Oct. 18, 2010
BERKELEY - Each week, CalBears.com will feature a freshman women's soccer player, and this week's participant is midfielder Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick, naturally called "Fitz" by her teammates, is highly regarded as one of the most talented midfielders in the nation. As a starter on the U.S. U-18 national team, she will bring a wealth of high-level playing experience with her to Cal and has seen a great deal of playing time in her freshman year. Cal head coach Neil McGuire notes that the 5-8 player boasts fantastic skill, is an excellent passer and has the ability to score goals from deep positions. Additionally, he commented that she is hard to dispossess and has great field vision, which will prove an asset to Cal's attack. CalBears.com had the opportunity to steal a few minutes of the Pleasanton, Calif., native's time for a Q&A.
CalBears.com: What made you choose Cal?
Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick: I chose Cal because of the great vibe and diversity of the campus and people in Berkeley. I also really connected with the soccer program and the people within it. The location was also another plus for me with the University being close to the exciting city of San Francisco and my hometown of Pleasanton.
CalBears.com: What are your hobbies outside of soccer?
KF: My hobbies outside of soccer are hanging out with my friends, swimming, having fun times and laughing with my two older sisters.
CalBears.com: Do you have any unique stories about yourself that set you apart from your teammates?
KF: I can't think of any unique stories at the moment but something unique about me is that I have 11 different ethnicities and come from a wide range of family background.
CalBears.com: What's your favorite part about Berkeley and/or the Cal campus?
KF: My favorite part about Berkeley and the Cal campus is how everyone is doing their own thing and that gives you the feeling that you can be yourself. I also love all the unique restaurants and the shopping. The town's atmosphere is like nowhere I've been before, and it is a breath of fresh air.
CalBears.com: What is the best thing about being a part of Cal women's soccer?
KF: The best part of being a part of Cal women's soccer is that you build relationships with people with whom you have so much in common and become so close to those people from spending so much time with them. It really is like your second family. Everyone learns to have trust in each other and appreciate each person for what they bring to the team. It's really something special to have that kind of bond.
CalBears.com: Did you grow up watching Cal athletics? What has it been like to represent them?
KF: I have to be honest - I didn't watch Cal athletics growing up. I had no clue I wanted to come to Cal or if I would like it. After one visit though, I absolutely fell in love! It has been such a great start to my experience at Cal representing the women's soccer program and being a part of such a talented team. Not even one semester in, being a part of the team has made me mentally and physically stronger.
CalBears.com: What are you planning on or thinking of majoring in?
KF: I am currently undeclared. I am open to anything I find myself interested in studying. Media studies has always been an interest of mine. For now, I will take classes to meet requirements and also some classes I'm curious about to narrow down my decision.
CalBears.com: What class are you most looking forward to this fall?
KF: The class I'm really looking forward to this fall is Nutri Sci 10. I have always been interested in nutrition and health factors. I know I will learn new interesting information that can help me with my own health in succeeding as a student-athlete.
CalBears.com: What characteristic in people do you most admire?
KF: A good sense of humor. I love to laugh and make light of situations. I also love sarcastic people who are very down to earth and real.
CalBears.com: If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy?
KF: If I won the lottery, the first thing I would buy is a vacation to the place in the movie "Couples Retreat" in Bora Bora for all my family and friends. It's unreal there!
CalBears.com: Which three people would you invite to dinner?
KF: Three people I would invite to dinner would be people who would best entertain me. Chris Brown so he could sing to me as I ate, Steve Carell so I could enjoy his sense of humor and a professional athlete, preferably baseball or football, to ask questions about what it takes to get to the pros.
CalBears.com: When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
KF: When I was little I wanted to be a vet, I love pets.
CalBears.com: What is one thing you can't live without?
KF: I can't live without chocolate.
