Name: Jeff Curtin

Sport: Men’s soccer

Position: Defense

Hometown: Oreland, Pa.

High School: Germantown Academy

School/Year: MSB ’06

Major: Management

High School Highlights: 2002: League MVP . 1998-2002: First team all-Inter-Ac league and all-area . 2001-02: U.S. National Team player pool.

Georgetown Highlights: 2005: Team co-captain . 2002: Big East Rookie of the Year

When did you first start playing soccer? When I was five years old. I played every sport growing up. It was the one my brother played [Jim, who plays for the Chicago Fire of the MLS], and he was pretty good, so I got into that.

When did you know that you wanted to play soccer competitively in college? I was a pretty good player growing up, and in high school I was playing at the highest level I possibly could on the national team, so I figured it was the sport for me.

Who is your biggest rival? I don’t have a personal rival. I play pretty much everyone the same. As a team I say Notre Dame, we played a few pretty good games with them last year. I hope this year we can beat them at home

What was the best moment in your career so far? I think playing the Big East semi-finals my freshmen year and last year, winning the quarterfinal game, going into penalty kicks. It was a fun game at Notre Dame. The thrill of getting to that Big East game is great.

What is a typical soccer practice like? Well if it’s the preseason, it is getting into shape and stuff. As we get closer to the season, we prepare for individual games. There are scouting reports, and the basic soccer drills that we do.

Who on the team do you rely on the most? Probably Tim Conway [COL ’07] because he also plays defense. He plays right next to me. Whatever I can’t get, he’s right there, and vice-versa. We work pretty good together.

If you could change one thing about soccer what would it be? I don’t think I’d change anything. I think it is a great game. It is kind of like a chess match when you get down to scouting reports on teams and things like that. I don’t like the rule changes they have been making in all those other sports. Soccer has been pretty standard for the last 100 years.

Do you have any superstitions? No. I am not really superstitious. I am not into all that stuff.

What do you have in your soccer bag? I pretty much just have all my equipment. Nothing is too embarrassing. A few shorts issued are too small, but that is about it.

Do you have any regrets about playing soccer? Regrets? No, soccer has been great for me. It has given me a lot of opportunities. I have traveled all over the world and it has gotten me into good high schools and colleges.

If you could be great at any other sport or event besides soccer, what would it be? Probably golf, because you make a ton of money. You work hard but you get to travel all over the world.

Anything you want to do before you graduate? Hopefully win a Big East championship. That is what we strive for every year.

Your most embarrassing moment? I think the most embarrassing thing as a defender is when you score on your own goal. It doesn’t happen very much but it isn’t a great feeling. All defenders have done it. You just have to shake it off. It happens more than you think.

Who in your life inspires you the most? I would say my brother. He really got me involved in sports and taught me everything I know, pretty much. I just followed in his footsteps.

What do you consider to be your biggest fear? Getting injured. Every time you get on the field, you can easily get injured and not be able to play forever, or awhile.

What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends? Our team is pretty close, I enjoy hanging out with them. We have a good group of guys – a lot of fun, a lot of characters.

What one word people use to describe you? Laid back.

Favorite Georgetown restaurant? I like Papa Razzi. I just like Italian food; any dish is good by me.

What is your dream job? I’d love to play professionally; that is what I am trying to do now. I am working hard toward it.

Favorite TV show? “SportsCenter.”

Favorite movie? Hoosiers. I love basketball. I grew up playing basketball. It is the best sports movie there is.

Least favorite movie? The Terminal. I recently saw it and it was terrible.

Freshman dorm? New South. It was right before they renovated so it was probably at its worst. It was pretty disgusting. We couldn’t really go out too much during the season. So we’d wake up in the morning and someone would have thrown up in the hallway. I lived on the first floor and people say it is the wildest. It kept me up many nights.

If you could be anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? At home. I like being with my family and all my friends I grew up around. I enjoy the company.

Any advice for anyone who wants to join soccer? First I hope they are good. Secondly, get ready to work real hard. It is a lot of time. Manage your time well.

What do you plan to do for spring break? Hopefully I am not on spring break because that would mean I am on a professional team. It would be great if I were not on spring break.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully, still playing. If not, I don’t know.

Booey’s or Wisey’s? I live on T Street, so that is a hike for me. If I have to go, I have to choose Wisey’s; it’s about three blocks closer.