Senior Profiles: Mike Tricoli

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

This Saturday is Senior Day, so we will run the last two profiles here this week. Last but not least, is senior center Mike Tricoli!


Name: Mike Tricoli
Hometown: Lake Mary, FL
Major: History and Art History

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
Education and Football

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
My first college win - beating Knox 35-34 my freshman year.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
Education/Business Administration

Favorite Professional Team: New York Giants

Favorite Division I team: Florida State University, West Virginia University, Iowa

Favorite Song: "Man In The Box" by Alice in Chains

Favorite Food: Hot Buffalo Wings with a side of potato skins

Favorite Movie: The Godfather

Favorite Book: The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Medieval Cathedrals

Other hobbies: Playing guitar, traveling, eating

Senior Profiles: Jake Thompson

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

This Saturday is Senior Day, so we will run the last two profiles here this week. Let me introduce you to senior defensive lineman, Jake Thompson!

Name: Jake Thompson
Hometown: Rockwell City, IA
Major: History/Education

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
It's the best academic college in Iowa and one of the best in the country.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
Our game against St. Norbert this year.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
I plan to attend law school in the fall, but I will also graduate with a teaching license, so that is a possibility down the road.

Favorite Professional Team: Miami Dolphins, Houston Rockets, Chicago Cubs, in that order.

Favorite Division I team: Iowa Hawkeyes

Favorite Song: "I Touch Myself" by the Divinyls

Favorite Food: Casey's Pepperoni Pizza

Favorite Movie: The Land Before Time

Favorite Book: The Animorphs by K.A. Applegate

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Mao Zedong with Professor Hsieh, also anything taught by Rob Lewis

Other hobbies: Video games, movies, wikipedia, reading if I have time.

Senior Profiles: Joey Snyder

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior tight end, Joey Snyder!


Name: Joey Snyder
Hometown: Reserve, New Mexico
Major: Economics

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
Grinnell College gave me the opportunity to see a different part of the United States, while offering me the chance to play two college varsity sports and receive a top-ranked liberal arts education. In addition, the faculty and students at Grinnell are all good people.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
I have numerous favorite moments, but I think my favorite was the fourth quarter and the excitement that prevailed during last year's first game against Cornell. The quarter was full of nothing but suspense, especially the final play. When Marquis Bradley swatted down a desperation pass into the endzone as time expired, I immediately ran onto the field as did the rest of the team. The excitement shown by the fans and players is unforgettable.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
I am in the process of pursuing a career in finance, such as a financial advisor. I am also trying to apply to graduate schools, preferably the University of New Mexico's Anderson School of Management in hopes of receiving an MBA in finance.

Favorite Professional Team: Chicago Bulls

Favorite Division I team: North Carolina Tar Heels

Favorite Song: "Life Goes On" by Tupac Shakur

Favorite Food: My grandma's red chili enchiladas!

Favorite Movie: Friday

Favorite Book: L.A.byrnth

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Lunch, haha. No really, I enjoy economics classes focused in finance, such as Investments and Public Policy, or U.S. Financial Systems

Other hobbies: I regularly snowboard. Hang out with friends - mostly the "PALS". Ride ATVs, hunt, eat my mom and grandma's home-cooked Mexican food. Listen to my parents, grandparents, and family friends childhood stories. Most of all I love just being in the great state of New Mexico with my family.

Senior Profiles: Tim McDonald

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior wide receiver, Tim McDonald!


Name: Tim McDonald
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Major: Art (Studio)

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
I chose to come to Grinnell for the academics, great environment, and its unbeatable corn on the cob.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
My first year was a very special season for me, and I really got along well with the seniors on that team, so when we won our last game at home against Beloit it was a great feeling to be able to send those guys off with a win.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
Travel the world.

Favorite Professional Team: Indianapolis Colts

Favorite Division I team: Iowa Hawkeyes

Favorite Song: Tuesday's Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Favorite Food: A Taylor's Maid-Rite Sandwich with everything on it accompanied by a vanilla shake

Favorite Movie: O Brother, Where Art Thou

Favorite Book: The Sun Rises Also by Ernest Hemingway

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Art 310 - Hybrid Media

Other hobbies: Discussing politics, hanging out with my family, and getting into trouble with friends.

Senior Profiles: Curtis McCoy

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior defensive end, Curtis McCoy!


Name: Curtis McCoy
Hometown: Lake Forest, IL
Major: Biology with an Environmental Studies concentration

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
I wanted a small college where I could get to know people, but I also wanted a break from the homogeneity of Lake Forest, IL; when I came to visit it just felt right.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
My freshman year (2006) beating Knox College 35-34 with the help of a 30 yard pass from Sean Pfalzer to Todd Doleshal for a two-point conversion and some clutch kicking from our newly recruited, Grinnell soccer player turned Grinnell football player, Scott Koenning.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
After graduating from Grinnell, I plan to take some time off to go abroad, possibly in the Peace Corps, before attending graduate school likely in Environmental Science/Environmental Public Policy.

Favorite Professional Team: Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears

Favorite Division I team: University of Notre Dame Fightin' Irish -- GO IRISH!!

Favorite Song: That's a really tough one. Since I like so many different types of music, it really depends on the day. If I had to chose one, I would probably go with Pearl Jam's Yellow Ledbetter, especially the live version.

Favorite Food: A well-seasoned New York Strip Steak with mashed potatoes

Favorite Movie: Rudy

Favorite Book: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Favorite Course at Grinnell: A tie between Aquatic Biology with Peter Jacobson and Organic Chemistry II - Lab with James Lindberg.... But seriously you do some really interesting things in these courses.

Other hobbies: I'm a member of the campus environmental group, FTP. I throw discus on the Grinnell Track & Field team. I really enjoy watching movies and listening to music. I always enjoy watching Seinfeld, the greatest show ever...own every season. I also enjoy reading, mostly non-fiction, novels.

Senior Profiles: Mike Martinez

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior wide receiver, Mike Martinez!

Name: Mike Martinez
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
Major: Economics

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
I chose Grinnell for three reasons:
1) Community - The college as well as the town are very opening and welcoming
2) Academic Challenge - classes are challenging and interesting
3) Sports - many athletes play more than one sport

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
Beating Knox 35-34 my freshman year (2006).

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
After Grinnell, I hope to work with a company in the financial sector and after getting a few years of experience, return to graduate school for an MBA.

Favorite Professional Team: Dallas Cowboys

Favorite Division I team: Texas Longhorns

Favorite Song: "Juicy" by Notorious B.I.G.

Favorite Food: Shrimp Scampi

Favorite Movie: Training Day

Favorite Book: The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Empirical Methods in Economics with Bradley Graham

Other hobbies: hanging out with friends, bird watching, video games, sunset picnics

Senior Profiles: Kyle Lobaugh

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior defensive end, Kyle Lobaugh!


Name: Kyle Lobaugh
Hometown: Bishop, Texas
Major: Political Science/Theater

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
After 18 years in South Texas, I decided to experience a new environment/culture in the Midwest. Grinnell offered the opportunity to attend a great academic school while also playing football.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
St. Norbert senior year. It was by far the proudest I've ever been to be a part of a defense.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
Upon graduation I plan to enter the Navy Reserves as an officer, while simultaneously attending Law School at the University of Texas. I also aspire to enter politics as a United States Senator.

Favorite Professional Team: Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Indians, San Antonio Spurs, Pittsburgh Penguins

Favorite Division I team: The Ohio State Buckeyes!!!

Favorite Song: "Amarillo By Morning" George Strait

Favorite Food: My mom's chicken and rice

Favorite Movie: Top Gun

Favorite Book: Any book by John Grisham

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Period Acting Styles with Craig Quintero

Other hobbies: sports, reading, and politics. I am also the co-chair of the Republican Party.

Senior Profiles: Scott Koenning

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior kicker and linebacker, Scott Koenning!


Name: Scott Koenning
Hometown: Oberlin, Ohio
Major: Spanish/Sociology

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
I chose Grinnell because of its quality of academics and community. I stayed because of friends I've made and the beautiful starry nights.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
Ryan Boehm's interception return for a touchdown against Lawrence in the 2008 season.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
Immediately after graduation, I'm considering enrolling in some sort of service program, perhaps outside the U.S. After that, it'd be great to become a member of LeBron James' entourage. However, I have a feeling life may take me in a different direction. We'll see.

Favorite Professional Team: The Cleveland teams: Browns, Cavaliers, and Indians

Favorite Division I team: Ohio State Buckeyes

Favorite Song: Depends on the day, but right now: "Kick Drum Heart" by The Avett Brothers or "Soundtrack 2 My Life" by KiD CuDi

Favorite Food: Anything my dad makes

Favorite Movie: Pulp Fiction

Favorite Book: Tough call, but I'm feeling nostalgic, so I'll say The Outsiders by Susan Eloise Hinton

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Social Inequality

Other hobbies: All things Argentine, Cleveland sports, soccer, food & cooking, language, music and travel

Senior Profiles: Ben Johnson

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior cornerback, Ben Johnson!


Name: Ben Johnson
Hometown: Oak Park, Illinois
Major: Psychology, along with enrollment in the education program

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
I'm not really sure, but its the best decision I've ever made.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
Ben "Sunshine" Westfeld's game-winning interception in the fourth quarter against Lawrence during the 2007 season.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
After graduation I'd like to join some kind of service organization, hopefully Teach for America.

Favorite Professional Team: The Chicago Cubs

Favorite Division I team: The University of Michigan Wolverines, Go Blue!

Favorite Song: Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash

Favorite Food: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches

Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump

Favorite Book: A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Introduction to Physics with Prof. Cadmus

Other hobbies: Closely following the defending Illinois State Champion OPRF wrestling team, whipping my housemates in NCAA Football video games, golfing, and playing tennis

Senior Profiles: Fernando "Fonz" Jenkins

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior cornerback, Fonz Jenkins!


Name: Fernando "Fonz" Jenkins
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas
Major: Political Science

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
I chose Grinnell because of its rich tradition of excellence with regards to academic rigor. I didn't even visit Grinnell, but knew right away that it was the best fit for me due to its strong emphasis on diversity and moral obligation to social justice.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
My favorite Grinnell football moment was when I recorded my first career interception against St. Norbert on our home field. (But the funniest moment was when I had to push a sled for teaching my controversial class.)

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
Well I have many aspirations and ambitions in life. My dream career would involve being a professional actor. I want to obtain levels of stardom relative to Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Jamie Foxx, etc. If that doesn't work out, I'll most likely become a lawyer or run my own business dealing some steel with Cutco. I also enjoy political life and might become the first African-American governor of Arkansas or better yet, the second African-American president of the United States. There is no limit to the possibilities!

Favorite Professional Team: I love the Cincinnati Bengals! How could that be huh? Well, actually one of the player's parents for the Bengals (Steve Foley) lived right next to me! Foley would come back and throw big block parties and do a lot of community building activities. I also love the Trail Blazers. My love for them came from Sega Dreamcast. My favorite baseball team is the White Sox and my hockey team is the Red Wings (just kidding, I don't know the first thing about hockey :)

Favorite Division I team: ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS! WHOOOOOOO PIG SOOIE!

Favorite Song: Heaven by Jamie Foxx

Favorite Food: Neck bones, ham hocks, greens, sweet potatoes, chicken and dumplings, corn bread, cabbage, anything on the pig, and ox tails...etc.

Favorite Movie: Hitch

Favorite Book: The Poisonwood Bible

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Political Theory and Transnational legal institutions, and Pluralist Systems: Comparative European Politics

Other hobbies: I'm also on the debate team. I like to travel. I pole vault and long jump. I run a college radio show on Sundays from 8-10 entitled "The Pioneer Power Hour" hosted by your boy DJ Fonzie and DJ Maxx blazin the one's and two's on KDIC 88.5. Also streaming live at www.kdic.grinnell.edu. I'm a senator for my residential cluster and actively participate in Student Government. I also enjoy fishin and chillin. I sell knives too! (Cutco) I also enjoy long walks on the beach under the beautiful beams of the moon while playing my piccolo and reminiscing on the 4 glorious years I've spent in a little town called Grinnell.

Senior Profiles: Jordan Courtain

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior wide receiver, Jordan Courtain!


Name: Jordan Courtain
Hometown: Chico, CA
Major: Economics

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
I chose Grinnell because I had the opportunity to play sports as well as get a good education.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
My favorite Grinnell football moment would be my 1st touchdown on a hitch-and-go against Lake Forest my sophomore year.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
My future plans are to graduate college with my econ degree. Hopefully, after that join a company where I can put my degree to use.

Favorite Professional Team: San Fransisco 49ers

Favorite Division I team: USC Trojans

Favorite Song: Don't have one

Favorite Food: Tri-tip steak

Favorite Movie: Gladiator

Favorite Book: The Giver by Lois Lowry

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Microeconomics

Other hobbies: Working out, reading books, and watching TV and movies

Senior Profiles: Chad Christoff

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

Next up, is senior defensive tackle and fullback, Chad Christoff!


Name: Chad Christoff
Hometown: Donahue, IA
Major: Economics

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
The combination of a great education and an opportunity to contribute significantly and immediately to the football and baseball teams.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
Beating Knox at home as a freshman with a two-point conversion pass from Sean Pfalzer to Todd Doleshal from the 40 yard line after a 10 second scramble only to be followed up by a game winning PAT by converted soccer player and newest member of the football team, Scott Koenning.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
I plan on pursuing a career putting to use my Economics degree in some fashion. I have yet to decide what avenue that will lead me but this summer I spent time interning at Edward Jones financial services and would like to continue to investigate my opportunities in the financial services sector.

Favorite Professional Team: St. Louis Cardinals and whatever NFL team has the most former Hawkeyes on its roster

Favorite Division I team: Iowa Hawkeyes

Favorite Song: Fighters by Lupe Fiasco and My Town by Montgomery Gentry

Favorite Food: At school - turkey club sandwich; At home - ribeye steak with fresh Iowa sweet corn

Favorite Movie: Field of Dreams

Favorite Book: "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe

Favorite Course at Grinnell: ECN 338 Advanced Game Theory with Bill Ferguson

Other hobbies: Following North Scott High School athletics, collecting vintage Iowa Hawkeye apparel, maintaining two aquariums at home

Senior Profiles: Ryan Boehm

Throughout the season we will run profiles on each of our 14 senior players. We've asked them to tell us why they chose to attend Grinnell, what their favorite moment as a Pioneer football player was, among other fun facts. Please enjoy getting to know a little more about these guys before they graduate this spring!

First up, is senior free safety, Ryan Boehm!


Name: Ryan Boehm
Hometown: Iowa City, IA
Major: Economics

Why did you choose to attend Grinnell?
I chose Grinnell because of its liberal, tolerant environment and its emphasis on self-governance. Similarly, its non-restrictive curriculum was especially attractive. The college is also situated on a beautiful and serene campus.

What is your favorite Pioneer football moment?
The game against Lawrence in my junior season (2008), in which the Grinnell defense intercepted six passes and led the Pioneers to a 32-16 win.

What are your career ambitions and/or future plans?
Immediately after college, I plan to enter into one of the service corps (possibly the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps). Afterward, I plan to attend graduate school or law school.

Favorite Professional Team: Chicago Bears

Favorite Division I team: Iowa Hawkeyes

Favorite Song: Ants Marching by Dave Matthews Band

Favorite Food: Barbecued Pork

Favorite Book: "Going After Cacciato" by Tim O'Brien

Favorite Course at Grinnell: Applied Game Theory

Other hobbies: Disc Golf, Basketball, Reading, and Weightlifting

Grinnell Graduates Are Finding Employment!

2009 Commencement

Even in today's tough economic world, Grinnell graduates are still landing good jobs. This story in the South Jersey Courier-Post highlights such a story.

Of the nine graduating football players, they are getting jobs in education, sales, art, research, hotel management, and finance. While a couple others have chosen to pursue graduate school immediately after receiving their diploma.

There is no doubt times are tough, but with a Grinnell degree in your hand, the possibilities are endless!