Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Q&A: Mike Austin
10/1/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 1, 1999
Q: YOU HAD A STANDOUT HIGH SCHOOL CAREER STARRING FOR XENIA (OHIO) HIGH SCHOOL. WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE MICHIGAN STATE?
A: Every school has something that makes it a little different than the others and you have to find where you fit in the best. Michigan State just seemed to fit me because I felt comfortable around the players and coaches.
Q: YOU?VE HAD 23 STARTS IN YOUR CAREER, BUT THIS SEASON YOU?RE COMING OFF THE BENCH. DO YOU PREPARE YOURSELF DIFFERENTLY, EITHER PHYSICALLY OR MENTALLY GOING INTO A GAME?
A: It?s a tough transition. I practice as if I am going to start and take as many reps as I can get. When I?m on the sideline I?m listening to the coaches. You really have to stay focussed because you could be going in at any time and you can?t afford not to be ready.
Q: AFTER MISSING SOME PLAYING TIME THE LAST TWO SEASONS DUE TO INJURIES, DOES THE THOUGHT OF ANOTHER INJURY EVER ENTER INTO YOUR MIND WHILE YOU?RE ON THE FIELD?
A: I don?t ever think about injuries. If I?m out there playing hard and I get hurt, well that?s just part of the game. The harder I play the less of a chance I feel of getting injured.
Q: HOW DOES THIS SPARTAN TEAM COMPARE TO THE OTHER TEAMS YOU HAVE BEEN A PART OF?
A: We?re a lot closer team all around and really respect each other. We may not have the big names on the field, but when you look in a guy?s eyes and know he?s been around all summer working out, you know he is going to give whatever it takes on the field for the team to win.
Q: WAS THERE A CERTAIN PLAYER WHO TOOK YOU UNDER HIS WING WHEN YOU ARRIVED AS A FRESHMAN AND WERE THROWN INTO THE STARTING MIX?
A: Without a doubt it was Ike Reese. He helped me out from my very first play. It was a right trap and I didn?t have a clue what to do. He told me where to go and I ended up making the tackle. We still keep in touch.
Q: HAVE YOU HAD ANY OF THE SAME EXPERIENCES BEING ON THE OTHER END AS A SENIOR WITH SOME OF THE NEWER GUYS COMING IN?
A: These are really good guys that we?ve had come in. I just try to be there and give them a little bit of advice if I can. We?ve got a great linebacker crew and we?re all like brothers anyway, so they know they can come to anyone of us if they need something.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPARTAN FOOTBALL MEMORY?
A: It would be when we beat Penn State here at Spartan Stadium two seasons ago. We started that season on a roll and then lost a few. We just wanted to prove we were a top team and send the seniors off with a victory. It was a great game and a lot of fun to be able to come out and defeat Penn State the way that we did.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLAYERS TO CURRENTLY WATCH IN THE PROS?
A: Honestly, I have a hard time watching the pros. Zach Thomas of the Miami Dolphins I enjoy watching because he gives 100 percent effort every down he?s out there. My problem is that I analyze what?s going on too much and can?t just sit down and enjoy a game.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ATHLETES SHOULD BE LOOKED AT AS FAR AS BEING CONSIDERED ROLE MODELS FOR CHILDREN?
A: To me it isn?t even a question. When you come to a big university such as Michigan State as an athlete there comes certain responsibilities. To me that is an honor. Not everybody gets the opportunity that I?ve been given. Whenever I?m in public I want to represent Michigan State and Spartan football in the best possible way. I want people to know that my character is just as strong off the field as it is on it.
By Mo Gerhardt, MSU Sports Information Student Assistant
