Interview with Indiana Midfielder Brad Ring
This week we are happy to bring you an interview with Hoosier Brad Ring. In 2007 Brad was named as a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy and was a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten pick. It was announced yesterday that Brad has once again made the first-team All-Big Ten team.
Ring hasnt found himself in the same kind of attacking role as NCAA seasons past, and has proved he can play the key defensive role in midfield as evident by Indianas shutouts, many of them against ranked opponents. Although Ring has been unable to participate in the last few matches due to injury problems, Indiana finds themselves matched up against Michigan State in the finals of the Big-Ten tournamnet after knocking off Michigan, and Ohio State.
We would like to thank Brad for his time and wish him the best of luck in the torunament, and in the future.
How would you describe this season (individually and as a team)?
This season has been one of up’s and down’s. We have lost a few games that we feel we should have won; but on the other hand, we have one of the toughest schedules in the country and have come away with some good wins. Hopefully we can win a few more games and enter the tournament with some momentum.
How much have you enjoyed being a Hoosier and playing in the Big 10? Was this always your University of choice?
I have loved every minute I have spent as a Hoosier. I am confident in saying that Indiana is the best program in the country and I feel that I have matured greatly since I came to IU over three years ago. The Big 10 is an extremely competitive conference that often gets overlooked. There have been many Big 10 teams who have done well in the NCAA tournament over the years and I expect the same this year. During the early stages of my recruiting process I was unaware about the tradition of IU soccer. After my official visit with the IU coaching staff I knew exactly where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life
You haven¹t tallied yet this season (although you still have 40 shots), and it seems the entire teams goal production is down what would you say is the reason for this? Are the bounces just not going Indiana¹s way this season?
Consistency, offensively and defensively, has been a problem for us so far this year. We have had great offensive games against solid opponents such as UCLA and Notre Dame but then have had several games where we have been shut out. One thing our coaches are preaching is taking half chances and I think that the bounces are going to start to go our way. Individually I do not need to be as involved in the attack as I have been in the past because we have many dangerous attacking players on our team this year. Most of my chances come from 25 yards from goal so I need to concentrate on keeping my shots on frame to give my team a chance to score.
How confident are you going into the big ten tournament? Does Indiana have what it takes to win and make a splash in the NCAA tournament?
We are very confident going into the Big 10 tournament. We realize that the Big 10 is a strong conference top to bottom and that any draw we get will challenge us greatly but the challenge is what’s fun and what we expect. I believe that we have all the tools to make a deep run into the NCAA tournament. We have a good mixture of old and young players and we are a very diverse team who can beat you in different ways. The main component to our success in the tournament will be consistency. We must stay focused for the entire game because there is no room to relax when it comes to tourney time.
Can you describe to us your most memorable play as a Hoosier? (Game winning goal, great pass, etc)
There have been so many great memories in my time here at IU but one sticks out in my mind. It was my freshman year and we were playing at Maryland which is a very hostile environment to play. We were down three goals in the first half but ended up taking it into overtime by scoring three goals in the last 17 minutes; including the game tying goal in a past couple seconds. It was a great game and I believe that it was voted as the game of the year in all of men’s soccer.
Who would you say is the best player you have played against this season? Why?
There are several quality players in the NCAA this year but two players that stick out in my mind are Mike Grella of Duke and Steve Zakuani of Akron.
For people who have never seen you play, can you describe the type of player you are? What are your strengths?
I feel that I am a hard worker who will lay his heart on the line every game.
Being from Illinois, growing up were you a fan of the Chicago Fire? Did you get to watch many MLS games?
Growing up a little over an hour away from the stadium, I was always a Chicago Fire fan but I did not make it to many games.
Do you think about getting drafted into MLS much? Do you have any indication if you will be attending the draft combine?
The only thing that is on my mind is finishing my collegiate career at Indiana. I am excited about the future of my team and I’m excited to see how the rest of the year plays out for us. Individually I feel that if I work hard and stay focused everything will fall into place.
If you could choose a team to play for would it be the Chicago Fire?
I have heard nothing but great things about the Chicago Fire and they have proven that they are one of the top teams in the league year after year. I practiced with them for two days this past summer which was beneficial for me to experience the fast pace of professional soccer. With that being said, it has always been my dream to be a professional soccer player and I would be ecstatic to play for any team.
Who are some of your influences as a soccer player? Is there anyone in particular you try to model your game after?
Coming into Indiana the year after they won back to back national championships, I always heard about how great Danny O’Rourke was in his time at IU. Although I feel were have a different style of play, I have tried to pick up on a few of his best attributes and apply them to my game.
Looking ahead, what are your goals as a soccer player in the next 3 or 4 years?
First and foremost, I am looking forward to and am excited about the rest of this year at Indiana. In the next few years I would like to solidify myself as a starter in the MLS and play a key role in my team’s success.
How did you get into playing soccer as a child? Was it the only sport you played?
I was an active child who had all kinds of energy. From the age of six until the age of fourteen I played soccer, football, baseball, golf and basketball. When I got to high school I decided to concentrate more on soccer and basketball so I stopped competitively playing other sports. When my junior year of high school came around I realized that I had a better future as a soccer player and from that point on I put all of my energy into being the best soccer player I could.
When you are not on the soccer field what are some of the things you most enjoy doing?
When I am not playing soccer I enjoy relaxing with friends and family. Traveling is something that my parents always thought was important, I love trying new things and experiencing new cultures. I also enjoy watching movies.
What would you say is your favorite movie?
Troy