All things considered, David Nadeau has led a pretty charmed football life during his four years at the University of Minnesota Duluth. The White Bear Lake, Minn. native, after all, owns some 15 team placekicking records, a couple of NCAA Division II championship rings, three All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference first team citations (a program first for a kicker) and the distinction of booting a game-winning field goal on the final play of a national title clash (which he did last December in a 20-17 victory over Delta State University).
That being said, Nadeau, who is no slouch in the classroom either (he's maintains a 3.63 cumulative grade point average as a civil engineering major) still has one piece of unfinished business to attend to before he hangs up his kicking shoes -- added a third national championship ring to his collection. That mission starts this Saturday when he and the Bulldogs host Saginaw Valley State University in the first round of the NCAA II playoffs at James S. Malosky Stadium.
HIS FAVORITES
Opponent: I like them all
Opponent Stadium: Lubbers Stadium (Grand Valley State University)
Road Trip: Florence, Ala. (site of the NCAA II championship)
Professional Athlete: Charles Woodson
Professional Team: Green Bay Packers
Pastime: Fishing
College Course: Mechanics of Materials
Prized Possession: My two national championship rings
Book (Author): Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling)
TV Show: Modern Family
Singer/Group: Eric Church
Food: Any candy except Almond Joy
Movie: Kung Fu Panda
Actor/Actress: Rachel McAdams
Restaurant: My Mom's Kitchen
Vacation Spot: My cabin
Video Game: Call of Duty
Web Site: stumbleupon.com
PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Why I Chose UMD: It's a great university on a great lake
First Played Competitive Football: In the 11th grade
Football Strength/Weakness: My leg strength/My consistency
Game Day Ritual: I listen to my IPod
Most Memorable Football Moment: Our NCAA II playoff run in 2010 and winning it all at the end
Pet Peeve: When (teammate) Ben Helmer goes flying off the handle over a very minor situation
Biggest Fear: Heights
My First Job: Construction laborer (14 years old)
Person I'd Most Like to Meet: My dad when he was 20
Why I Wear No. 87: I wanted 14 but it was taken my freshman year, so I multiplied it by three to get 42. I couldn't have that either, so I doubled it to get 84 but that reminded me of Randy Moss. So I added three because it was going to be my third year playing
Best Player I've Ever Played Against: Michael Floyd (now a wide receiver at Notre Dame)
What Most People Don't Know About Me: I can juggle
If I Could Change One Thing About Myself: I'd be more witty
Something I Never Leave Home Without: My IPod
Advice to a Young Athlete: If you work hard it will pay off in one form or another
Sport I'd Like to Try Someday: NASCAR
Influences On My Athletic Career: My family, fiancee, friends and coaches
Post-UMD Plans: Not sure yet
