Profiles of senior Muhlenberg athletes are published in game programs in the sports of field hockey, football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, baseball, softball, lacrosse and tennis, usually on that sport’s Senior Day.

As part of the Year in Review, here are some of the best responses in the Q&A profiles from the fall athletes. Tomorrow: winter and spring athletes.

Chris Galletta, Football

How did you get started playing football and what’s your first memory of playing? I began playing football when I was in third grade, and my earliest memory was when I got called for a holding penalty during a game and began crying.

Ryan Murphy, Football

What’s it like being teammates with Chris Galletta? It’s been interesting to say the least. He’s the only person I know who, within five minutes of meeting him, will ask if you want him to help you with your resume. He stands by all of his opinions 100%, and it is impossible to even try to win an argument with him. But in all seriousness, he is very smart and will be very successful after the season. I wish him the very best.

Garrett Bisbing, Football

Your dad played as a lineman for Muhlenberg. Did you always want to follow in his footsteps? My dad was an all-conference player for the Mules and was a part of a Centennial Conference championship himself. I grew up coming to Muhlenberg on Saturdays for football games. I never really thought about coming here until my senior year. It’s nice to be able to say that we both were a part of championship teams at the same school.

Tim Vogel, Football

Who has had the biggest influence on you throughout your life? My grandparents have easily been my biggest influence throughout my life. My grandparents came over from Ireland to create a new and better life for their family. This taught me that if you have a dream and work as hard as you can to achieve that dream, anything is possible. 

Dan Deighan, Football

What’s one thing on your bucket list? I want to learn how to play guitar. Ryan Murphy tells me he taught Carlos Santana everything he knows, so I’m looking forward to taking lessons from him.

Bryan Wilson, Football

Do you have anything embarrassing on your iPod? I have to admit that I mix it up sometimes and have Justin Bieber on my iPod. Many people would consider this embarrassing, but I am a full-fledged Belieber.

Shane O’Connor, Football

What’s the most memorable game you’ve played in during your Muhlenberg career? Beating Gettysburg in overtime during my sophomore year as well as clinching the conference championship against Ursinus at home were great games to be a part of. However, I would have to say the Franklin & Marshall game this year for Duke’s 100^th win was the most memorable. He is an amazing coach and experiencing that with him is something I will remember forever.

John Merklinger, Football

What’s it like being teammates with Shane O’Connor? “Shane-O” is more than just a teammate to me. He is more like a brother – someone who I can always count on. Shane is one of the most talented ball players I’ve ever played with or seen. He was a quarterback in high school and had never played defense, but his transition to safety really shows how gifted he is. Since making the move to the dark side, he’s become one of the best defensive backs in the Centennial Conference. He also saves lives during the summer down at the Jersey Shore as a lifeguard. He puts David Hasselhoff to shame with his killer good looks and “Dude, I’m such a beach bro,” attitude.

Kristen Dornenburg, Field Hockey

How did you get started playing field hockey and what’s your first memory of playing? I started playing in fourth grade because my sister played and obviously I wanted to be just like her. I don’t know if this is my first memory, but one of my earlier ones is losing to one of our elementary school rivals, Chatham Park, and vowing never to play goalie again to my coach and parents. Obviously, I took that vow very seriously.

Nate Squire, Men’s Soccer

Tell us about your internship with Lehigh Valley Animal Hospital. Coach Topping got me in touch with Dr. Ervin, the Moravian soccer coach’s wife, and I’ve been shadowing at Lehigh Valley Animal Hospital ever since. It’s been a great experience – I’m not only getting to learn a lot but I’m also enjoying it immensely. As I’m writing this, I’m about to head in to see Topper’s dog get neutered … a little revenge for those preseason fitness workouts!

Kyle Plifka, Men’s Soccer

What’s one possession you couldn’t live without? Jon Majoros.

Jillian Moretto, Women’s Soccer

How did you get started playing soccer and what’s your first memory of playing? Kicking balls at my older brother was always a hobby of mine, so when I discovered it was an actual sport, I was all for it. One of my earliest memories of playing is running around aimlessly on the field in a recreational league, where the thrill of scoring a goal and orange slices during halftime were the highlight to every Saturday. 

Alyssa Meola, Women’s Soccer

How do you get pumped up before a game? I usually listen to music and I like to jump around a lot and sing the lyrics during warmups.  When I’m on the bus listening to my iPod, I always listen to Al Pacino’s speech from “Any Given Sunday” and Kenny Chesney’s song “The Boys of Fall,” which includes inspirational speeches from many different coaches. Both of these speeches remind me that being a college athlete is not only a privilege that I am lucky enough to have, but also that one day I will no longer have the opportunity to play, so I need to take advantage of what I have left.