St. John's University Athletics
Senior Spotlight Q&A With Captain Matt Viscusi
4/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
April 30, 2009
QUEENS, N.Y. - As the men's lacrosse Class of 2009 enters its final week of play for St. John's, senior midfielder Matt Viscusi got together with classmate, fellow captain and road trip roommate Dom DeNapoli to answer some of DeNapoli's questions on his lacrosse career, what the future holds for him and more, to help Red Storm fans get to know Viscusi better.
Teammates for almost four full seasons, this year's crop of seniors are a tight knit group who don't mind sharing some mid-season thoughts with Red Storm lacrosse fans or each other.
The Floral Park, N.Y., native began his career at St. John's as a walk-on. As a rookie walk-on, Viscusi earned the team's "Unsung Hero Award" and student-athlete award. That same year he was featured in a photo spread in U.S. Lacrosse Magazine.
Three years later, the senior has become the backbone of the Red Storm's defensive midfield. With a career total of 27 ground balls, eight caused turnovers and four points (3G, 1A), Viscusi has been the team's most consistent player and has only turned the ball over three times in 35 games.
The two-year captain leads by example with a 3.54 cumulative GPA. He was a member of the 2008 ECAC All-Academic Team, while being an active member of the St. John's Community as a student-orientation leader, a member of the Chi Sigma honor society, and a three-team Dean's List honoree. He's been a part of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society since 2006. Viscusi also participates in community service events both on campus and in his own community of Floral Park, N.Y.
Dom DeNapoli: We room together on every away trip. What is your favorite part about rooming together? What's the worst part?
Matt Viscusi: My favorite part about rooming with you is sharing a room with my best friend. The worst part is not being able to sleep at all. It's hard to sleep when you have someone who snores like a grizzly bear for all hours of the night.
DD: Do you have any superstitions? If so how did they originate?
MV: I have a few superstitions. I wear the same shirt and socks for every game. I have the same routine for every game, and I say a prayer right after the national anthem before the game starts. It's funny because I never had any superstitions before I came to St. Johns. I actually made fun of you because of the things you used to do, but after rooming with you freshman year you transformed me into someone I never thought I would be!
DD: What will you take out of these past four years here?
MV: This was the best four years of my life. I've created great memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
DD: What advice do you have for the underclassmen on our team?
MV: Playing lacrosse at a Division I level is not easy. They should stay focused and strive to be the best. The `Johnnies' are back and are here to stay.
DD: What is your favorite Coach Miller quote?
MV: My favorite Coach Miller quote is from this year when we played up at Siena. You were called for violating some rule at the face-off X, three or four times in a row, and Coach Miller was getting very upset with the officials because they weren't explaining the foul correctly. Finally, after the fourth time, the official came over and explained to coach that his stick was not completely straight and on a 90 degree angle with the face-off X. So Coach Miller yelled, "Sorry ref, I forgot to bring my protractor with me."
DD: Your family has been to almost every game we have played in these past four years, how does that make you feel?
MV: It truly means the world to me. Looking back at it, I have had at least one family member at almost every single game for over the past four years; whether it was my parents, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, my girlfriend (Jenna) and her family, or any other family friend. Words can't express how I feel about the support everyone has given to me over the past four years.
DD: Is it true your mom knows more about lacrosse than you?
MV: It's funny you say that. I actually think she does know more about lacrosse than I do. In fact, I believe she knows more about lacrosse than every single player on our team put together.
DD: What are your future plans after college?
MV: After school, my dream is to become a New York City Firefighter.
DD: You have been captain of this team for two years and a lot of people look up to you, including myself. Who do you look up to and why?
MV: I look up to my parents, all my coaches, and my fellow captains, you and Jamal [Jones] because they have all had an impact on me in unique ways. Whether it was on or off the field, every single one of these people has helped me through something meaningful in my life and I thank them for that.
Watch all the seniors of the Class of 2009 take the field on last time on Sunday, May 3, as St. John's faces No. 3 Duke on DaSilva Memorial Field at 1 p.m.
The seniors will be honored in a special pregame presentation starting at 12:45 p.m.
