Colorado State University Athletics
In the Spotlight: Tommie Hill
10/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 17, 2008
By Stuart Buchanan
Athletic Media Relations
Senior defensive end Tommie Hill says that he wears the number 91 because “nine and one equal ten, perfect ten.” And that’s a perfect way of summing up Hill’s season through five games. He has recorded 14 tackles, three of which were sacks, and one interception which set up a field goal in last week’s conference-opening victory over UNLV.
Even though Hill is on pace for one of his best seasons of his career and has the look of a future NFL player, he has other plans.
“If I don’t play professionally, which I’m not banking on,” Hill said. “I want to go into security, and then later on into coaching.”
Hill, who started out playing football in seventh grade in order to relieve himself of anger, received scholarships to eight colleges, with Colorado, Nebraska and Oregon being three of the eight. But what Hill liked most about the Rams in comparison to the other schools was the coaching staff.
In the rare occasion Hill has free time he likes to spend it hanging out with his friends, watching movies or spending time with his girlfriend, Ashley Munoz who is the catcher for the CSU softball team.
“My favorite movie is Forrest Gump.”
Hill has one ritual and it comes down to when he is doing an interview.
“I never talk about losing,” Hill said. “I always expect to win. I’m not like people and say ‘if we win’ it’s when we win.”
Hill prepares for each game by trying to calm himself down.
“I just kind of hang out,” Hill said. “I get in my zone. I’m always kind of a hyper guy so I just kind of calm myself down”
Lil Jon and Rob Zombie are the artists Hill listens to before each game.
The new defense is really working out in Hills favor as he approaches the CSU top 10 list in career sacks, he currently has 13½.
“It seems like we are attacking a lot more as far as pressure and blitzing, Hill said. “We just have a different bounce and a different enthusiastic feel to it, so I like that.”
Another change that came with the new coaching staff was the appointment of season-long captains for the first time since 1992. Hill’s teammates voted him as a captain.
“It’s a great honor,” Hill said. “They didn’t have to pick me; I don’t know what I did for them to choose me.”
Just like senior safety Michael Pagnotta, Hill also predicted a very successful season for the Rams.
“We’re going to compete for the championship against TCU, Utah, and BYU,” Hill said. “And a bowl game with a win.”
