Spring Break
Face to Face with Anthony Kokal
Katie Giovinale
Issue date: 9/19/08 Section: Sports
Name: Anthony Kokal
Sport: Football
Hometown: Warren, Ohio
Q: How did you get into football?
Football has always been the "family sport," from my dad and all of his brothers, right down to my two brothers and myself. I grew up completely surrounded by the sport so there was no question that when I was old enough, I would follow suit and play football.
Q: How did you decide to come to Miami?
I had originally verbally committed to Kent State, but I always knew in the back of my mind that Miami was where I truly wanted to be. My brother, Mike, was already on the team so I knew what a great program it was, and when I was lucky enough to get an offer from Miami, I accepted immediately.
Q: What is the best part of being a student-athlete?
The best part about being a student-athlete is having about 100 guys on the team that you can always count on to have your back. It's pretty awkward when you come into college as a freshman, but the transition from high school to Miami was so much easier (since I knew) I already had so many friends due to athletics.
Q: What is the biggest challenge of being a student-athlete?
The biggest challenge of being a student-athlete is easily time
management. The typical day during a season is jam packed from as early as 6:30 a.m. to as late as 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. When you're finally done, all you want to do is go to bed, but that's just about the only time for schoolwork. Being a student athlete isn't good for your social life, but that's the price you have to pay.
Q: Are you close with a lot of players on the team?
I'm extremely close with the guys on the team. We go through some really grueling times on the field together, and it really makes us a tight group. There's a great sense of camaraderie on the team that you can't find anywhere else.
Q: What are your hobbies?
When I get a chance to get away from football, one of my favorite things to do is sneak a game of Halo in on XBOX or just relax and watch a good movie. If the weather is right, I also like to get on the golf course at Hueston Woods with some of my buddies.
Q: Where is your favorite place to eat on/off campus?
Any of my friends will say that I'm sort of a fiend for a Great Steak (and Potato Company) sandwich, but if I'm on campus I always try to go to Belltower or Panache on occasion-you just can't beat a steak.
Q: What is your major and your plans after graduating?
I'm majoring in finance and I plan to start a freight business with my older brother when I graduate. I guess you could say it's the family business.
Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?
My favorite vacation spot is definitely Stone Harbor, N.J. It's a great time and a really classy town. It's pretty much the type of place (where) you meet your wife.
Q: What is the best birthday present you've ever received?
A 4-wheeler in sixth grade. None of my friends had ever had one or even ridden one and I was pretty much the coolest kid on the block.
Sport: Football
Hometown: Warren, Ohio
Q: How did you get into football?
Football has always been the "family sport," from my dad and all of his brothers, right down to my two brothers and myself. I grew up completely surrounded by the sport so there was no question that when I was old enough, I would follow suit and play football.
Q: How did you decide to come to Miami?
I had originally verbally committed to Kent State, but I always knew in the back of my mind that Miami was where I truly wanted to be. My brother, Mike, was already on the team so I knew what a great program it was, and when I was lucky enough to get an offer from Miami, I accepted immediately.
Q: What is the best part of being a student-athlete?
The best part about being a student-athlete is having about 100 guys on the team that you can always count on to have your back. It's pretty awkward when you come into college as a freshman, but the transition from high school to Miami was so much easier (since I knew) I already had so many friends due to athletics.
Q: What is the biggest challenge of being a student-athlete?
The biggest challenge of being a student-athlete is easily time
management. The typical day during a season is jam packed from as early as 6:30 a.m. to as late as 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. When you're finally done, all you want to do is go to bed, but that's just about the only time for schoolwork. Being a student athlete isn't good for your social life, but that's the price you have to pay.
Q: Are you close with a lot of players on the team?
I'm extremely close with the guys on the team. We go through some really grueling times on the field together, and it really makes us a tight group. There's a great sense of camaraderie on the team that you can't find anywhere else.
Q: What are your hobbies?
When I get a chance to get away from football, one of my favorite things to do is sneak a game of Halo in on XBOX or just relax and watch a good movie. If the weather is right, I also like to get on the golf course at Hueston Woods with some of my buddies.
Q: Where is your favorite place to eat on/off campus?
Any of my friends will say that I'm sort of a fiend for a Great Steak (and Potato Company) sandwich, but if I'm on campus I always try to go to Belltower or Panache on occasion-you just can't beat a steak.
Q: What is your major and your plans after graduating?
I'm majoring in finance and I plan to start a freight business with my older brother when I graduate. I guess you could say it's the family business.
Q: What is your favorite vacation spot?
My favorite vacation spot is definitely Stone Harbor, N.J. It's a great time and a really classy town. It's pretty much the type of place (where) you meet your wife.
Q: What is the best birthday present you've ever received?
A 4-wheeler in sixth grade. None of my friends had ever had one or even ridden one and I was pretty much the coolest kid on the block.
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