July 11, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Under head coach George O'Leary, the UCF football team has not only excelled on the field, but also in the classroom. Four Knights on the 2008 roster have already received their undergraduate degrees, including senior safety Sha'reff Rashad. The UCF athletics communications staff recently spent some time with Rashad to talk about his senior campaign and his activities over the summer after receiving his degree.
What is the importance of being a senior and how does it differ from your role on the team in previous years?
"I would say that I had some sort of leadership role last year. It is definitely more this year for me as well as the guys that I came in with (in 2004). [We] just make sure everything is going right. For the most part, guys are doing a good job of staying on top of things and working hard. It is just a little bit of your responsibility to make sure that everything is going smoothly and to make sure that guys are not getting out of line. We are doing our best to make sure everything is going to go smoothly over the summer."
This is your final year with the Knights. Is there a sense of urgency?
"Definitely. I think one thing that helps you realize that it is your last year is how fast the rest of the year is going. You remember pretty much everything that goes on for the first couple of years and just how much fun you had. You just know that this is going to be your last go and you definitely make sure that you are more urgent this year. It is your last go around."
You have already received your undergraduate degree. What kind of courses are you currently taking?
"I actually started grad school. I took one class over the first half of the summer and I am taking another graduate level course right now. They require a little more work, but it really it is not that bad. They are more intellectual classes that require a little more thinking. Right now, I am taking human rights and criminal justice courses. There is just a lot of discussions and a lot more talking in class... putting your ideas out there and actually going home and doing homework. I like it. It is pretty interesting. I am mastering in the criminal justice program."
How much more free time do you have in the summer compared to the fall and spring semester?
"During the summer, you definitely have a lot more free time. As far as workouts go, there are different times that you can work out in the week. Usually, you are only taking one class the entire summer. I would say that most of the day is free time and you just have to learn how to manage your time wisely. The coaches want us to come in as much as you can to watch film and stuff like that. They definitely want us to have our free time, it is just that they want to make sure that we are staying here and getting our work done."
Is there is anything that you cannot do during the year - like watching movies, playing video games, or reading - that you are getting caught up on over the summer?
"We are enjoying the free time during this part of year because once the season starts, it is all business. Most of our time will be taken up with football, whether it is on your own or with the team. It is definitely nice to have some time to play some video games over the summer. I have been playing X-Box ever since I came here. It is surprising how much that I can play. Currently, I have been playing around five hours a day. I play FIFA 08."
Since you play soccer video games, do you also follow the sport on television?
"Soccer is the sport that I watch the most. I watched a lot of the Euro Championship. I even said that Spain was going to win it from the beginning. My favorite player is Xavi and he scored one of the biggest goals in the tournament."
Have you had a chance to go home to Jacksonville over the summer?
"I have gone home for a couple of weekends. It is usually the best time to go back on the weekends. I am just starting to see my little brother start high school football right now. I get to practice with him a little bit and spend some time with my family when I can."
Rashad and the Knights are slated to open the 2008 campaign on Aug. 30, hosting South Carolina State. UCF will play six home contests at Bright House Networks Stadium.
Season tickets are currently available. To order season tickets, or to learn more about attending games at Bright House Networks Stadium, call 407-UCF-1000.
For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel, log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also visit www.ucfphotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.