Boston College Athletics
Ten Questions With Bill Arnault
October 26, 2001 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 26, 2001
1. What does it mean to you to wear a Boston College uniform?
This year I think it means more than it did in past. After the success the team had last year, every time I put on the uniform I have to go out thinking about what the team accomplished and try and build on that. And, since I'm a freshman, I have four years to build on this success and make the team and program even stronger.
2. What is your favorite soccer memory?
Well, in my short soccer career, I would have to say that the one soccer memory that sticks out in my mind would be from my senior year of high school. We had made it to sectional finals and were playing our rivals in the Carrier Dome, which is definitely one of the coolest places I've ever played in. With about 8 minutes remaining I scored the winning goal, and then the team piled up on one another. I was on the bottom facing up, and my brother, who was also on the team, was right above me. Out of my mind with joy, I reached up and gave my brother a big, sloppy kiss. To say the least, it was an awkward moment. But we went on to win the game, and it was just an awesome feeling. I'm hoping that this feeling will be replicated many times here at BC.
3. What makes soccer such an appealing sport to play?
Soccer is the only sport that requires one to be constantly in tune to the game, for 90 straight minutes, both physically and mentally. Not only does one have to have to handle the physical rigors of the game, but they must also be able to keep up with its pace mentally. It only takes one mistake or mental breakdown to cost the game. You have to be tough to play it and be successful at it, and not everyone can do it, and that's what makes it so appealing. Like all sports, soccer provides one with the greatest of highs and lowest of lows, and it is that constant effort to regain the highs that keep me coming back for more. Winning is one of the greatest feelings in the world.
4. Who's the toughest player you've ever played against?
One time down in Florida I was fortunate enough to be able to play against Carlos Valderrama. He didn't run all over the field and try and outwork you. Instead, he stayed in about a 15 yard radius in the middle of the field and just played balls into the corner, sending guys through, and setting them up perfectly. He was tough to defend because sometimes you just forgot about him because he'd just be standing there and then he'd make a quick sprint, get the ball, and play it through. Plus, with his big, bushy hair, it was hard to see around him.
5. What's your favorite place to go to in Boston and why?
Eating in Boston is without a doubt one of my favorite things to do. You can't pick a bad spot to eat, especially in the North End. The food there is just amazing. And then, after to dinner, to be able to walk to the harbor, or to the Boston Gardens, or to Quincy Market, it's very cool that everything is so accessible, and easy to do and get to. There's no place like Boston with its city, people, atmosphere, buildings, history, and attractions.
6. What is something people do not know about you?
For some reason, I've adopted the name Lil' Bill. Most of the guys on the team have taken to calling me it, and I just don't understand why. Seriously, I'm not that small guys. Compared to some people (Gabe), I'm actually outright tall. And I don't know, is being small really all that bad? It could be worse. I could be wide (right Chris?).
7. Who on the team has surprised people this season?
Since I'm new to the team this year, the skill and talent possessed by everyone on the team has really left me in awe, but two people in particular have caught my attention. Looking at him, you wouldn't think Chris Cleary would be able to do the things he does. But during each game, when I have the opportunity to play alongside him, my respect for him continues to grow. It's unreal the amount of effort he puts into the game. He literally leaves it all on the field, and to me, that's the most important thing, for that's what wins games and determines who will be the best. The same could be said for Paul Chase, who just flies up and down the left flank. Displaying an array of moves that a left back shouldn't be allowed to have, Paul plays with the grit and passion that everyone on the field should try and emulate. Although such work often goes unrecognized, it's hard not to notice what they put in every game.
8. What does the team's emergence as a national power in the past year mean to you?
In a way, I suppose it means more to me as an incoming freshman. Along with the rest of the freshmen and underclassmen, we have the awesome responsibility of taking over where the previous team left off and continue to improve on it even more. As hard it was getting to that spot, it will be even tougher to remain a national power, as all the teams are going to come gunning for us., which was evident this year. It also instills some pride in me that I'm playing at one of the top programs in the country.
9. What do you think the team's greatest strengths are?
I think, at times, our greatest strength is our team, the chemistry we have we have with each other. I think we're a close team anyways, and when this is manifested on the soccer field, that's when we're at our best. When we're confident as a team and playing well, we all seem to be thinking on the same page, moving for each other, helping each other out, and playing for each other. Likewise, when we're not playing well, and the heads go down, that's when the team can be at its worse. We stop thinking in general, and the play drops accordingly. As a team, to be at our best, we need to focus on our strengths, which is our all-around ability, and that if everyone is doing their job, then we're a tough team to beat.
10. What is the best advice you've ever been given and by who in what situation?
My old high school coach often gave me these words of advice in high school, and he repeated them to me in an e-mail he recently sent me. His advice was, "don't waste one moment or one match, no matter the opponent, over your career at BC... you will never get them back." These words of wisdom are not only applicable to soccer, but also life in general. You should approach soccer and life the same way, getting the most out of each and every moment, game, day.. These things define our lives, and they're are all we have, so we must make the best of them, and enjoy them to the fullest.
