal for me as an individual achievement and also as a team success because we qualified for nationals. As a freshman that was a pretty exciting day.
Beach: What is your best childhood memory?
Devine: Probably playing baseball in the back yard with my brothers, my dad, and my friends.
Beach: Describe yourself in three words.
Devine: Dedicated, studious, and athletic
Beach: How did you get started running cross country?
Devine: When I was six my doctor told me to start running to help fight my asthma so I did. At first it was just because the doctor told me to but then I started to love it and suddenly started doing well in local road races. There’s been no looking back since.
Beach: What do you like most about USI?
Devine: I love the feel of the campus. It’s a growing school but campus is quiet and has a relaxed atmosphere.
Beach: What is the best thing about college life?
Devine: Getting to meet new people from different places and different backgrounds.
Beach: What are your plans after college?
Devine: I hope to continue running competitively after I graduate and then someday to become a college history professor or a cross country coach.
Beach: Who has been the biggest influence on your personal life?
Devine: A friend of mine, Dick Beardsley. I met him at a running camp and he has taught me so much about not just running but about life and how to face every day challenges. He is my hero.
Beach: What is the best/worst thing about being a college athlete?
Devine: The best thing is definitely the team. I love our entire team. It’s like having a second family who is always there for you. The worst thing about being a college athlete is that it can be so much harder to keep up with school work because of the demands of the sport.
Beach: What motivates you as a cross country runner?
Devine: Passion. I love the sport.
Beach: What’s your favorite college course?
Devine: I don’t really have a favorite. I love all my history classes and I think I’m really going to enjoy my British Literature class this fall.
Beach: What kind of music do you listen to before meets to get you pumped up?
Devine: I really don’t have anything specific that I listen to before meets; whatever I’ve been listening to at that time. Music isn’t really a part of my pre race rituals.
Beach: What’s your favorite college sports team other than USI?
Devine: The Oregon Ducks.
Beach: What’s your dream vacation spot?
Devine: Well, I finally made it out to Eugene, Oregon, this summer for a meet and I would love to go back there again, not only to race, but to just spend a little time. It’s an amazing place.
Beach: What kind of teammate are you?
Devine: I try to be a very supporting teammate. Whether we are doing hills, a tempo, or other types of workouts, I try my best to be there for my teammates. I think it is really important to be a good teammate because we are a family. I remember during my freshman year Brian Phillips and Brandon Campbell were both really supportive and encouraging and they helped me out a lot. I hope that I can help my teammates out the way that Brian and Brandon helped me.
