Name: Keith Summa
Sport: Men’s rugby
Position: Scrumhalf/ Flyhalf
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
High School: DeSmet Jesuit High School
School/Year: COL ’07
Major: Biology, English
HS Highlights: 2001: Sixth place at National High School Rugby Championship; 2003: Ninth place at National High School Rugby Championship; 2002-04: Vice Captain. Georgetown Highlights: 2003-06: Capital Cup Champions; 2005: Captain, third place at National Collegiate Rugby Championship, Cherry Blossom Tournament champions.
When did you first start playing rugby? I started playing my freshmen year in high school with a group of friends. We played football together. We liked it, and kept up with it through the rest of high school. Later on in high school, in my junior year, I was practicing with the men’s team in St. Louis over the summer. I met Ben Purcell (NHS ’05), a player that went to Georgetown. So, when I got here, I knew him and it made joining the team easy to do.
What was the best moment in your career so far? When I was a sophomore, that April we went to Santa Cruz for the National Championships. The kick off from the national semi-finals game was my favorite moment. To play at that level at the National Championships was really incredible.
Who on the team do you rely on the most? The thing about rugby is that it’s a team game. You cannot just depend on one or two of the players on the team. That is one thing I like about it. Club president Eric Pallotta (MSB ’07) and I get to coordinate a lot in terms of preparation for games and practice, and the social events as well. Matt Freeman (social chair) and John Castrigano (SFS ’07) – the four of us work together in our house and they help me out a lot with team related things: organizing transportation, making sure we have water and things like that.
Who is your biggest rival? Our biggest rival is Salisbury University. For four years now we have had several really close games. We have beaten them two times, and they have beaten us two times as well. They are always important games. They normally determine who gets to go to Nationals or gets the top seed in the regional union. Our local rival is Catholic. Unfortunately, we lost to them last week, but we will be seeing them again in the spring, and hopefully be able to play a little better next time.
If you could change one thing about rugby what would it be? I would really like our team to play on campus, down on the ulti-Sport Facility. It would be great, because our friends and fans could come and watch us. The places we currently play at are not easily accessible.
Do you have any superstitions? I wear one sock that was passed down to me from a previous player who played my position. It is a white sock. It is different from the other ones. It’s really more of a tradition than a superstition.
If you could be great at any other sport besides rugby, what would it be? Why? I think I would really like to be a great pitcher in baseball. I don’t know why. I think that the spotlight and all that pressure to perform would be exciting. . I have been watching the playoffs a lot lately, so baseball is on my mind.
Who in your life inspires you the most? My father. He is a perfect example because he works hard for both his family and his patients. He is a great role model in terms of his career and being a good person.
What do you do when you are not playing rugby? Usually, I am in Lauinger Library. I am in there quite a bit. Right now, I am applying to medical schools so that is taking up a lot of my time. Besides that, there is great social aspect to the team. I live with four of the guys I play with. I am close with the other guys on the team. I’m lucky to have friends from all four schools and all four classes; we are really a tight group of guys.
What do you consider to be your biggest fear? Probably letting my teammates down. In the position I am at, flyhalf, there is a lot of opportunity for me to make wrong decisions that could have disastrous consequences for the team. I am very competitive so that definitely frightens me.
Favorite movie? “Top Gun.” I just grew up watching it, My Dad was in the navy so there is some family influence, and I used to live in San Diego. We lived right near the base.
Least favorite movie? “Flashdance.” My roommate Matt Freeman (COL ’07) made us watch it last night and I didn’t like it too much.
Favorite TV show? “Arrested Development,” even thought it is now cancelled. We tend to watch it a lot at the house.
Favorite Georgetown restaurant? The Tombs. The atmosphere, it is pretty cheap and it’s good.
What is the one thing you miss the most about home? Probably the home cooking and being able to go to Cardinals games.
Favorite Georgetown professor? Michael Collins, he taught Shakespeare, and I really enjoyed the class. I really got a lot out of it. Also, Joe Neale, he has been really helpful for me in terms figuring out how I am going to pursue a career in medical research.
Freshman Residence Hall? Village C West, third floor. Eric [Pallotta] lived on my floor. He slept walked into someone else’s room, and got into bed with another kid while he was sleeping.
Any advice for anyone who wants to join rugby? Come out and give it a try. Most of our players have never played before. People do not have a lot of exposure to it. I think that it’s a lot of fun if you give it a shot. There is great social aspect to the team, and we are very welcoming to new plays.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully finished with school, and as a doctor somewhere.
Booey’s or Wisey’s? Booey’s. I love the fountain Dr. Pepper.