Behind the Facemask: Spencer Whipple
June 1, 2011
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — With the 2011 season fast approaching and an opening match-up with Maryland on the horizon, it’s time to learn more about the Miami Hurricanes football team. Every day until Fall camp begins, we’ll introduce you to a Hurricane.
Spencer Whipple | Quarterback | Senior | Miami, Fla.
The U is history. The symbol sticks out in my mind, the orange and the green. Since I was little, I was always a fan. It’s a very unique university, just the tradition we have here and the followers is something really special, and since I’ve been here I’ve really realized how special it is when these old players come back and how important it is to everyone.
I secretly wish that I would get an opportunity to pursue an acting career. I really want to get into coaching because football is obviously a huge part of my life, but these past couple years I’ve been taking theater courses and that would be kinda cool.
I think a lot of the skills are interchangeable between football and acting. When you’re on the field as a quarterback, there’s times when you might not feel the greatest and things aren’t going your way, but you have to make sure that everyone one doesn’t see it and you have to instill confidence in them, and let them know you’re ready to play. Much is the same in theater, when you have to step in another person’s shoes and play their part without being the character in real life, and think to yourself, “what would they do in this situation?” and create that persona and change your personality. There are a lot of skills in each, and a lot of similarities.
When I was six years old I was living in Rhode Island. I was a big football fan because of my dad, and I loved the teams he was coaching for. The same things I thought today about football I thought then, how important it was to me and how much I loved the game.
Competition is great. It’s what makes everything work. It’s what brings out the best in people, when they compete. There’s a lot of it going on here, and that’s what’s going to make us a great team, is competition.
A good offensive line can win you a lot of games, and really demoralize a defense of the other team. It’s the foundation of an offense; almost everything revolves around them – their play and their style. If you have a good offensive line, you can run the ball and pass-blocking sets the tempo. If not the most important, they’re one of the most important parts of the team.
I’ll never forget coming to the U, coming to Miami. Realizing I had an opportunity to play here was an unbelievable experience for me. I remember the first days like it was yesterday when I walked in here and saw these players and coaches and actually thought to myself, “Can I really play with these guys?” They were so talented and just because I was such a fan and with the legacy and all, I’ll never forget it. It’s been incredible and such a great opportunity.
Transferring to Miami has been a great decision, looking back on it. I’m so happy with the decision I made and how many new things I’ve learned and the experiences I’ve had. Playing for my dad was a great opportunity. Seeing the transition of a new coaching staff has been great; I’ve learned a lot of new things.
Everybody can criticize everything. There will be critics in anything you do. Honestly what I’ve learned is it can either ruin you or make you better than you were before. It comes down to the way you handle criticism. You control your attitude, but you can’t control others criticizing you. You can use it to your advantage, or you can let it destroy and demoralize you. It’s an important part of your life, and I’ve learned that these past couple years.
I didn’t think I’d ever be playing here, honestly. There was a time when I was at UMass when I was thinking, after transferring once, I love football so much that I had never been able to play on a big stage and actually be in the mix. Then a year later I came here. If you were to tell me that I’d be playing here a few years ago, I would have said you’re crazy. It’s been awesome. I never thought, but I’m so happy I’m here and I’m really enjoying it.
We are all in this together to win. It’s been a year like none I’ve ever had in college. I’m really excited the way things are working with Coach Golden and his staff, and the way players are buying in. I’m really excited to see where this program is going, because I think it’s really coming together and they’re really doing a great job.
I was raised in about six different areas of the U.S. I lived up north for awhile, I moved around a lot. I was raised to adapt to new environments and always be on the move and meeting new people and experiencing new personalities and figuring out how to fit in and that kind of transition period. It’s really benefited me, just meeting all these new people and having relationships in many different places across the country, and I’m really fortunate I had the opportunity to be in so many places.
Legacy defines the University of Miami. Obviously it’s one of the schools that has a foundation, and it’s something we’re all proud to play for and be a part of. To see all the old tradition, and everything that’s made this university what it is, means a lot. You think about it, every time I see the symbol there are flashes in my mind of all the old teams that won so many national championships. It’s a big part of what it was then, and it’s a big part of what it is now, and what we’re trying to get accomplished.
Make sure to check in for a new Behind the Facemask profile each and everyday in preparation for the Hurricane football season opener. For a review of all past profiles, check out Behind the Facemask Central.
