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Interview with Mark Breier - Redstar Player of the Game (Malstrom
4/24/05)
HeinekenLacrosse.com:
Mark, congratulations on being named the Redstar
Player of the Game in your victory over Malstrom.
For various reasons you guys only had 12 players
today, and no offensive subs. Your opponent
had at least 30 guys. Were you worried when
the game started that they would use their numbers
to run you guys into the ground? Did their pre-game
line drills intimidate you?
Mark Breier:
12 young men with nerves
of steel went out and fought for what they believed
in today. Beer. We willingly strapped on our
gear and performed our duties at both ends of
the field. It was a total group effort. Yes,
we were out numbered, but each of us have been
training day and night to get ourselves into
playoff shape early in the season and that dedication
and hard work paid off on this chilly spring
afternoon. Our mental preparedness overshadowed
their attempt to intimidate us w/ right-to-right
and EVEN left-to-left passes during their pre-game
rituals. I'd like to thank Kelly from the Deli
Dept, Heineken and god for giving me the chance
to succeed. You see, The Breier is just 1 man
and victory would not have come without the
combination of excellent coaching and the courage
of 12 soldiers who are proud to bleed green
and white.
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Mark Breier (pictured here casually
enjoying a Dropkick Murphys show in Boston)
enjoys having a good time on and off the field.
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HeinekenLacrosse.com: There’s
been some controversy about your weight coming into
this season. Some in the media suggested that you
might be a bit heavy and hadn't stuck to your offseason-conditioning
program. Clearly you moved well out there today. Is
this a non-issue and have you silenced your critics?
Mark Breier: I'm
glad that you brought up this issue. The only controversy
was the one created by you, the media. I have been
continuously slammed over the past few seasons due
to my choice to bulk up to become a more powerful
defenseman. Some members of the press have tried to
link me to the BALCO investigations as well as the
infamous Little Debbie Scandal of 2003. I think that
these rumors were more than resolved this afternoon.
I have been asked by the coaching staff to become
more sleek and aerodynamic for the playoffs. I will
be following a stringent nutritional regiment containing
a combination of both eating and drinking. I guess
the coaches foresee less physical match-ups and more
endurance play during late May and early June.
HeinekenLacrosse.com: A lot of guys
have pre game rituals. What’s a typical morning
for you leading up to game time? And what’s
your favorite pre game meal?
Mark Breier: My
Pregame ritual: Lay on the couch and drink several
Gatorades and watch TV. Leading up to a game: I usually
wake up in a haze the day of the game. I get so excited,
that most of the time that I can't even remember what
I did the night before. The tingling in my stomach
must be nerves. From there, I must focus on the task
ahead and that is to win and be at Portside by 4:30
that afternoon. Pregame meal: Bacon egg cheese sandwiches
or leftover pizza. Postgame meal: Buffalo Chicken
Wings w/ extra Bleu Cheese and Heineken's of course!
HeinekenLacrosse.com: Are their
any new checks you’re working on to add to your
repertoire? We haven’t seen The Hurricane this
season, have you retired that check?
Mark Breier: As
I'm becoming a more humble and seasoned veteran, I
tend to rely on the old go-to's as much as possible.
The norms such as the poke, slap, the lumber jack
and the knee capper. I practice pokechecks on passers-by
during my lunch break and numerous snack breaks during
the day. I once knocked 34 consecutive coffees out
of hands one morning while walking to work. I wear
my helmet and full gear for safety's sake.
Ahhh, The Hurricane the Rusty
Gate's perverted yet wiley uncle. It is a special
check that can only be used under parental supervision
and should not be tried at home without the proper
equipment. You might recall The Hurricane in a game
vs. Crease Monkeys in 2004. During the final minute
(in the corner behind Martino) a storm brewed up and
struck down on man to give our team one more chance
at tying the game up. That check will never be retired,
but it will only be used if the situation calls for
it.
HeinekenLacrosse.com: Some have
called you the “Mayor of Canton”, clearly
you have an active social life and like to go out
and have a good time. Some athletes have trouble balancing
their life on and off the field. Is your social life
ever a distraction to your game?
Mark Breier: People
don't say that about me...as far as I know [smiling
politely reflecting upon the 'Mayor of Canton ' comment].
I do believe that some athletes do have trouble balancing
their on and off field lives but for me, I take pride
in apparently achieving "Mayoral" status
and to still be able to come out to play week in and
week out. Some would say it's a gift or even a prize,
but I say it is more of a duty. Strike while the irons
hot is my attitude.
My social life is a constant
distraction to my game on the field; luckily I have
supportive teammates that are always there for me.
Like when we volunteer to chaperone school dances,
go to the occasional petting zoo or sometimes while
kicking back enjoying 13 or 15 cold ones. People are
always approaching me after contests to compliment
my contributions. Some of my actions do go unnoticed,
but never is anything ever un-appreciated. I owe a
lot to my teammates, and they know where they stand
in my book.
HeinekenLacrosse.com: Mark, thanks
for your time. Good luck the rest of the year.
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