Posted 10/20/06
UW-Platteville's Chris Booze is a defensive lineman from Bloomingdale, Ill. He leads the Pioneers into their annual Homecoming game against the defending league champions and national runners-up from UW-Whitewater. Kickoff is 2 p.m. Saturday at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.
Did you know that you have a huge fan following from the Platteville Youth Baseball? They all call out, "It's the umpire" whenever you make a play. How was your summer experience?
"I had no clue all the guys from the summer league come and watch our games. The summer was a new experience for me, umping little league games. I was new to the whole thing, and didn't know what to expect, but it was a good experience all around."
How is the football season going for you?
"I think the season is going really well on both sides of the ball. We're coming along pretty well."
The defense has really improved, especially against the run. What has made the difference?
"The coaching staff tried to make our whole defensive scheme simpler. Last year, we tried to do a whole bunch of adjustments, and now we're not thinking as much (about the assignments) and are just going out and making plays."
You've faced offensive linemen who have out-weighed you by 30-40 and, in La Crosse's case, 60 pounds. What kinds of techniques do you use against guys that much bigger?
"Most of the time it involves getting your hands in good position. If an offensive lineman has his hands on you, there is no way, you're going to get outside of him and make the plays. Leverage is also important. Some of the things I'm starting to do involve working the hands faster. I see now that earlier in the year, I wasn't bringing my hands up fast when the ball is snapped, and now it just happens."
You face one of the most explosive offenses with UW-Whitewater, the defending national runners-up. What do you look for with them?
"I really look for more about who we are. Is it going to be like last year, when we got blown out there, or are we going to stick in and fight to the end? It's a good challenge, and you never know how good you really are until you face the best teams."
You've been elected captain by your teammates. How does that feel, and what kind of responsibilities do you have there?
"It feels good, and the main thing is trying to keep guys up. A good example would be the Stout game, when we were down 20-3. I can't be the one saying, 'oh we're going to lose this game, we're so far down.' I have to be the one on the sidelines when we huddle saying, ' guys we're still in this, keep playing.' And we came out on top of that one."
You're a building construction management major. What would you eventually like to do?
"I'd like to be a project manager. At the career fair, I talked to a couple of companies, and they're looking for project managers for the summer. With civil engineering in my background too, I'd like to see what I can do with that. It might be transportation things, like a pipeline."
Then the city would lose you as an umpire!
"(laughs) Well, we'll have to see what happens."
Interview by SID Paul Erickson