8/2/2002 - Football
Navy Football Press Conference Freshman Practice-Day 1, Practice 2
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Freshman fullback Marvin Dingle (Coronado, Calif./Coronado)
Q. Why did you choose the Naval Academy?
A. I always wanted to be a doctor, so I thought this was the best way to do it, plus I get the opportunity to serve my country and do something I love (football) at the same time.
Q. Did you have interest in the Naval Academy for a long time?
A. I remember coming here to visit when I was about 16 to see my brother Irv and Coach Weatherbie asked me if I was coming here and I gave him a confident no, but as high school went on I realized this is a great place to be.
Q. Where is Irv today?
A. He is in Athens, Ga., attending supply school
Q. How has the experience measured up to what you expected?
A. It?s a little different being told what the Naval Academy is about and actually being here. It?s kind of blown me away, all the tradition involved in the Naval Academy. Stuff you can?t relate with words.
Q. What are your expectations for your plebe year?
A. I really just try and take it day by day, it?s a long road we are on, and I just try to enjoy it as much as I can.
Q. Have you and Irv been able to communicate since plebe summer?
A. Right now it?s kind of restricted. He sends me a lot of letters and I respond when I can.
Freshman slot back Sam Mathews (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon)
Q. Long day for you guys?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. What are your expectations coming in?
A. First of all I am just glad to be here after one year of NAPS. My main goal at NAPS was getting to the Academy. As far as football goes, Ben told me it was a lot more intense and you have to rise to that. My goal is to work as hard as I can and maybe I can get in to some varsity games later.
Q. Did you have an interest in the Naval Academy for a long time?
A. I became interested through my brother. I saw all the great things you get from attending school here through him.
Q. How about the fact that you two will be practicing against each other, knocking pads, since you two are on opposite sides of the ball?
A. That is always a topic of conversation around the dinner table.
Q. Are you looking forward to it?
A. Yes sir. We were on the same team in high school for one year and got to do it then so I am looking forward to playing with him again.
Q. Did you play linebacker in high school?
A. No sir, I was a strong safety and corner on defense and a tailback on offense.
Q. Were you and Ben on the field at the same time in high school?
A. He was actually the fullback and I was the tailback. I scored my first career touchdown as a sophomore on a sweep that he created with a great block.
Q. What about your family?s influence, do you come from a football family?
A. My dad didn?t play too much football, but on my mom?s side all of her brothers and my grandfather played (at Notre Dame) so football has always been the thing in our house.
Q. Coming from NAPS you guys were recruited by the previous staff, what?s it like for you guys as far as getting to know Coach Johnson and his staff and what they expect of you?
A. It?s clear what they expect, hard work and intensity. I think we are headed in the right direction.
