Bill McGuiness '13
Year: Senior
Hometown: Forty Fort
Position: Midfield
Major: Finance
Q: When did you realize you wanted to play soccer in college?
A: I don’t think this was ever a question that I had to answer. I just assumed it was a given that I was going to play in college. I would go to local college and high school games when I was young and, once I got home, immediately go outside and knock the ball around. I thought it was so cool to compete at that level and it has always been my dream to play at high levels. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to be a college athlete, and I’m just as passionate about playing now, as I was when I was younger.
Q: You scored two goals and three assists in just 10 games last season. What’s the key to being a good offensive player?
A: I think being an offensive player is something you are born with. It is a mindset that is positively reinforced every time you hit the back of the net. Since I was 5, I wanted to create and score goals. I am not sure what makes me difficult to defend, or even if opponents consider me difficult to defend, but from being around the game you see some traits that quality attackers possess. I believe the two characteristics that good offensive players have are creativity and decisiveness. The best offensive players in the world are so difficult to defend because they have an arsenal of ways to beat you. They look beyond the obvious play and do things that are more difficult but will yield greater results. You have to take some risks. The most difficult part of soccer is defending someone running full speed at you whether they have the ball or you are just trying to mark them in the box. Great offensive players do not hesitate and take their chances when they are presented.
Q: What is your most memorable moment as a University of Scranton athlete?
A: The best part about playing a sport in college is the friendships that you make with your teammates. Our team especially is an extremely tight group. We have had our fair share of struggles on the field the past few years, but my teammates have made my experience an unforgettable one. My best on the field moment was scoring the goal to put us 1-0 up against a real strong Dickinson team this year.
Q: We’ve seen some terrible soccer injuries on TV and YouTube. What is your worst soccer-related injury?
A: Entering college I only had one soccer-related injury and that did not keep me out for long. College has been a different story. I have had three significant injuries that have been speed bumps in my career. Two of the injuries were overuse injuries (stress fracture and pulled muscle). The only dramatic injury I have had was a broken ankle during a spring season practice. I did a move and was knocked off balance and my weight came down on my ankle. I heard a pop, but wasn’t in excruciating pain. I got up and tried to run, but couldn’t bear any weight and needed to stop playing.
Q: What is the most challenging course you’ve taken at Scranton?
A: My most challenging course thus far has been business ethics. It was also one of the most rewarding courses. I learned a new way of examining topics and making arguments. The course encouraged the class to be ethical leaders as we prepare to enter the work force.
Q: What is your favorite place on campus?
A: The Alperin Financial Center in Brennan Hall is my favorite place on campus. The room is never overcrowded and it is a great place to do work. The computers have dual monitors making it easier to complete some assignments. Also, there is a Bloomberg terminal that is an incredible resource.
Q: Hobbies other than soccer?
A: I love anything to do with sports. I enjoy reading books, only non-fiction books, and magazines. I do not watch many movies, but I have several television series that I follow. I also enjoy listening to music, I like to follow financial markets, and I like being on or by bodies of water.
Q: Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
A: Allen Iverson. I wore No. 3 for every sport. He was incredible in his prime. Unfortunately, he has character flaws and I no longer have the same admiration for him. Rodger Federrer and Aaron Rodgers are my two favorite athletes now. They both are real classy guys and incredible at what they do.
Q: Facebook or Twitter?
A: Facebook. Have successfully resisted Twitter so far.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: Dumb and Dumber – Comedy; Black Hawk Down – Action; Road to Perdition- Serious
Q: Favorite musician or musical group?
A: I listen to a wide array of music. The only music I normally don’t like is country. I hate to admit it, but if I had to pick just one group or musician I would choose Kanye West. His arrogance is at times unbearable, but he makes some good music.
Q: Your birthday is on Valentine’s Day, right? What’s the best part of having a birthday on February 14? What’s the worst?
A: The best part is that people easily remember it. The worst part is when I was younger I received a lot of candy for my birthday. Lent normally begins shortly after my birthday. I wasn’t going to let candy go to waste so I would eat far too much candy following my birthday.
Q: Tell us one thing only friends and family know about you?
A: Not a big secret, but I am an ultra-competitive person. If you are around me long enough, you will pick up on this and I will probably challenge you to something. Because of my competitiveness, I enjoy fun facts and trivia. I probably like them because answering questions is competitive in nature. You are either correct and win, or wrong and lose.
Q: What is the most challenging course you’ve taken at Scranton?
A: My most challenging course thus far has been business ethics. It was also one of the most rewarding courses. I learned a new way of examining topics and making arguments. The course encouraged the class to be ethical leaders as we prepare to enter the work force.
