Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Q & A With Saluki Tight End Estus Hood
08/26/2004 | 12:00:00 | Football
Aug. 26, 2004
By Dave Siegal
www.SIUSalukis.com
Why did you transfer from Illinois to SIU?
"I had graduated already up there and hadn't planned on playing this fall. But after talking to my parents about it and then Coach Kill, everything worked out. Coach gave me the opportunity to come out here, go to camp, and try and help the football team."
What did you learn from your experience at Illinois?
"I learned a lot. It's the Big Ten Conference, players every year go to the pros. The coaching is awesome, it's a great school to go to. It was just a great experience."
What is the quality of players and competition like at SIU compared to Illinois?
"Wherever you go, there's going to be guys strapping it on, so you shouldn't go thinking this is 1-AA, this is 1-A. Wherever you go, you better strap it up and be ready to go because they're still trying to play as hard as they can anywhere. There's not a big difference."
Will there be any gratification for you to be performing in front of your hometown family and friends?
"I mean, at first it will probably feel weird being back in town, but I'm looking forward to doing everything I can do to help our team this year."
Your father played professionally for the Packers. Did you sense any pressure growing up to follow in his footsteps?
"Not really. Sports were always just there. My parents encouraged me to play, but I always wanted to play sports. I was going to play because I wanted to play. Growing up in Herrin, everybody played sports anyway."
Could you describe what it has been like interning in sports marketing for Mike Trude this summer?
"It was a great experience. It taught me a lot more about the inside of athletics and a lot about a front office position."
What do you plan on doing after graduating?
"I thought about maybe being an athletic director, but I'm not sure yet. Doing a marketing internship makes marketing a great job to have. So we'll see."
What do you enjoy doing when you have spare time?
"Just hanging out, relaxing, playing basketball." (Hood played varsity at CCHS)
What do you intend to accomplish this season individually and team-wise?
"Coming from what I heard, everybody has high expectations. I expect us to come out and be what everyone expects us to be. You can't listen to all that. We just have to come out one day at a time, work hard, and be successful."
Should Chief Illiniwek stay?
"I hadn't thought about it that much. I can see both sides of it."
