May 1, 2009
Chris Kersten is from a small town located near the Oklahoma state line in south central Kansas. For this week's installment of "Five Minutes with a Student-Athlete," we interviewed Tech's shortstop/third baseman and learned about his admiration for his dad, his first job and what he would ask the president.
LATechSports: Where are you from?
Kersten: I am from Kiowa, Kan.
LATechSports: What are you majoring in?
Kersten: Kinesiology and health promotion
LATechSports: What do you enjoy the most about Tech?
Kersten: I enjoy the college atmosphere, the warm weather, traveling with our team and the baseball facilities.
LATechSports: What are your plans after college?
Kersten: I hope to play baseball at the professional level. If I am unable to, I would like to get into coaching or sports performance, which helps prepare athletes for the professional level.
LATechSports: What is your greatest achievement?
Kersten: Since I am from a small town, I would have to say playing collegiate baseball is my greatest achievement.
LATechSports: Who inspires you?
Kersten: My dad because he played college baseball. We talk quite a bit on the phone about my experiences on the field, and he usually has some pointers for me.
LATechSports: What was your first job?
Kersten: My first job was working for my dad on the farm. I helped him by feeding cattle and building fences.
LATechSports: What are your hobbies?
Kersten: In my free time, I enjoy lifting weights, hunting, fishing and hanging out with friends.
LATechSports: If you could spend a day with one person, who would it be and why?
Kersten: I would want to spend a day with Pete Rose because I would love to find out how he became such a great player and if he gambled on baseball.
LATechSports: What is your favorite part of a road trip?
Kersten: I enjoy staying in the nice hotels and hanging out with my teammates.
LATechSports: When did you start playing baseball?
Kersten: I started playing baseball when I was four because of my dad.
LATechSports: What is your all-time favorite sports moment?
Kersten: I actually have two. My high school team winning our league championship my junior and senior years are my two favorite sports moments. Prior to us winning it my junior year, we finished my sophomore year last place in the league.
LATechSports: What song or artist do you listen to before a game?
Kersten: I normally listen to my walkout song by Citizen Cope. It is called "Penitentiary."
LATechSports: Who do you contribute your success to in baseball?
Kersten: I contribute a lot of my success to my family and close friends. They have supported me and stayed with me through thick and thin.
LATechSports: If you could play baseball professionally for a particular team, who would it be?
Kersten: I would want to play for the Kansas City Royals because they are my home town team.
LATechSports: Are you superstitious?
Kersten: A little bit. I usually eat two bananas and an apple before each game.
LATechSports: Did you choose your jersey number for a particular reason?
Kersten: My number, 11, is a family number. My sister wore it throughout her basketball career and my brother wore it when he played football.
LATechSports: Would you ever do something extreme or adventurous?
Kersten: If it had anything to do with heights, probably not just because I don't like heights very much.
LATechSports: Can you impersonate someone?
Kersten: Not really. I like to think I can, but I probably can't.
LATechSports: Have you ever met a celebrity? If so, whom?
Kersten: Last year, I played summer ball for former Cleveland Indians manager Mike Hargrove.
LATechSports: If you could live anywhere, where would you live?
Kersten: I would want to live near a beach or an ocean.
LATechSports: What is your favorite movie?
Kersten: Scarface is probably one of my favorite movies. Almost any sports movie is probably right up near the top too.
LATechSports: What is your favorite food?
Kersten: Steak and anything my mom cooks.
LATechSports: If you could ask the president one question, what would you ask?
Kersten: Where is my stimulus check?
LATechSports: What was the strangest costume you wore for Halloween?
Kersten: Last year, my roommates and I dressed up like a team from the movie "BASEketball," called the Milwaukee Beers. Not only did we wear their uniforms, but we also had their mannerisms.
LATechSports: If you had the opportunity to live your life to the fullest for only one day, what would you do?
Kersten: I would probably go bungee jumping or sky diving just to say I did it. I would also want to see all of the major league ballparks.
LATechSports: What is the funniest prank played on you or by you?
Kersten: One time, my friends from high school hid in a wheat truck near our barn at home. At the time, I was near the barn and they began to throw objects at me, and I thought someone was in our barn. I told my mom what happened, and she told me I needed to get them out of the area. Since I didn't know who it was, I began throwing baseballs at them. Once they finally came out, I couldn't believe it was them.
LATechSports: If you were stranded on a beach, what five things would you need to survive?
Kersten: Fruit punch Gatorade, Jack Link's beef jerky, my favorite comedian, Jim Gaffigan, a pretty girl to look at like Megan Fox and a never ending supply of steak.
