DePaul University Athletics
Summer Session: Brian Visser
7/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | ATHLETICS
CHICAGO - While DePaul's student-athletes are in the midst of enjoying the summer and preparing for the upcoming year, Brian Visser took a few minutes to answer some questions and keep everyone updated on what he's been doing since the end of the Spring Quarter in June. The Blue Demons are coming off a historical season in 2007 that saw the team claim the BIG EAST Red Division, make the program's first NCAA appearance and match a school record with 12 victories. Visser alone rewrote the DePaul record books as he set new standards for career shutouts, season shutouts and consecutive shutouts. For his efforts in 2007, he was named the BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year and was a NSCAA/adidas Scholar All-American.
Q: Coming off the BIG EAST success last season and the first NCAA appearance in school history, what are your expectations for the Blue Demons in 2008?
A: With 10 out of 11 starters returning to the squad and some great up and coming talent, I expect us to build on the successes we've had and to enter the NCAA Tournament in 2008 as a stronger, more experienced team. The growing support from our student body played a huge role in 2007 and we hope to experience even more of that as we go into our fall season.
Q: With all of the well-deserved accolades last year, do you and the team sense a 'bullseye' on your jerseys heading into next season?
A: In a conference as competitive as the BIG EAST the competition is always going to be at a high level regardless of our past success. The confidence we gained from the accolades we received will give us the ability to overcome any sort of additional pressures present.
Q: You all were dominant at home a year ago, what is your favorite thing about playing at Wish Field?
A: Wish Field was newly renovated the year I came to DePaul, so I've always had a high level of respect for the quality that it offers. The field holds many memories for everybody on the team, and it creates a very dynamic atmosphere every time we set foot on it.
Q: The men's soccer team took on the Chicago Fire during the Spring Season, what kind of barometer did that give you guys as you concluded the Spring Season?
A: The game against the Fire gave us an opportunity to test ourselves against a professional team, which helped put our successes into perspective. The game motivated us on both an individual and team level to take our abilities to the next level. It was a great way to finish off an amazing year.
Q: What do you have going this summer? Taking classes, playing soccer anywhere or taking a break to gear up for 2008?
A: I'm taking a Finance course for my major and playing with a club team out of Chicago, Soccers FC. The beginning of the summer has been a constant frenzy of preparation for a trip to Europe in late July with the Soccers, which is going to be a wonderful experience that will put me in a great place for the 2008 season.
Visser and the Blue Demons open training camp for the 2008 season in mid-August before three exhibition games and the home opener against Valparaiso on Aug. 31. DePaul posted a record 9-1-0 record at Wish Field in 2007 including wins over No. 2 Connecticut, No. 21 Louisville and Cincinnati in a BIG EAST Quarterfinal match.
