Men’s Soccer
Monday Morning Quarterback: The top 10 moments of the U SPORTS fall season
U SPORTS sits down with one key athlete, coach, and staff member of each U SPORTS athletic program in our interview series “Getting to know…”
- Name: Jean-Michel Dako
- School: Université de Moncton
- Sport: Soccer
- Position: Forward
- Year of eligibility: 4
- Program: Finance
- Hometown: Quebec City
1. What attracted you to the Université de Moncton?
I made the decision to play at the Université de Moncton because I wanted to make my dad happy. He’s a professor at the school and I knew that he’d be glad to see his son play as often as possible. I also wanted to help rebuild the soccer program and show that hard work can make a big difference in a team.
2. What’s your favourite memory, and your greatest athletic achievement as a U SPORTS student-athlete?
My best memory and my greatest achievement was in the 2018 season. Our team was able to qualify for the AUS championship for the first time since 2012. This gave me a tremendous sense of accomplishment and I'm sure the other guys would say the same. I still have one year of eligibility and I intend to make good use of it next year.
3. Where are you hoping your path will take you after university?
I’m interested in the new Canadian Premiere League (CPL) starting in 2019 in Canada, but I know that I have to multiply my efforts if I really want to continue my career as a soccer player. Still, the creation of this league sort of revived my dreams.
4. Who’s had the greatest influence on your athletic career?
I have to give full credit to the soccer High Performance Academy in New Brunswick. I was admitted to this program at the age of 16 and through structured coaching, I became the player I am now. My mother was also a great influence because she encouraged me to be mindful of my goals and she helped me when I needed moral support.
5. Who is someone in the sports world, past or present, with whom you’d love to have dinner with? Why?
Thierry Henry, without a doubt. He had everything a forward needed in the world of soccer to be dominant and dangerous on the field. I’d like to ask him how he became such a confident player.
6. What is your pre-game ritual? Do you have any superstitions/idiosyncrasies around preparing yourself for a game?
I like to say a little prayer before taking the field. It allows me to relax and thank God for the opportunity and for my good health. Afterwards, three big breaths and I'm good to go.
7. What’s your go-to song to get pumped up for practice or a game?
I don’t have a preference. But I do like listening to the MHD song Ensemble (“Together”). It gives me a sense of belonging and makes me feel closer to my team, that I’m going to battle with.
8. What’s your favourite social media account to follow?
Memphis Depay. He’s an exceptional player and he publishes great photos on his Instagram account.
9. If you could try another sport, what would it be and why?
I’ve always liked basketball and during our off-season, I play often. I like it because it’s a really intense sport where you have to be good at several aspects of the game to be dominant.
10. What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you as an athlete?
Once, I almost wet my shorts when I received a ball between my legs... that happens to everyone, right?