March 3, 2010
Hangin' out with Emma Spiro
Quakers star, 'kind of a chocoholic'
by Phillip Shore/
Think back to the ’90s television show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Will Smith’s character moved out of Philadelphia in order to have a better life. Wellesley, Mass., native Emma Spiro moved in the other direction when she decided to attend the University of Pennsylvania, and she’s become the princess of Philadelphia lacrosse. Spiro’s success with the Quakers culminated last year in being named first-team All-America and Ivy League Co-Player of the Year, and snagging a nomination for the Tewaaraton Trophy — presented annually to the nation’s best player. Now a senior, Spiro is in line for more honors in 2010, but she’s mostly hoping to lead Penn to its fourth straight Ivy League title and fourth straight NCAA Final Four.
Q&A
How did you start playing lacrosse? “I started my freshman year of high school. I was a soccer and basketball player and didn’t have a spring sport. The basketball coaches were the lacrosse coaches and they convinced me to come out for the team.”
Why Penn? “I fell in love with Penn the second I saw it. I wanted an academic school and loved Karin [Brower Corbett]’s coaching style. Because we’re an Ivy League school, we still work on our own in the offseason a lot, which creates a better motto of hard work and seeing the results once we all come together.”
Are there any regional rivalries on the team? “No there’s definitely not. We’re starting to get a few New England girls, but it doesn’t matter because we’re all playing on the same team.”
What was it like to be nominated for the Tewaaraton Trophy? “Obviously, it was a great honor but it has more to do with the success of the program and the team and all three coaches. We don’t really have individuals; we have five to seven girls the same year that are on the same level in statistics.”
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? “Try to keep your motto of ‘[Let] the little things go and keep moving on.’ It’s really helped me.”
What is the highlight of your career? “The Final Fours, and seeing our program progress. I’m 21-0 in the Ivy League in my career. All three Final Fours were three of the best weekends of my life.”
Favorite cheese-steak place in Philly? Pat’s, Geno’s, or some upstart. I’m not a big cheese-steak eater, but the best one I did have was at Pat’s.”
Celebrity people say you most look like? “I’ve heard the daughter in ‘24.’ I don’t really know what she looks like though.”
Pop culture
Dinner: “I’m a big pasta person, any kind.”
Dessert/snack: “Milk chocolate in almost any form. I’m kind of a chocoholic.”
Vacation Spot: “I went on a cruise to the Caribbean with my family. I love the beach.”
Musician/group: “I’m not much of a music person, but currently I would say Taylor Swift.”
Song on iPod: “I don’t have an iPod but my favorite song is ‘Party in the U.S.A.’ by Miley Cyrus”
Actor/Actress: “Sandra Bullock.”
Movie: “Pearl Harbor.”
TV show: “Brothers and Sisters.”
Book: “My Sister’s Keeper.”
Video game: “Super Smash Bros.”
Sports idol growing up: “I’ve always been a big Paul Pierce fan. I’ve always watched and loved the Celtics and he’s been the best lately, especially in overtime.”
Team you follow as a fan: “The Celtics.”
Article of clothing: “I’m a sweatpants girl. I always love to be comfortable.”
Equipment
Stick: “We just got our new deBeer sticks. I use the NV3.”
Eyewear: “deBeer Lucent SI.”
Gloves: “UnderArmour.”
Cleats: “Under Armour. I mostly use turfs, but I’ll use cleats as well.”
