April 3, 2008

QUEENS, N.Y. - Senior attackman and tri-captain Tom Michaelsen, from Bethpage, N.Y., took some time out of his busy week to get fans geared up for the Red Storm lacrosse team's ECAC match up against University of Massachusetts on Saturday.

Michaelsen was the team's leading point scorer in 2006 and 2007 and was the Red Storm's first all-league selection. This season, the sports management major became the fifth person in St. John's history to reach 100 career points in the Red Storm's game against Siena on March 25.

The Bethpage native is currently fifth on the Red Storm's All-Time Leading Scorers List with 100 points (63 goals, 37 assists), with three more assists, Michaelsen will also become the fifth Red Storm athlete to score 40 goals and 40 assists.

"Tom is our leader at the offensive end of the field," said head coach Jason Miller. "He has been since he arrived here. He sets the tone for us in the weight room. He can really put stress on a defense with his ability to get above the goal line. In my opinion, he is one of the toughest covers in our conference."

RedStormSports: You have drinking milkshakes and Pedialyte listed as your pregame ritual... why?
Tom Michaelsen: I drink pedialtye to prevent dehydration and cramping. I got the idea from my buddy who plays lacrosse for University of Albany. The milkshakes began as a tradition I had with my roommates, Dom and Trevor.

RSS: What's on your iPod on game day?
Michaelsen: Mainly speeches such as the Jimmy V speech, Al Pacino's speech from Any Given Sunday and many others from inspirational coaches and people to get me mentally focused for the games.

RSS: What's your favorite quote from Coach Miller?
Michaelsen: "Success and failure are never final. Past performance is forgotten in every new competition. You work hard to improve each and every time out." The reason I like this quote so much is because the next game is always the most important. Whether you're playing well or not, you can't think about it; you have to focus on the task ahead.

RSS: Where did you get the nickname "Meat"?
Michaelsen: When Coach Miller first came here he called me "meat" one day in the weight room. It's probably because I am always trying to lift and he thinks I am a meat head.

RSS: So far, what is your favorite moment of the past three seasons on the team?
Michaelsen: I would have to say the win vs. Rutgers last year because it was not only our team's first ECAC win, but Coach Miller's first ECAC win.

RSS: What's it like playing with your twin brother? How competitive can it get?
Michaelsen: Nothing is better than playing with family, and basically your best friend. We are both really competitive in everything we do, such as bowling, golf and lacrosse. I think being competitive makes us better in life and on the field.

RSS: As one of the senior captains was it difficult to step up into your leadership role? How do you keep the team motivated facing the second half of the season and after a tough first few weeks?
Michaelsen: No, because I have always thought of myself as a leader, so being a captain came naturally to me. Now I just try to tell the guys that a lot of positives can still happen considering we have four league games left and are playing a top-ranked opponent at the end of the season.

RSS: What is one interesting thing no one on the team knows about you?
Michaelsen: A secret hobby would probably be that I like to invest my money in the stock market, mutual funds and IRA's.

RSS: If you weren't playing lacrosse what sport would you be playing?
Michaelsen: Well if it was based on my talent, I was also recruited for soccer and wrestling, so either one of those sports. But if I the opportunity to play golf I would love to do that.

RSS: What are your plans for after graduation?
Michaelsen: After graduation, I actually already have a job lined up. Starting June 1, I will be working for a lacrosse company called Maverik Lacrosse as the director of operations.

RSS: What are you thoughts on playing UMass this weekend? What can you do better from last weekend at Rutgers?
Michaelsen: Even though we are 0-8, I still feel like there are many positive things that can be done for the remainder of the season. I feel very confident about this week's match up. It is going to be a battle, but we have the home field advantage and have been playing well in practice. The only thing we need to do is put together 60 minutes of good lacrosse versus one or two good quarters. Personally, I need to make good looks on the offensive end to give my team the best chance of winning.

Check back with RedStormSports.com next week to meet senior midfielder Justin O'Donnell!

To receive updated information on St. John's men's lacrosse or submit questions for the Red Storm Seniors please send an email to Kristin Duffy at stjcommunications@stjohns.edu with the subject "Men's Lacrosse E-mail."