Getting to Know... Chris Ashkouti
7/21/2008 4:07:00 AM | Football
Georgia Southern junior wide receiver Chris Ashkouti sat down with GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com to talk football and what has been going on this summer.
What have you been up to this summer besides football?
I am taking an online class and a strategic management class right now. I also did an internship during the first half of the summer with a real estate firm in Atlanta. So school has kept me extremely busy, but I have had a chance to get ahead so my fall load will be much lighter. I am also getting a break before camp begins, and I plan on going to the beach for a few days to relax.
What was it like joining the program as a walk-on?
Joining the team as a walk-on was the best decision I have ever made. I must say it was not easy, but I knew how blessed I was to even have an opportunity to play football at Georgia Southern. I knew it was a winning program with a great fan base, a winning mentality and a great deal of tradition. It is every kids dream to play for the Eagles, and I am just fortunate that I have the opportunity.
Coach Hatcher puts a great emphasis on the special teams. Can you describe what it is like to be a member of the ?Special Forces'?
I have realized how important special teams are because they have had such a great impact on our games. They can change the momentum of a game at any moment and it is extremely important to take them seriously. Coach Hatcher does take a lot of pride in special teams and playing on the special forces is a privilege. It is also another opportunity to make a big play and turn a game around.
Looking back on the last few years of your college career what is your most memorable moment?
My most memorable moment is from last year when we went to Appalachian State and beat them at their place ?The Rock'. We had not beaten them since I have been at Georgia Southern. They had a huge winning streak at home and had beaten Michigan earlier. Our coaching staff did a great job as always of preparing us and it turned out to be a special night for the Eagles.
What factors contributed to your growth as a student-athlete?
I have been blessed to be around great players and coaching. I pride myself on working hard. I study what my coaches teach me and learn a lot from my fellow teammates. I am also dedicated to learning the game and becoming the best player I possibly can be for my team.
Now that you and the team have a year of working with Coach Hatcher under your belt, do you think this season will be different?
We were extremely fortunate when coach Hatcher and his staff were hired last year. We lost Jayson Foster, who was our outstanding quarterback, so we will have to find new ways of putting points on the board. Things will be different in that sense, but coach Hatcher is an exceptional coach and has brought back the winning mentality to Georgia Southern. He has taught us to win, not only on the field, but off the field as well. He has instilled a winning mentality that has been contagious to the entire team, and he is a well respected leader to all of us. The offense may have some new wrinkles, but the foundation he has implemented will stay strong.
Have you and the rest of the receivers been working with the quarterbacks on anything special this summer to get prepared for this season?
The summer is really important to get on the same page as the quarterbacks. Timing is a huge issue in this offense and every step is important. So we have been critiquing our routes and studying the habits of the quarterbacks. Coach Hatcher's offense is not difficult, but the quarterbacks and receivers must have a good feel for each other.
A lot of players have pre-game rituals...from listening to music to wearing the same pair of good luck socks... do you have anything special you do before a game?
I actually do not have any pre-game rituals. I tend to get calm and relaxed before a game. I usually doze off or fall asleep on the way to the game.
What game are you looking forward to the most?
I would have to say I am looking forward to the Furman game the most. Obviously there is an overwhelming excitement for the Georgia game, but the Paladins beat us the past two years. They are our big rival and that game means a lot to us.
What is the outlook for Marist HS football this year?
I really have not had a chance to talk to many people at Marist about the upcoming season. I did get back for their spring game and they looked a little rough because they graduated a huge class of seniors this past year. Hopefully they worked hard this summer and we will hope for the best in the fall.
You list golf and basketball as other hobbies besides football. What is your best round of golf score?
My best golf score is an 80. I got lucky, real lucky because a twelve year old could hang with me on a golf course.
