FALL CAMP Q&A: Chris Manfredini
8/2/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 2, 2007
What's the best part about being a student at TCU?
"It's definitely the atmosphere. Everybody knows everybody and becomes friends. You are also familiar with all parts of the campus. At a smaller school like TCU, you become more diverse because you hang out with everybody."
What's it like playing for Coach (Gary) Patterson?
"You never get anything but the truth with Coach Patterson. He will tell you exactly what's going on and what he wants you to do. If he doesn't like it, he will let you know. I also like his confidence as a coach. He believes we are the best team every year and wants us to prove it. I don't like when coaches just settle for a conference championship. Coach Patterson shoots for No. 1 in the country every year. You need to have realistic goals, but you always want something to make you work even harder."
Camaraderie among the players always seems to be a staple of TCU football. Would you agree?
"Yes, and we're about to form it again. Two-a-days is where the team gets close. In the off-season, we go to each other's houses, barbeque and get to know each other. During two-a-days, you're with your teammates 24 hours a day for three weeks straight and you get to learn a lot about each other, like who they are and where they come from. You begin to grow a lot more respect for each other, and that's what makes our team. We always mesh so well and love each other as a family."
As a senior, do you feel a responsibility to be a leader on the team?
"That's true, and I've learned from all the older players I looked up to in the past when I first came here. You never want to let anyone down on the team. When you become a senior, it's your year and you can control your own destiny for the team. You realize that you have to step up if someone is not doing his job. I just want to show leadership to everybody. It doesn't matter what position you play. Every senior has a responsibility. It's all about guidance and the young guys following the path because they are the future. Like Coach Patterson says, it's not about the ones that are important. It's about who is backing you up, and you need to make everyone stronger on the team."
Is it special to be playing college football close to your home?
"Being so close to home is the best of both worlds. You can go and see your family whenever you want, and they can come and see all your home games. That's one thing that I like, just having them always there for you. It's awesome to be this close to home."
