Q & A With Kelly Schneider

Sept. 11, 2003

Q. How has your freshman year experience early on been so far? What was pre-season like for you?

A. So far, my freshman year has been amazing! I never thought that I was capable of starting my freshman year, but I am excited to know that my hard work during the summer paid off. The first few days of pre-season I was intimidated by the older players because of their talent and experience playing college soccer. It was also very physically demanding, but the team pushed each other and we got through it!

Q. Why did you choose Clemson when you were looking at colleges to attend?

A. Well, considering I have been a huge Clemson fan since I was about 6…it wasn’t a hard decision! Both of my parents went to Clemson and my brother is a senior here this year. Clemson has always felt like home to me, so I knew it would be easy to adjust to.

Q. What is the biggest difference between high school and college soccer?

A. The speed of play. That was the hardest thing to adjust to during pre-season. The first few times someone passed me the ball I got tackled and lost it because I took way too much time. Also, because the speed of play is so much faster, you also have to make faster runs which means you are ALWAYS running! My fitness level has definitely improved since I came to college.

Q. Who is the most influential person in your life and why?

A. I don’t have one person in particular, but my entire family is my inspiration. My parents (mom, dad, and step-mom!) and my brother have been supportive throughout my life. They pushed me to be successful in soccer without putting too much pressure on me. So many of my friends felt pressured by their parents to become something they weren’t capable of being or do something they didn’t want to do, but my family has been great! I don’t think I would be playing soccer at Clemson, or even be attending Clemson as a student if it weren’t for their support.

Q. If you could have dinner with any one person past or present, who would it be and why?

A. I would have to say Brad Pitt…even though I don’t think that I would be able to take my eyes off of him long enough to eat!

Q. Describe the feeling you had starting your first career game vs arch rival South Carolina, in front of a record crowd of 4,120 people?

A. My adrenaline was pumping through the roof! I don’t think that I even stopped for a second to realize that I was tired or out of breath because I was too excited. I have always dreamed of playing on Riggs Field and how amazing it would feel, but actually experiencing it…wow!

Q. How were you feeling after scoring your first career goal in OT to give the Lady Tigers a 1-0 win?

A. I don’t think that I can even put that feeling into words! Everyone worked so hard that game and I just wanted to give everything I had to help us win. When it happened I was ecstatic! I’m glad that we had a celebration planned out before the game incase we did score because I probably would have gone crazy and embarrassed myself!

Q. Do you have any pre-game rituals that you might do before and if so why?

A. Not yet…but I’m working on it. A few of the freshmen came up with this little dance, but that never really went anywhere. I do have one superstition though, I have to jog all the way to the sideline during our warm-up jog and touch it.

Q. How have classes been so far for the first couple of weeks of school? Big difference from high school?

A. I have an 8:00 a.m. class every single day…so that is sort of rough! I do like my classes so far though. They are definitely tougher than high school classes because you don’t get easy class-work grades. Everything depends on how you do on your tests.

Q. How far do you see this team going this year?

A. All the way! Since I’m just a freshman, I don’t really know the background of other teams besides the ones we have played, but I do know that we are a very talented team that has the potential to do great things! We have great leadership from our captains and the dedication and determination of the team at each practice and game is amazing!

Q. What do you like the most about being a member of the Lady Tiger Soccer Program?

A. I love everything about being a member of this team, but if I had to pick one thing it would be the friendships I have made. I’m still getting to know some of the people on the team, but I feel so close to everyone. I like knowing that if I ever have a problem or question that anyone on this team would be right there to help me out. The team chemistry is great because everyone respects other people’s interests.

Word Association

What is the first thought that comes to your mind when you see the word? Ready…..

Reality TV – Newlyweds…Nick and Jessica Simpson…makes me laugh!

Solid Orange – PRIDE! “It’s all about pride!”

Historic Riggs Field – The feeling I get when I step onto the field to represent Clemson…the tiger paw over my heart on our jerseys…HOME!

Roommates – Amanda dancing when she thinks no one is watching…Britten probably wants a new roomie because my alarm clock goes off at 6:30 every morning and I ask to use her car…and Courtney…WHERE IS COURTNEY?