Great Q&A by Chip with Cameron Botticelli

[BleedGopher]

Some great quotes here:

Q: Jug, Axe or Pig?

CB: Axe. Not even close.

Q: One of your teammates told me that he hates arguing with you because he can’t win. He said you never lose an argument. Is that true?

CB: Outside of a discussion with a coach, at least in the locker room, I’d say I’m undefeated in disagreements.

Q: Describe the day or moment that you received your scholarship [as a walk-on]:

CB: It was the summer after my redshirt freshman year. We had just finished up spring ball but summer workouts hadn’t started yet. Coach Kill called me up into his office and he said, ‘Cameron, I think you’ve been doing a really good job for us at defensive tackle. You’ve got Coach Claeys endorsement. Just as soon as we can get you on scholarship, you’re going to have a scholarship.’ That summer I was awarded an athletic scholarship.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/279180951.html

Go Gophers!!

 

[jaymil]

Very good interview. As a Gopher fan you just gotta love Cameron.

 

[dalostpinoy]

love the part on how he received his scholarship as a walk-on. very anti- AJ Barker like. no mom's best friend needed.



Q: Did Kill have a meeting with you?

CB: It was a private meeting. It was absolutely one of the most powerful moments that I’ve experienced in my life because, since the age of 16, 17 years old, all I wanted was a Division I scholarship. Some guys got those out of high school. I didn’t. Part of me is pretty grateful that I didn’t because I had to earn it the hard way. There was no cutting and editing a highlight film to make me look better. It was right here. I was 20 feet in front of the coaches doing my work and if I didn’t deserve it, I wouldn’t have got it.

 

[killme]

love the part on how he received his scholarship as a walk-on. very anti- AJ Barker like. no mom's best friend needed.

Q: Did Kill have a meeting with you?

CB: It was a private meeting. It was absolutely one of the most powerful moments that I’ve experienced in my life because, since the age of 16, 17 years old, all I wanted was a Division I scholarship. Some guys got those out of high school. I didn’t. Part of me is pretty grateful that I didn’t because I had to earn it the hard way. There was no cutting and editing a highlight film to make me look better. It was right here. I was 20 feet in front of the coaches doing my work and if I didn’t deserve it, I wouldn’t have got it.

I don't click on the sTrib, but thanks for posting this part. I enjoy getting some personal glimpses of the players. Lots to like about Cameron, and a good guy to have in a leadership role.

 

[60's Guy]

Excellent!

Very fun read! Thanks

 

[husker70]

I will say this the Star Tribune has some writers with skill. Chip is one. He was the Gopher Football beat writer back in the day. Another who covered Football and has serious skills is Rachael Blount.

 

[Gopher Bandanna Guy]

Fun interview with a smart, funny kid. Cameron has really become an important cog in our defense, and I so want the Gophs to win the Axe for guys like him (kid from Wisconsin).

As far as Chip goes, love the guy. Always enjoy his columns, even when I disagree with some (i.e. his Ralph Samson one a few years back). Sent the guy an email, and he called me to discuss my take on the article. Really like that he is willing to hear criticisms. Met him at Grizzly Peak in Ann Arbor a few weeks back, and he was more than willing to engage with me and my friends. Doesn't shy away from his readers. In my opinion, this is the model for how a columnist/journalist should interact with his readers.

 

[Governor Sibley]

Chip is good at his job.

 

[e.bigelow]

Fun interview with a smart, funny kid. Cameron has really become an important cog in our defense, and I so want the Gophs to win the Axe for guys like him (kid from Wisconsin).

As far as Chip goes, love the guy. Always enjoy his columns, even when I disagree with some (i.e. his Ralph Samson one a few years back). Sent the guy an email, and he called me to discuss my take on the article. Really like that he is willing to hear criticisms. Met him at Grizzly Peak in Ann Arbor a few weeks back, and he was more than willing to engage with me and my friends. Doesn't shy away from his readers. In my opinion, this is the model for how a columnist/journalist should interact with his readers.

Man, that is pretty cool that Chip went out of his way to call you about one of his articles. I also enjoy Chip's articles and think he does a bang up job. I also recall that Ralph Sampson article you referenced. That was probably one of his few bad ones.