11 Questions With Karen Lansden
10/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Oct. 28, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. Rolltide.com and the Alabama women's soccer team present its new athlete for 11 questions. Select players and coaches will check in weekly on Rolltide.com and answer questions pertaining to things on and off the field. The 10th edition features senior goalkeeper Karen Lansden.
Rolltide.com: You are graduating in May with your bachelors and masters degree ... how have you been to manage all of this?
Lansden: I was lucky enough to be admitted into the University Scholars Program where it is possible to jointly pursue an undergraduate degree in Economics and a Masters degree and be able to graduate within 4 years of starting the Undergraduate program. I felt fortunate to be able have an opportunity like this and the support given to student athletes from the University is unbeatable. It just meant a few extra hours logged in the library over the years...
Rolltide.com: Between you and Kara Gudmens you were able to set the school record for consecutive home shutouts to start a season ... what made the defense so successful at home?
Lansden: Our home crowd gives off such great energy that it makes it that much easier for our defense to relax and play well. Also, being able to prepare and focus before the game in our own locker room is a huge advantage for our team.
Rolltide.com: You have been involved in a lot of community service ... what have you done and how rewarding is it?
Lansden: Throughout my four years here the soccer team has been specifically involved with community service at Arcadia Elementary School. Each player is assigned a different classroom, and we are able to stop by periodically and visit with the kids. We've also been involved in the school's field day and hosting soccer clinics. It's such a great feeling to interact with the kids and watch their faces light up when they see University athletes walking through their halls.
Rolltide.com: The senior class was honored on Sunday ... what was it like playing your last game in Tuscaloosa?
Lansden: It's crazy to think that our senior class's four years are almost up here. I feel like I just showed up yesterday for my freshman preseason. My memories of home soccer games in Tuscaloosa are things I will always treasure, especially our team's crazy antics in the locker room before our games.
Rolltide.com: How has the new coaching staff been and how is the transition?
Lansden: The new coaching staff has been able to turn our program around in such a short period of time. Their devotion to making our team better is evident in everything they do. With their help, Alabama soccer is on its way to becoming a SEC powerhouse.
Rolltide.com: Do you have a favorite professional soccer team and why?
Lansden: DC United because of Deegan's connection with their former player Josh Gros and I hope to live there someday.
Rolltide.com: If you could play another sport in college what would it be?
Lansden: I would definitely play volleyball. I played both competitive soccer and volleyball from 6th grade until the end of high school before choosing to only play soccer in college. My sister played volleyball at Ole Miss, and had she not gotten all the height genes in our family I might have made a different decision.
Rolltide.com: What is on your IPOD right now?
Lansden: My IPOD is filled with about 4,000 songs, so I usually keep it on shuffle mode and enjoy being surprised by what song pops up next. But my most recently played artists are Kings of Leon, Lady Gaga, and Counting Crows...oh and a little Cher before games.
Rolltide.com: What is your favorite pregame meal?
Lansden: PB&J!
Rolltide.com: When and why did you start playing the game of soccer?
Lansden: I started playing soccer when I was four years old. I'm the youngest of four girls and all my older sisters played sports, so of course I wanted to follow in their footsteps. Actually, to be honest, I wasn't the most athletically inclined kid until about middle school age, so I think my family was a little worried when I was younger that I was going to be the dud of the family. Luckily, I proved them wrong.
Rolltide.com: Why did you choose to go to the University of Alabama?
Lansden: The University of Alabama is unlike any other college experience. The facilities, the fans, and the tradition are just a few of the many things that sets the Crimson Tide above all the rest!
