Junior Sam Brockshus is a place kicker for the Minnesota State football team.  Brockshus graduated in 2008 from Spencer, Iowa.  He came out with a roar in 2012, leading MSU in scoring, which included a career-high ten PAT’s against Upper Iowa.  He was named Capital One First Team Academic All-American and an AFCA All-American.  Brockshus was a finalist for the Fred Mitchell Award, which goes to the top collegiate kicker in the nation.

 “Sam was a difference maker on the field and off for Minnesota State University Football.  On the field, Sam is a first team All-America kicker who made many crucial kicks for us in a special playoff run,” said interim head football coach Aaron Keen.  “Off the field, Sam is a first team Academic All-America and is heavily involved with the Student Athlete Advisory Council.  We could not ask for a better representative of what our Football program and University is all about.”
 
Q:  What were some of the key factors that led you to choose MSU?
MSU came up late in my list of possible school pick.  I saw the team had a chance to win and I could play right away for them.  The coaches and the players loved the program when I came to visit.

Q:  As a leader of the team, how do you handle the challenges of last season?
We focused on what we could control and knew we were all together.  We all kept in mind that we are just lucky to be playing college football.

Q:  What are your goals for your senior year of football?                                                                      
Ultimate goal is to do better than last year.  I focus on going one for one on each kick.

Q: Who is your favorite sports team?
Denver Broncos (NFL)

Q:  Where has been your favorite place to compete at in college so far?                                                           
I love playing home in Blakeslee but Winona is great to because you have fans on all four sides of the field. 

Q:  What is your favorite thing about being a football player?                                                               
Opportunity to work towards and win the game and that feeling your get after you accomplish that. 

Q:  Any special rituals or superstitions you preform before each game or kick?                                                              
I stay away from superstition.  They make me over think my kick and that only leads to bad things. 

Q: Who is your favorite athletic?
Matt Prater, the Broncos kicker and Adam Vinatieri, the Indianapolis Colts kicker

Q:  What is your major and why did you choose it?                                                                                                       
Civil engineering because it will let me make a positive impact wherever I can use it. 

Q:  What are your plans for life after college; do they involve football?                                                  
If I can play for a football team I would but as of right now I’m focused on school.  I hope to get a job with an engineering firm in southern Minnesota or Iowa

Q:  What is your biggest accomplishment at MSU so far?
Being regional champs this past year!