Duck placekicker Jared Siegel is taking 13 credits this term at the University on his way to obtaining a degree in business administration. Though he officially has sophomore academic status, he believes he can graduate in less than four years and earn a post-graduate degree before leaving the University. He’s on the right track, claiming to have 16 college credits from AP classes taken in high school.
One thing is for sure — this man is all about taking care of business.
He’s keeping up, and not just in capitalist terms, either. In addition to his scholastic endeavors, Siegel is quickly becoming recognized as a force to be reckoned with, serving as a placekicker on the Duck football team. Siegel scored the first points in the Ducks’ season opener with a field goal in the first 10 minutes. He’s also known for his game-winning field goal in the last 12 seconds of the game against USC.
But weekends aren’t a time to relax from the daily pressures of school and football practice, Siegel said.
“Basically, I don’t have a weekend,” he said.
Weekends start at 2 p.m. on Friday, when the football team gets to the stadium to leave for an “away” game. It doesn’t end until Sunday at 4 a.m.
If he were ever to have some free time, Siegel would “grab some food and lay down for a little bit” at his apartment in Duck’s Village, across the street from Autzen Stadium.
Free time is a rare luxury for Siegel. One reason he chose to attend the University was for its proximity to his hometown of Sacramento, so he would be able to visit. He hasn’t been home since July.
Fortunately, the Thanksgiving holiday will give Siegel a few days to return home and visit with his family and girlfriend.
But Christmas with loved ones looks doubtful for Siegel.
“For the past few years, the team has been in a hotel on Christmas,” Siegel said. “It really depends on what bowl we get into. We’ve got a couple more games to play before that becomes an issue.”
He said he would really like a Jan. 3 bowl game — which this season will decide the national title.
Though he hasn’t been home, family and friends have traveled to see Siegel in action. His mom came up to see his first game against Wisconsin, and his dad was there to see Siegel end the USC game with a kick.
Siegel’s career has gained attention at the University. But when it comes to future play, Siegel said he isn’t getting his hopes up for a professional career.
“If I had the opportunity to play at the next level, it would be a dream come true,” Siegel said.
He said at the same time, placekickers are rarely put into the NFL, so he’s not counting on it. Instead, Siegel said he wants to make the most of his time at the University, “education-wise.” His track to graduate in less than four years comes from a desire to bring prestige to a University he has quickly grown to love.
“I want to graduate and go on to do something productive with my life,” Siegel said. “I want to just be a generally good person that brings a good name to the school with my success. Nothing too miraculous.”
He’s not certain what area of business he wants to go into, but said he’s figuring that out.
Siegel started playing football because soccer just wasn’t physical enough, he said. Siegel said he remembered getting the red and yellow cards in soccer for contact that was too rough.
“Football has a whole different mentality (from soccer),” Siegel said. “In football the fans cheer, and the coach gives you a thumbs up when you really hit someone.”
Before playing football, Siegel was involved in his high school rugby team. He said the team he played with his junior year could be considered the “best team in North America.” That year his team upset the No. 3 team in the world after winning the national championships.
Siegel has seen his share of athletic success. He said he was offered spots on college football teams throughout the country.
“Kicking is a unique position,” Siegel said, “and the demand isn’t high.” He said universities only offer scholarships to kickers every three to four years.
Siegel liked that the Ducks are in the Pacific-10 Conference. Oregon’s “really good facilities” for athletes were also inviting, he said.
Also, the camaraderie among the teammates impressed Siegel .
“Everyone was a big group of friends,” Siegel said, remembering his first time seeing the Ducks.
Siegel also said he’d never seen a city rally around a team like Eugene does for the Ducks.
“I couldn’t believe it. When I drove into town, I saw billboards of the players and I thought, ‘Wow, are you kidding me?’”
Siegel begins yet another busy weekend today with the team’s trip to Berkeley.
“(The Ducks) are heading in the right direction,” Siegel said. “I’d like to be a participant on some teams that are remembered years from now.”