Feb. 26, 2004
Freshmen Bobby Rasmussen and Kevin McQuaid grew up together in Colorado and are now playing side by side on the men's tennis team at Santa Clara. The two recently took the time to discuss life on the Mission Campus and their love of tennis. Read on to also learn about Kevin's pizza and French-fries diet.
Q. How do you guys know each other?
Bobby: We basically grew up together in Colorado and we played a lot of tournaments when we were young. So, we knew each other through the 12U and 14U tennis in Denver.
Q. Did you play on the same team or against each other?
Kevin: There wasn't really a team, it was all just individual. We played against each other in junior tennis.
Bobby: We played against each other in a lot of the tournaments.
Q. Did you guys both plan on coming to SCU or was it just a coincidence?
Bobby: I would say it was kind of a coincidence because I remember when I was looking here I heard that Kevin was coming and I thought that was pretty great. But we certainly didn't plan on coming here together, but once we heard about it, it was great news.
Q. Are you guys roommates?
Bobby: We live two doors down from each other, so almost. It was coincidence too.
Kevin: We didn't even room together when we came for our freshmen orientation.
Q. How is life in the dorms?
Bobby: We both live in Dunne.
Kevin: I don't know, I think I would rather live somewhere else rather than Dunne just because of the rules and stuff like that.
Q. Bobby, tell me something about Kevin that nobody knows.
Bobby: He eats the same lunch and dinner every day. It consists of pepperoni pizza and a medium French fry.
Q. Are you just a picky eater?
Kevin: Yeah, pretty much. I think that is the only thing good in Benson, pizza and French fries.
Q. Kevin, tell me something about Bobby that nobody knows.
Kevin: When we were 12-years-old he was just the happiest kid because we used to trade baseball and basketball cards and he got the Sean Kemp rookie card that I had that he wanted so badly. When we finally made the deal he was just so happy.
Q. What got you interested in tennis?
Bobby: I think my parents introduced it to me at an early age.
Kevin: Ever since I could walk I had a racket in my hand from my dad and just watching him play got me into it. So, ever since I could walk I've been playing.
Q. Have you noticed a difference in collegiate play as compared to high school so far?
Kevin: It's a lot louder.
Bobby: The crowds are wild. They say whatever they want to you; they're hecklers. It is definitely a step up from high school. I remember playing high school and the kids were terrible.
Kevin: No team is bad.
Bobby: All the teams that play are good. There is never an easy win.
 Freshman Kevin McQuaid hopes to help the Broncos to the WCC Tournament.  |
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Q. What are your personal or team goals to accomplish this season?
Kevin: Win WCCs.
Bobby: Make it to the tournament.
Kevin: A personal goal is just to help out the team the best I can.
Bobby: To play the role that our coach wants us to.
Q. Do you have any pre-match rituals?
Kevin: Pizza and French fries.
Bobby: I like to listen to Tom Petty's, "I Won't Back Down."
Q. Who has been the most influential person in your life?
Kevin: My dad because he has taught me everything. He's taught me all about sports and that is what I love.
Bobby: My parents because they're the one's that have supported me through all my years playing tennis. They gave me motivation and helped me to continue.
Q. What is something you are really looking forward to this spring?
Kevin: Going to Arizona State. We play Arizona State and then for our spring break we are staying a couple of days after.
Bobby: Jungle.
 Kevin, age 12, and Bobby, 11, together in Oklahoma City for the USTA 12s Zonal Championships. |
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Bobby: Rounders with Matt Damon and Edward Norton.
Kevin: Men of Honor.
Q. If you could have your mom cook you one meal, what would it be?
Kevin: We order a pizza from Papa John's every single day. We don't even need to call, they just come. Everyday. We have a tab that they just add to. If I got a meal cooked I'd probably just get pasta and salad.
Bobby: Prime rib with baked or mashed potatoes. You can't touch that.
Q. Where is one place you would love to travel?
Bobby: I'd say Australia. I've been to Europe plenty of times and I've been to most exotic places, so Australia.
Kevin: Probably Tahiti because it is laid back and chill.
Q. Do you guys have any nicknames on the team?
Kevin: His is B-Ras.
Bobby: His nickname is Twiggy.
Q. Any particular reason you have those nicknames?
Kevin: I just made up B-Ras when we were playing one day.
Bobby: Look at him, he is twiggy.
Q. Anything else you would like to add?
Bobby: We have an exciting team this year. Even though our start hasn't been the best, if we get some fans out there to watch us that would be great. We'll provide some entertainment. It's going to be a fun year.
Kevin: I agree.