Middletown, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg junior forward, Arick Sodini (Manalapan, Nj. / St. John Vianney) has gotten off to an impressive start through the first nine games of this young 2014-2015 season. Averaging 11.9 points per game and leading the Lions in scoring this season, Sodini was spotlighted in the CAC introducing page on the conference website. Sodini and the rest of the Penn State Harrisburg men's basketball team will look to pick up their second win of the season and get the 2015 season started off twelve hours early with a win over visiting TCNJ on December 31st at noon.
Story reposted from CAC website:
Arick Sodini is in his second year as a starter for the Penn State Harrisburg men's basketball team, and his consistent scoring touch has been important for the Lions. Sodini scored at least eight points in 11 of his 15 starts during his freshman season, and he leads the Lions with an 11.9 average this season. INTRODUCING … Arick Sodini.
Briefly, what is your background in the sport you play? I started playing basketball when I was in 3rd grade. I played two years of varsity basketball at my high school, St. John Vianney in Holmdel, N.J.
What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline? I am a communications major. I would say the most important thing I have learned so far is that writing is a process. You might have to write your story 10-15 times before you get it to be perfect.
What is your favorite spot on campus? My favorite place is the Stacks Market. That is where the majority of students hang out in between their classes and its good seeing some of my friends that I normally don't get to see regularly.
Outside of your home and campus, where is your favorite place visit? I enjoy the Bay Area in California. My father and I used to take trips out there to see the Oakland Raiders since I was in middle school and visit some close friends that live out in the area. Each visit was always better than the previous one.
Briefly describe the most memorable experience during your collegiate athletic career. I would say being named to our All-Tournament Team in the Penn State Harrisburg Tip-Off Tournament this year. The team worked really hard for the month leading up to that weekend and being named all-tournament was just a result of the hard work that my teammates and I put in.
Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life? The most influential person in my life outside of my family would be my favorite musician Machine Gun Kelly. His music got me through a tough time last year and I wouldn't be the person or player I am if it wasn't for his music.
What is the most important societal issue facing college students? The most important issue is peer pressure. A lot of kids are living on their own for the first time and there are going to be opportunities for them to do things that they normally wouldn't back home and kids are worried about fitting in that they will try it just to make a new friend.
If you could change any one item in the world (in your personal life, school, community, amateur or professional sports, national/international issue, etc.), what would it be, why, and how would you do it? I would make the town of Middletown where Penn State Harrisburg is located much more college oriented. It has been said that the University and its students are the reason the town has not gone bankrupt and the majority of the people who live in the town are not students. I would start by building more businesses in town that pertain to college students and get a bus system in place that could pick up students at various locations across town.
What is your favorite form of entertainment? Music is my favorite form of entertainment. I love to just relax and get lost in the stories that my favorite artists portray in their songs.
If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be? I would tell elementary school children to work their hardest in school and at the things they love. We can have almost anything we want in this life as long as we are willing to put in the work that is required to do it.
Outside of the CAC, who or what is your favorite sports person or team? My favorite sports team is the Oakland Raiders. My dad grew up a Raiders fan and all of my family roots for the Raiders.
Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with? If I could have dinner with any 3 people, the first would be John Wooden. He is arguably the greatest coach in the history of basketball and sitting down with him would be an absolute pleasure. The 2nd person would be Al Davis. He is a pioneer for the NFL and the NFL would not be what it is without him. He broke barriers in football and was a man who stood up for what he believed in and would not back down to anyone. The last would be Kobe Bryant. He is my all-time favorite player. The chance to sit with him and pick apart his brain on what motivates him is an opportunity that I would love to have.