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Rachel Shack Senior Profile
4/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
DURHAM, N.C. ? GoDuke.com recently sat down with women's lacrosse defender Rachel Shack for her senior profile. Shack discusses her favorite professional sports teams, her favorite food, who has had the most impact on her athletic career, plus much more.
GoDuke.com: What is your nickname?
Rachel Shack: My friends have thought up any and every variation on Shack. Some selected favorites include Love Shack, Shack Attack, Shacky, Baby Shaq and the coaching staff's go-to is Shacker.
GD: Why do you wear No. 12?
RS: I always wore No. 12 in basketball because of my childhood sports hero, Steve Wojciechowski, who played here at Duke. For me, he always symbolized leadership, heart and complete dedication. Always being the smallest one on the court, I tried to emulate how he played. When I had the opportunity to take No. 12 at Duke after my sophomore year, I grabbed it!
GD: What is your favorite professional team?
RS: I'm from Boston so this answer won't surprise anyone... it's a toss-up between Red Sox and Patriots. I'm glad the Celtics are doing well right now too, but I can't pretend I've been a diehard fan through the last few (bad) years. I am lucky enough to have seen two World Series championship teams in my four years at Duke... and a Super Bowl win here and there as well.
GD: Who is your favorite professional player outside your sport?
RS: It's hard for me to pick just one with all the great hometown teams. Top five?not including Big Papi (David Ortiz) or Tom Brady, those are a given ? would be: Jonathan Papelbon, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youkilis, Tedy Bruschi and Laurence Maroney.
GD: What's the last non-school related book you read?
RS: I read Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich. I was watching Pistol Pete highlights online for weeks after.
GD: What's your favorite TV show?
RS: I get really into junk TV and follow my selected shows intensely. Cashmere Mafia was my latest craze but it got canceled after seven episodes. Gossip Girl is also a favorite.
GD: What's your favorite food?
RS: Sushi. For dessert, I could eat ice cream every day.
GD: What are you planning on doing after graduation?
RS: I will be teaching in an inner-city school in New York City as a Teach for America corps member. I'm teaching in a bilingual classroom, so I will teach some subjects in Spanish and some in English.
GD: What is your dream job?
RS: In my next life, I want to be a Food Network TV star or a hip-hop dancer (maybe even at the same time). But for now, I'd like to climb the ranks in the business world, become a CEO and then use my power to become head of a foundation or a non-profit and be elected to the boards of some philanthropic organizations.
GD: Who's had the most impact on your life and why?
RS: My family. I'm lucky enough to have all four grandparents living in my hometown and a great immediately family too. My grandparents have taught me the true meaning of family and hard work, my parents have supported me through everything and my brothers are some of my best friends.
GD: Who's had the most impact on your athletic career and why?
RS: My parents have supported me and been my biggest fans, so that has had a huge impact on where I've been able to go with sports. Also, all the coaches that cut me in high school have had a tremendous impact on my career. I worked so hard to prove people wrong that I ended up being able to play a sport at Duke.
GD: What's the best advice you've ever received?
RS: My dad always tells me “Finish strong. How you finish is even more important than how you start.” I have tried to take that to heart in many parts of my life, including school and my athletic career.
GD: What's your favorite sport, other than your own, to watch on TV?
RS: Without a doubt, college basketball. Basketball was definitely my first love and I think the passion and spirit of the college game is really fun.
GD: What concert do you most want to attend that you never have?
RS: I've gotten really into country music since coming to Duke. So, I'd love to see a country concert outside in the summertime... Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts are my favorites.
GD: What do you do in your free time?
RS: A big part of my college experience has been tutoring in the Durham Public Schools. This semester, I've been going two mornings a week to help out at Southwest Elementary in their two-way bilingual education program with third and fourth grade. It's something I love to do and it is something that will prepare me for my next two years of teaching. Other than that, I like reading, watching college sports, and cooking when I have time.
Players Mentioned
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