The Full-Court Press: Brian Rogers '13

With the men’s soccer team opening its Ancient Eight season at home on Saturday against Yale, the Back Page gives you an opportunity to meet the team’s scoring leader and reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Year, sophomore forward Brian Rogers. In this exclusive interview, Rogers reveals his love for peanut butter, his desire to be an extinct carnivore, and desired bromance with a Real Madrid star. Every week, The Full-Court Press will give you the sort of personal scoop that you’re not likely to hear at a typical press conference.

Name: Brian Rogers

Year: 2013

Stats: Last year, Rogers played in all 19 games, starting 15. He ranked fifth in the Ancient Eight with18 points and six goals, good enough for Ivy Rookie of the Year and All-Ivy Second Team honors. This year, through seven games, Rogers already has three goals including a game-winning goal in the 80th minute against Stanford in the season opener.

Now, to the questions!

1. Typical pre-game meal.

Grilled Chicken, whole wheat pasta, salad, and a banana peanut butter sandwich. I’ve been known to kill an entire jar of peanut butter on my sandwich, which doesn’t make me too popular in the Eliot House dhall.

2. Songs you listen to before games to get pumped up.

I like to listen to a lot of house music, it gets me in that Euro vibe I need to play. But on the way out to the field for every game I listen, sing out loud, and dance to “Paranoid” by Kanye West with Baba Omosegbon.

3. Favorite team to play against and why.

I don’t really have a favorite team to play against.

4. Most ridiculous thing that has taken place in your team's locker room.

Can’t say, it could jeopardize my future political career.

5. Most embarrassing moment you've had on the field.

Hitting the cross bar against Dartmouth when I had an open net and was inside the six. Luckily we still won the game, but my teammates didn’t let me forget about that miss.

6. Animal that best represents your style of play and why.

I would normally say a cheetah or something, but I’ve always wanted to be a dinosaur ever since I saw Jurassic Park when I was four, so, I’m going to say a T-Rex.

7. The most ridiculous thing you've heard a fan yell at a game you were playing in.

It’s hard to hear anything over Richard Smith’s yelling from center back. All I hear during the game is Richard, aka Dickie Smithers, screaming “GET STUCK IN”.

8. If you could play for another sports team at Harvard, which would it be and why?

Quidditch. Our assistant coach showed us a video about them done by The Crimson before a game to get us pumped up. They’re the hardest working team on campus.

9. Position you'd play in Quidditch.

Seeker, or at least that’s what I’ve been told.

10. If you could go on a date with any professional athlete, who would it be?

Probably a heterosexual bro date with Cristiano Ronaldo. Dude is a beast, and I’m dying to find out his ab routine.