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Stephen Sene Interview
 Offensive Lineman - Liberty
 

By: Alex Khvatov

4/23/08
 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your measurements (height, weight, forty time and bench press)?

Stephen Sene:  6’5” 321, my forty time was a 5.29 and my bench was 24 times.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What schools expressed interest in you when you were coming out of high school?

Stephen Sene:  A lot, pretty much my top four schools were South Carolina, UVA, Virginia Tech and Clemson.  Almost every school in the SEC and some in the ACC were interested.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What made you choose South Carolina?

Stephen Sene:  It was my hometown team.  I am from Columbia, SC.  It felt right at the time.   My family could come to the games.  I was comfortable with it. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  How disappointing was it for you that things didn’t work out with the Gamecocks?

Stephen Sene:  It wasn’t the right fit for me anymore.  I went there because I wanted my family to be able to see the games.  I didn’t go there for myself.  It didn’t go the way I wanted it to.  I played in 2003 and started in two games.  I was named the starting left guard in the spring of 2004.  I got caught up in the whole atmosphere of playing at a big college.  I left because things weren’t right for me anymore after spending two years there.  I wasn’t disappointed with the way things worked out.  It benefited me to leave the program. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at Dodge City Community College in Kansas?

Stephen Sene:  I had to get out of my comfort zone, so I decided to play there.  On the third day of camp, I tore my MCL.  I didn’t play there at all.  I became an assistant OL coach there.  Liberty came to visit the campus, and I signed with them.  A lot of schools didn’t see me play, but they heard about me from my South Carolina days.  Liberty heard that I was at the Dodge City Community College.  I was looking at smaller colleges like Newberry and Presbyterian College.  I was looking at colleges that focused more on the Bible.  I grew up around the church.  I was a young pastor.  They had the religion classes that I was looking for.   

 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell an average fan about Liberty University in Virginia. 

Stephen Sene:  Liberty is a Baptist University.  You are definitely more of a student athlete here.  Everything is a lot different.  South Carolina secluded their athletes from regular students.  You would only see the fans when they would be cheering for you in the stands.  You meet the student body at Liberty.  You develop a better connection with the professors at a small school.  I came away with the degree.  The University focused on the spiritual aspect of life and that is what I was looking for.  This is the place where I belonged.  It is the best school that I have been at.

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Alex Khvatov:  What teams have shown interest in you during this draft process?

Stephen Sene:  I have been in contact and had interviews with the Browns, Jets and Steelers.  The teams that have shown the most interest in me are the Cardinals, the Seahawks and the Texans.  It is a crazy process.  It is something new.  I have never really been through something like this.  Playing football is my job.  It is just a crazy process, but it is exciting.

 

Alex Khvatov:  How have you prepared for the NFL Draft?

Stephen Sene:  Back in January and February, I was in Chicago working out with Tom and Bob Christian.  We worked on speed and strength.  Then I started getting calls from teams.  Now I have been working out on campus here at the school.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your Hula Bowl experience.

Stephen Sene:  I feel like it was an honor to be selected.  It was an amazing experience playing with guys at the same level as you and guys who have the same goal of reaching the NFL.  The speed of the game and playing under pressure in front of scouts was a challenge.  You have to work your hardest.  You have to win your spot because no one knew me from Liberty.  The first day of practice I was at third string.  Then the next day, the coach moved me from third string to starting RT.  I did pretty well in the game.  I played at a different position because I played LT for three years at my college.  Playing against talented players all week, I think that I adapted well to it all.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Did you get a chance to bond with any of the players at the Hula Bowl?

Stephen Sene:  I hung out with Brian Johnston from Gardner-Webb.  We are from the same conference.  It is hard to get to know someone in such a short time. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Tell me about your Pro Day.

Stephen Sene:  I think that some things could have been a lot better.  I did pretty well.  I would have liked to do a better job at the bench.  I jumped 33 inches on my vertical which was my best ever.  I ran a good 40 time.  Overall I did well. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths on the football field?

Stephen Sene:  I am definitely a smart and physical player.  I am a quick learner.  I try to win every block and every play.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game do you need to improve upon?

Stephen Sene:  Definitely, I need to get a lot stronger.  I have good upper body strength, but I need to build up my lower body strength which is the one thing that I lack.  I need to be able to recognize different fronts and raise my overall football IQ.

 

Alex Khvatov:  How does it feel to be a small fish in a large pond 

Stephen Sene:  I think that it is a good experience.  It is good for Liberty to have someone come from a small school like that.  If you could play, scouts will find you.  It is a fun journey.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are you going to have to do to make an NFL roster?

Stephen Sene:  Pay attention to the little things.  Make sure I do everything that is expected of me.  Giving it my all, not taking a day off or a play off.  I am a hard-worker.  If I continue to do what I have been doing, I have no doubt that I will make a roster.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is the toughest player that you have faced over your college career?

Stephen Sene:  I would say when I was at South Carolina; it was David Pollack from Georgia and also Marcus Spears from LSU.  They were the toughest players that I have played against.  Players at the Division I-AA level definitely don’t compare with the SEC athletes.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the highlight of your football career up to this point?

Stephen Sene:  Definitely this past season, when we ended up 8-3.  We won every game in our conference.  We won the Conference Championship which was a first for Liberty.  The bond that the players had.  Every week we were pretty much the underdog.  That is the most exciting thing that has happened to me.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is your favorite NFL team?

Stephen Sene:  Definitely, the Denver Broncos.  I have no ties with Colorado.  But when I was growing up, I was always cheering for the Broncos.  Even now, I am always looking for them on TV.  Watching Elway you always knew that you were in for a good game.  My brother and I enjoyed watching their talented OL.  They were small, but they had one of the most dominating lines in the league every year. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  Who is your favorite player?

Stephen Sene:  I like to watch everyone.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Which underclassman on your team should we keep an eye on in the future?

Stephen Sene:  Definitely senior running back Rashad Jennings.  He is a transfer from Pittsburgh.  He is a powerful back that will run straight through you and knock you down.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What do you enjoy most about football?

Stephen Sene:  It is definitely the exciting games.  I love playing games.  You are working your hardest to accomplish something.  You are working hard and having fun doing it.  It is definitely a great game.

 

Alex Khvatov:  What is the one thing in your daily life that you can’t live without?

Stephen Sene:  To be honest with you, it would have to be God.  I have to thank him for the opportunities that he has given me.  Everything that I have accomplished in life, I owe to him.  My life without him would be meaningless.  I will not have the peace and the joy without him.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Stephen, what makes you unique?

Stephen Sene:  I mean what makes me unique is the undeniable passion for people and for youth.  I am a youth ministry major.  I was a young pastor at downtown Lynchburg, Virginia.  I would love to have my own youth camp of all ages some day.  Like a regular camp where I would be able to show the gospel and Christ.  God has given me that passion for life. 

 

Alex Khvatov:  What are your hobbies?

Stephen Sene:  Other than my friends, my family and my girlfriend, I started playing the guitar about a year ago.  I am not very good yet, but I love the whole thing of playing music.

 

Alex Khvatov:  Finish the sentence, Stephen Sene is..

Stephen Sene:  A dedicated hard-worker who is trying to fulfill God’s will whether it is through football or any other aspect of life. 

 


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