The following feature was written specifically for ULMAthletics.com by the ULM sports information office. Any use of the following text, partial or otherwise, must give credit to ULMAthletics.com and the ULM Sports Information Department.
Although injuries to her knees have kept her off the soccer pitch since the beginning of the 2006 season, Amanda Strope has kept around the Warhawk program. Ranking in the top 10 all-time at ULM in career goals, assists and points in only two seasons, the former Amanda Wing is one of the most experienced players on the team. Prior to the 2007 season, she married ULM golfer Brandon Strope. Amanda stopped by ULMathletics.com to answer a few questions about her summer.
Q: What have you been up to so far this summer?
A: So, far I have started working for my family's company, celebrated my first wedding anniversary, worked in the garden, saw Death Cab for Cutie in concert at Red Rocks in Colorado, and planned a trip to my friends graduation. It has been really busy but it is wonderful to be home.
Q: What are your goals for the upcoming season and what are you doing to ensure that you will accomplish them?
A: My goals are to continue with my knee rehabilitation in hopes to play in the future and to learn more about coaching. In order to reach these goals I plan to stick to a strict rehab schedule and help coaching with local youth teams.
Q: When you aren't working to accomplish these goals, where can people find you this summer?
A: I will be working or spending awesome time with my grandma, husband, and family.
Q: Which of your teammates do you think will really surprise people next season and why?
A: I think Britnie Markham will be a serious weapon for us this upcoming season. I think she has really built confidence on the field and will be a huge goal scorer!
Q: What opponent are you most looking forward to playing this next season and why?
A: That easy! UALR, no question. Why? Coach Delgado, of course. As true and funny as that is I really think we match up well against each other so it should be a good game. And there is some tension between our teams from [tournaments in] the spring that needs to be resolved.
Q: Is there a specific reason you wear the number you wear?
A: I wear the number four because that has been my number since I started playing soccer!
Q: If you could play any other sport what would it be and why?
A: Volleyball. I played in high school and I absolutely adore the speed of the game!
Q: What has been your favorite class at ULM and why?
A: Art 411 and animal science! Art 411 was a blast because we got to do art projects that normal, non-artistic people can be successful doing. And animal science because there was a lab that went with the class out at the school farm that gave me hands on experience with the animals.
Q: What is the funniest thing that you have heard Coach Lamb say during a match?
A: "I called you a ding-dong! That was the nice way of saying what I wanted to really say to you ref!"
Q: What are you studying at ULM and how do you intend on using your major after you graduate?
A: I am studying everything at ULM. Not really, but I have just changed my major quite a few times. Currently, I am a general studies major finishing up the prerequisite classes in business in hopes to enter the MBA program at ULM. I hope to work for my family's company when I graduate and maybe open a coffee shop one day.
Q: Looking back at your career, what has been your favorite memory of playing soccer for ULM?
A: This is a really hard question! The team in general is my favorite thing about ULM soccer. I have met and played with so many amazing players and been coached by awesome coaches that it would be impossible for me to pick just one memory out of the millions that have been made since I have been at ULM.
Quick Shots
My favorite musical group is Six Pence None the Richer.
If I could vacation anywhere I would go to Ireland.
My best non-soccer talent is that I can open doors with my super long toes!
I am most looking forward to seeing August Rush [again!] this summer.
Mallory George is my teammate that would have the best chance at winning American Idol.
I'd die if someone took my dogs from me.
If I had a million dollars I would buy a camera with a telephoto lens first.
I can't get "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles out of my head.
I stop what I'm doing and watch CSI: every time it is on T.V.
The best gift I've ever received was my engagement ring.
The words of advice that I live by are those of Jeremiah 29:11.
I'm deathly afraid of slugs.
The cartoon character I'm most like is Scooby Doo.
If I could have one super hero power, it would be flying ? it's generic, but so true.
I've had to give up antiquing because the price of gas is so high.
