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BULLDOG SPOTLIGHT: CAMERON HARPER

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Cameron Harper

Cameron Harper has been involved in a boatload of big plays during his three-plus seasons of roaming the University of Minnesota-Duluth secondary, but none perhaps was more memorable than the one he made in December 2010 against Northwest Missouri State University in the NCAA II playoff semifinals. Harper, then a first-year starting free safety, helped seal UMD's 17-14 triumph over the the defending NCAA II champion Bearcats with a clutch interception late in the fourth quarter. That was one of Harper's team-leading five thefts on the year and one week later, he and his Bulldog mates walked out of Florence, Ala., with a national title in hand.

Fast forward to 2012 and Harper, now a senior  team captain, is still at it, wreaking his share of havoc on opposing defenses. The 6-2, 210-pound native of Blaine, Minn., comes into this Saturday night's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference clash at Concordia University-St. Paul ranking 14th all-time among Bulldogs in tackles with 220 (including 14 stops this fall) and is one of just three UMD players who has appeared in all 44 games since the start of the 2009 season.

HIS FAVORITES
Opponent:  St. Cloud State
Opponent Stadium: Verizon Wireless Stadium (Winona State)
Road Trip: Florence, Ala.
Professional Athlete: LeBron James
Professional Team: Minnesota Vikings
Pastime: Sleeping (something you take for granted until you're a college athlete)
College Course: Jazz Studies (with Billy Barnard)
Prized Possession: My two (hopefully soon-to- be three) national championship rings
Book (Author): Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling)
TV Show: The Wire
Singer or Group: Drake and Michael Jackson
Food: It changes daily
Movie: Remember the Titans
Actor or Actress: Denzel Washington
Restaurant: Red Lobster
Vacation Spot: Mexico
Video Game: Madden
Web Site: umdbulldogs.com

PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Why I Chose UMD: It was the perfect distance from home (two hours), in a beautiful city and I liked the coaching staff.
First Played Competitive Football: Second grade
Football Strength/Weakness: My intelligence/My speed
Game Day Ritual: I listen to the same playlist and get dressed the same way
Most Memorable Football Moment: Beating Delta State for the 2010 NCAA II championship
Pet Peeve: When people walk on the street instead of the sidewalk
Biggest Fear: Failurre
My First Job: With a moving company (age 19)
Person I'd Most Like to Meet: Walter White from Breaking Bad
Why I Wear No. 27:  It was the number I was assigned by (asst. coach) Peter Lue when I got here.
Best Player You’ve Ever Played Against: L.J. Castile (Delta State University wide receiver)What Most People Don't Know About Me: My dad was born in Jamaica, but I have not yet had the opportunity to travel there.
If I Could Change One Thing About Myself: I'd be more patient with people
Something I Never Leave Home Without: My phone
Advice to a Young Athlete: If it was easy, everyone would do it. Games are won and lost in your preparation.
Sport I'd Like to Try Someday: Ice hockey
Influences On My Athletic Career: I didn't know what hard work was until I met my high school head coach, Jeff Schlieff. I watched my current defensive backs coach, Tyler Yelk, a lot during my freshman year when he was a senior captain and learned most of what I know not only about being a safety, but also a leader from him.
The Best Thing About College Football: The lifelong relationships you build with your teammates and coaches.
Post-UMD Plans: Get a degree in both accounting and finance, enter the business world,see where it takes me, and live a happy life.

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