U SPORTS News

U SPORTS sits down with one key athlete, coach, and staff member of each U SPORTS athletic program in our new interview series “Getting to know…”

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  • Name: Christian Hernandez
  • School: MacEwan University
  • Sport: Men’s soccer
  • Position: Forward / midfielder
  • Year of eligibility: Second
  • Program: Science
  • Hometown: Edmonton, Alta.

 1. What attracted you to MacEwan University?

Previous teammates of mine were on the squad, so it helped make my decision easy. I played with Lahai Mansaray and Sam Foster at the youth level.

2. What’s your favourite memory, and your greatest athletic achievement as a U SPORTS student-athlete?

My first multi-goal game came in my first year against Saskatchewan. I think it was only my third university game, so scoring twice was extra memorable. Getting recognized as a MacEwan star of the week for that meant a lot, too.

3. Where are you hoping your path will take you after university?

I’m aiming for a successful career after getting my degree, but I haven’t decided my exact path yet.

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4. Who’s had the greatest influence on your athletic career?

My dad and brothers. My dad played soccer for the University of Mexico City and I have three older brothers who also played competitively. My younger brother played for Team Canada’s U17 squad.

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5. Who is someone in the sports world, past or present, with whom you’d love to have dinner with? Why?

Cristiano Ronaldo. He has accomplished so much and continues to strive for more. I’m looking forward to watching him in the World Cup.

6. What is your pre-game ritual? Do you have any superstitions/idiosyncrasies around preparing yourself for a game?

I always put my right shoe on first. For some reason, I’ve always done that.

7. What’s your go-to song to get pumped up for practice or a game?

Anuel AA – Sola, which is a Spanish song. It gets me in a good mood before a game because soccer’s not always so serious; it’s about having fun.

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8. What’s your favourite social media account to follow?

Cristiano Ronaldo, of course. Every soccer player wishes they had his lifestyle, so it’s fun to follow along.

9. If you could try another sport, what would it be and why?

Baseball because I think I’d be good at it. I’ve played a couple of times for fun and I’m a pretty good catcher. The running from soccer also transfers over.

10. What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you as an athlete?

One time I wore the wrong shorts to a soccer game, which didn’t exactly match the uniforms of the rest of the team. I wore blue and they wore black, but we just rolled with it.