Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of Q & A’s with athletes, coaches and other personnel that make up Sacramento State athletics.

What follows is a conversation between Sac State junior midfielder Andrew Tamm and State Hornet Assistant Sports Editor John Parker. The interview took place in the Sac State Media Relations office Wednesday with Media Relations assistant Andria Wenzel present.

John Parker: It says in the media guide that you played in Brazil in front of about 35,000 people, what’s that like?

Andrew Tamm: It was an awesome experience; I went there with my club team. Playing in a big stadium it felt like we were pros. I actually scored in that game, it was probably the best feeling I’ve ever had.

JP: I heard you have a problem with your hand and it’s wrapped up in a hard cast when you play, do you ever slip in any jabs at other players when the refs aren’t looking?

Tamm: Actually yeah I did and I almost got in trouble for it. I got knocked to the ground and got upset about it and threw my hand at the guy. The ref talked to me and told me I couldn’t do that, but I still have a little fun with it.

JP: How much of that stuff goes on in soccer?

Tamm: When the refs aren’t looking it happens a lot. It’s part of soccer. A lot of times you try and cheat as much as possible…well, not cheat but get an advantage any way possible by talking trash or throwing elbows. I do it as much as possible and I’m not liked very much by other teams. That’s good though, it intimidates them even though I’m not the biggest guy on the field.

JP: What’s the best verbal jab you’ve heard in a game?

Tamm: Best verbal jab? We were in Denver this year and the ball went out of bounds so I go to throw it in and this guy sitting right at field level comes over and says, “Your life sucks!” (Laughs) That’s the one thing I remember from that game, “Your life sucks!” from a fan. Players usually aren’t that bad, but fans get crazy sometimes.

JP: Soccer fans have that reputation, why do you think that is?

Tamm: It’s the passion for the game. Not so much here in the United States but around the world it’s a way of life. People don’t even go to school as much as they play soccer. A lot of people growing up that want to play soccer just go to school as a side-thing. It’s about passion and it gets to them. Just like the Yankees and Red Sox have their battles, it’s similar to that.

JP: What’s the best smack you’ve talked to anyone else?

Tamm: There’s a lot. I don’t know about one instance, I just try to prove myself on the field playing. If someone comes up to me and talks trash I want to make them look stupid on the field. If we get a goal I’ll say, “Hey we scored, 2-0,” stuff like that. I want to prove it on the field.

JP: Ever seen Bend It Like Beckham?

Tamm: I haven’t actually. I was going to but I heard it was more of a girly movie, like a chick-flick.

Wenzel: It is, it is.

JP: Andria thinks it is.

(Tamm Laughs)

Wenzel: I haven’t seen it, but it’s girls playing soccer, I mean…

JP: (Sarcastically) Oh. (To Tamm) You seen any soccer movies that you liked?

Tamm: There aren’t really many soccer movies. Goal? I think that had Pele in it. I don’t even remember it.

JP: I also found in the media guide that you want to go into the music industry. What kind of music would you want to produce?

Tamm: Probably punk or hip-hop. I like a lot of different types of music. Pretty much whatever mood I’m in, I’m into that.

JP: What’s the most unmanly music you listen to, any guilty pleasures?

Tamm: The guilty pleasure…I’d have to say it’s not Jessica, Ashlee Simpson.*

JP: Any song in particular?

Tamm: That ‘Livin’ in the Shadows song. (Wenzel laughs) My girlfriend listens to it, so I have to take it in I guess.

JP: You run out and buy that one when it came out?

Tamm: (Laughs) No, I probably won’t. But if it’s playing on the radio and no one’s around, I’ll listen to it.

JP: What’s spinnin’ in your CD player right now?

Tamm: 311. That’s pretty much always what’s in there. They’re my favorites.

JP: Got a favorite album?

Tamm: Music. That’s my favorite.**

JP: Who’s the worst dressed guy on your team?

Tamm: He’s not the worst dressed, but Pat Nelle wears the same two shirts over and over again. (Wenzel laughs) I definitely have to go with that. Not that he doesn’t have fashion sense, it’s just those two shirts…(Laughs) We always make fun of him for that. Last week we all made fun of him for wearing the same shirt two days in a row. He showed up on Tuesday and Wednesday wearing the same thing…Dork.

JP: Best dressed guy?

Tamm: I have to go with Jesse Manton. He’s all about Abercrombie, the ladies like that I guess. He definitely puts in the most time.

JP: You guys heckle for the volleyball team here at the Nest. You ever get in any trouble?

Tamm: We did. The first game we had a roster and were making fun of last names and stuff. The refs thought it was too personal so we got in a little bit of trouble. They couldn’t stop us though.

JP: Do you know anyone on the team, or just come out to support the school?

Tamm: We do know a lot of them. A lot of the athletes hang out with one another off the field. We do it to support each other and the school. If we go out to their games hopefully they’ll come out to ours and do the same thing. But yeah I have some good friends on that team, Sandra Bandimere, Kristin Lutes so we go out to support them.

JP: You have a favorite Linenberger*** saying?

Tamm: I do actually. He always says we have to, “…break through barriers.” Whenever we have something tough we have to do or a fitness day where we don’t touch the ball as much he says, “We have to break through barriers today.” He likes to bust that one out time and again.

JP: You like to play any pranks on unsuspecting teammates?

Tamm: I don’t play pranks so much as I just flat out make fun of them. (Everyone laughs) I’m not one of those guys who sneaks around, I’ll let you know flat out. Every once in a while I’ll steal someone’s cleats or something.

JP: You have a favorite one?

Tamm: A lot of times my jokes are just centered on Pat Nelle. He’s probably my best friend so he understands, but he’s a weird guy altogether. (Wenzel laughs) I just like to make fun of him. It’s all in fun.

JP: Who would you say is your favorite Sac State athlete?

Tamm: I would have to say Brianne Ferguson.

JP: Any reason in particular?

Tamm: Well, we’ve been dating for a while, so that’s a good reason…

Wenzel: Because if you don’t say her you’re in trouble…

Tamm: Also, she’s awesome to watch. I go to a lot of their games and knowing her personally it makes it more fun to watch her do the thing she loves.

JP: Would you say softball is your favorite team to watch?

Tamm: Softball and volleyball, I like them both.

JP: Me too…**** Finish this sentence: We will win MPSF if…

Tamm: Wow. We will win MPSF if we put in the work. If we push our bodies to the limit like that quote, “Break some barriers.” College soccer is all work. Everyone on the field is athletically equal. Whoever works the hardest is gonna win.

JP: Playing soccer…

Tamm: Playing soccer helps me not worry about the little things in life. When I go out there for practice I’m not worrying about school or personal problems it’s just a way to go out there and have fun.

JP: Anything else you want to say?

Tamm: No, not really.

JP: No parting shots at Nelle or anything?

Tamm: Ohhhh. Tell Nelle to get some new clothes. Better yet, new wardrobe. Expand a little bit…

*In an earlier On The Spot, Ryan Leadingham, quarterback of the football team, said the most unmanly music he listened to was Jessica Simson, Ashlee’s sister.

**311 happens to be one of John Parker’s favorites as well. Although his favorite 311 album is Transistor.

***Linenberger is Michael Linenberger, the head coach of the soccer team.

****Parker is the beat writer for both volleyball and softball at Sac State.

Look for On The Spot near the end of every week right here on www.statehornet.com