March 22, 2007
NIU third baseman Jesse Seykora in one of four team captains this season. The Owatonna, Minn., native earned the MAC West Player of the Week and was recognized on the College Baseball Foundation Honor Roll after hitting .500 and slugging 1.031 while collected five home runs, 15 RBI and 17 runs scored during the Huskies' eight-game spring break trip to Florida. Seykora is in his second season at NIU after transferring from North Iowa Area C.C. prior to the 2006 campaign.
Favorite thing about NIU baseball is ...
My teammates, definitely. We have a fun group this year.
Favorite Major League team ...
The Twinkies (Minnesota Twins).
Baseball hero growing up ...
Cal Ripken Jr. I was a shortstop until my senior year in high school.
The song I most listen to is ...
One by Metallica.
My pre-game ritual is ...
I wear white tape on my wrists for no real reason. On the night before I game, I drink green tea. I started on a road trip and did well, so it stuck.
My baseball superstitions are ...
I try not to be too superstitious but I never touch the lines or the dirt on the baseline. I always hop over.
I am the video game champion of ...
Killzone and any hockey game. No one has ever beaten me at a wrestling game, either.
Favorite baseball experience ...
Beating Texas Tech this season. We beat a well-known and highly-regarded opponent. I had the winning hit for us in the ninth inning, so that made it even more special.
Favorite road trip while playing at NIU ...
This year's trip to Florida. The weather was awesome. Just being able to play in 80 degrees and sunshine for a week was a lot of fun.
Funniest baseball moment ...
Anything with Brett Kellam. For example, earlier this year at Texas Tech when he hit his home run he looked into their dugout and screamed.
Favorite old-time baseball player ...
Historically speaking it would be Mickey Mantle. More recently it was Kirby Puckett.
Favorite baseball movie ...
61.
Favorite class at NIU ...
Introduction to film and theatre. You go and watch movies. I have the class with Mark Badgley, so that makes it even better.
Best baseball prank ...
Guys on our summer league team would take fishing line and as the starting lineup stood in front of the dugout, they would tie the guys' batting gloves to the pole in the dugout. When they ran onto the field, their gloves came out of their pockets they had to come back and get them. It was tough to pull off and only worked once.
One word that describes me on the field ...
Passionate.
One word the describes me off the field ...
Dedicated.
Favorite sport other than baseball ...
Hockey. I played basketball in high school though and regret it. That was the worst decision ever.
Hobbies ...
I like to do a lot of fishing in the summer. I also enjoy drawing and painting. There's not much time away from baseball though.
Words to live by ...
Go big or go home. That's what my roommates and I say. We call ourselves "The Goodfellas." It's a prestigious group of Brett Kellam, Daniel Jewett, Danny Reed and myself.
