April 13, 2004
Amanda Burke, an all-conference and all-region midfielder on the nationally-ranked Texas A&M soccer team, will spend some time visiting this spring with fellow student-athletes in a regular feature here on AggieAthletics.com. Amanda sat down this week with Chris Yoder, a redshirt freshman offensive lineman from Houston.
You didn't take the normal route when it came to choosing schools. How'd you end up at A&M?
"I was originally verbally committed to LSU. Coach Fran recruited me at Alabama, and he offered me and all that kind of stuff. I didn't want to go there. Alabama wasn't the school for me. But I like Coach Fran, and I like his coaching style. When he changed over to Texas A&M, he started recruiting me again, and it was all over with after that."
Did you grow up as an Aggie?
"I grew up as an Aggie fan more than a UT fan. You know being in Texas you're either UT or A&M, and I was definitely an A&M fan. I went to two games--not a lot. My parents both went to Iowa State, so they're both Iowa State fans. But I was definitely an Aggie fan."
Did you attend any bonfires or yell practices?
"I went to a couple yell practices, but I've never been to a bonfire."
How long did you live in Louisiana after you were born?
"I was born in Louisiana. I lived there for about seven years. I lived in New Orleans for about seven years. So, I basically grew up in Texas, but I was born in Louisiana."
Was that one of the reasons you considered going to LSU?
"Yeah, that's one of the reasons. I mean, growing up in Louisiana you're a Saints fan. And college teams, LSU was the only one to follow."
In high school, what events did you do to letter in track and field?
"I threw shot put and discus. Those are kind of the only ones I could do. I'm not a sprinter, and not a distance runner either (laughing)!"
In football, which position do you prefer playing--center or guard?
"It doesn't matter to me. I'll play wherever I get a chance to play. Right now I'm basically playing center because that's where they're making me play. I'll play either. Just wherever I get a chance to play."
How do you think you will benefit from redshirting last year?
"Well, it will definitely benefit me having an extra year both athletically and academically. I don't think I was ready last year physically and mentally, so it will definitely benefit me having that fifth year."
Have you decided what you want to major in?
"Right now I'm in General Studies. I'm trying like hell to get into the business school. I'm doing pretty well, so we'll see."
What kinds of things do you guys focus on in the spring season?
"Well, mainly just ourselves. Getting the plays down, getting kind of personality groupings, and things like that. Also, a lot of technique stuff and things like that. It's kind of hard to focus on [technique] in the fall when we're focusing on our opponents. So in the spring there's more time for ourselves technique-wise, and plays."
Are you looking forward to any game in particular next fall?
"No. I'm not. I just love playing games in Kyle field and just being out there. All of them are great. All of them are fun. I just want to be out there on the field."
If you could change anything about the game of football, what would you change?
"All the time that's put into it. I mean, it's a necessary thing, but I wish I had more time to do other things-just relax and school stuff."
Well, in that little bit of free time that you do get, what do you like to do?
"Sleep! I mean, at night I've got to get my studying done, but during the day if I find 30 minutes, I'll catch up."