Student-Athlete Q&A with Sami Pratt
1/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
Jan. 14, 2016
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Freshman Sami Pratt is an attacker from Newport Beach, California, and would like to major in sport management. MGoBlue.com sat down with Sami for a Q&A.
Q. Why did you choose the University of Michigan?
A. I made a list for myself going into recruiting for all schools. I wanted a school with a football team, competitive academics and competitive athletics. Everyone has such a big heart for Michigan and such big team spirit that when I stepped on campus I was in awe. Michigan was my top choice even before the recruiting trip. I was looking at schools academically without water polo. When I came into my recruiting trip I tried to come in and find one thing about the school that I didn't like. I thought it couldn't be perfect, but it was.
Q. What was it like when you committed to Michigan?
A. When I committed, it was an evening that I called Marcelo and I was with my mom. She was working. She owns a clothing store in our local town and we were in the back room of the store. I can't remember if I called Marcelo or if he called me, but my mom was sitting there the whole time smiling. When I hung up we were both so excited and I was giddy and screaming. The next day I got to wear my Michigan shirt to school.
Q. How did you get started playing water polo?
A. My whole plan up until high school was that I wanted to play soccer or volleyball in high school. My best friends in middle school were twins, a boy and a girl. They both played water polo and they said they had a friends and family water polo night with a practice and dinner after. I had swam and done a junior lifeguards program in my area, so I was pretty familiar with the water. I went to practice and it was the hardest thing I have ever done and I was not very good at all. Something about it was pretty intriguing, so I decided to keep with it.
Q. What is your dream job?
A. I want to do something with business because both of my parents own their own business. I really like the aspect of being your own boss and being in control of your work life.
Q. Are you involved with other groups on campus?
A. I am involved with Athletes in Action. It is a Christian fellowship group. I have met a lot of cool athletes through it. It has been cool to connect with them and connect with other Christians. I have also been going to Mott's on Thursday nights, which is the children's hospital where athletes volunteer.
Q. Do you have any hobbies?
A. I like to run when it is nice outside. I don't run fast or far. My other hobbies include watching Netflix and sleeping.
Q. What is your favorite place to study?
A. I like to study in our academic center.
Q. If you could invite anyone to a slumber party who would it be?
A. I'm a really big country music fan so I would probably want to meet Carrie Underwood or some funny people like Ellen DeGeneres or Anna Kendrick.
Q. Who is the first person you call after a bad day?
A. My mom
Q. What was the last picture you took on your phone?
A. A really fat squirrel in the diag.
Q. What is your favorite follow on social media?
A. New Fork City -- it is food pictures from restaurants in New York
Q. What is the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery?
A. I would buy myself a good amount of clothes and save the rest and invest until I figured out what I was doing with my life.
Q. What is your favorite Michigan tradition?
A. I really love the Hail to the Victors song. I also love "the leaders and best." It is a great slogan.
Q. If you could play any other sport what would it be and why?
A. I think if I could be a good gymnast or a good volleyball player.
Q. What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you during practice or weights? (From Laura Jimenez)
A. Delaney (Cleveland) and I were trying to put a goal away by sliding it into its spot on the pool deck. When Delaney pushed her side of the cage, the side I was holding on to slid backwards to hang over the side of the pool. I managed to spin around and flip over the goal to flop/flail into the water.
• Previous Q&A: Anna Edgington
