Pilot in the spotlight: Rebekah Kurle

Grade: Senior

Hometown: Renton, Washington

Major: Social Work

Position: Forward

How long have you been playing soccer, and what memories do you have of your first game?

I think my parents decided at three years old that I was too hyperactive, so I started playing then. I remember my first game was at an elementary school by my house. I had this bright blue shirt on and my dad had to take me out because I had scored too many goals and the parents on the other team had started to complain.

Up until this year you’ve played midfield. Now you are playing forward. Is that permanent?

I think as of right now, it is permanent. I like it! I mean, I will play anywhere that the team needs me and I think it’s just a transition to keeping the ball a little bit more than defending super hard, but I like it. It’s a great experience.

Has it been a challenge balancing the “student” part of “student athlete?”

At times I think for me the biggest downfall is not being able to do the internships you want to do. I know I saw a lot of opportunities like that missed. Other than that, I balance it pretty well. I do my reading on the road, and homework on the road, and make sure I am on top of it.

Who would you say is your biggest fan?

I would probably say my dad, but he is also my biggest critic. I mean, he always supported me and it’s always good to know he is there. He always has something positive and negative to say after the games. We are only two hours away, so he comes to all of my home games. When I was younger it was nerve-wracking because I knew I was going to get yelled at for doing something wrong. Now, it is more like he will joke with me. It’s more of a two-sided relationship. He played football in college, so he is really competitive.

What do you like to do off of the field?

I am a big fan of hiking. I like to dance. I am a leisure reader. I like to check out books from the library. I like to hangout with friends. Barbeque. I am a big fan of cooking and trying new recipes. Shopping. I would like to get my nails done, but that’s not really possible because my feet are always torn up.

If you could change one rule about this sport what would it be?

I almost wish the game was a little more physical, for the girls anyway. If I can two-hand shove you, I would love to. I mean, I think that because we are girls, they kind of expect us to be a little bit more docile, but I actually want to hit you and make you fall. Maybe just allowing us to play a little bit more.

Any post graduation plans?

I really have nothing tying me down, so I have a lot of options. I am hoping that the place I am interning at might offer me a job. I am interning at Aging & Disability (Services) in downtown Portland. I am thinking about joining the Peace Corps or the Jesuit Peace Corps. Or maybe I will just travel. I have a lot of options.

Tell us a little bit more about your internship and how that plays out during the season.

It is required for one of my classes, so it kind of worked out that a lot of the places I wanted to work at didn’t work with my schedule, just because I have to be back on campus at 1 or 2 p.m. But they were really accommodating and really excited to have me. I am working in the hospital setting and one-on-one with elderly patients. Getting my own nametag with my picture on it and my own cubicle made me feel like a grown-up.

You seem to be pretty close with your teammates, what is the dynamic like spending so much time with all girls?

See, I think everybody thinks we spend a lot of time together, but more specifically for me, I do have a couple close friends on the team, but I actually have a lot of friends that aren’t on the team. I think it kind of helps me balance my mood. It’s nice to get away from them because we are together 24/7.

If you could choose a movie or song title that describes your life what would it be?

I want to say something like, “Tomorrow is never promised,” because something I have kind of adopted for this year is that everything happens in life for a reason, and you have to live each day like it was your last. If you want to do something, than do it.

 

Malika Andrews is a sports reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at andrewsm17@up.edu or on Twitter @malika_andrews.