Sept. 20, 2004

NEW ORLEANS, La. - A native of Metairie, La., Lane Macaluso came to Tulane prior to the 2000 season. After redshirting his first season and playing sparingly in 2001, he has found a starting spot as the Green Wave's center on field goal, PAT and punt formations.

On pace to complete his degree in May 2005, Macaluso looks back at his decision to attend Tulane, his playing experience and his plans for the future.

What is Your Major?

Finance and legal studies. I'm not really sure yet what I want to do. I'd really like to work in the sports industry. I couldn't tell you where - maybe with a professional sports team or with a college. I'm really open to anything, so hopefully within the next year, I'll figure out what I want to do and find a situation that's best for me.

What Is Your Favorite Book?

I read The Civil War. It's actually about the Army/Navy football game, and it's an excellent good book. It hits close to home since we play both Army and Navy. So I have a first-hand look of what it's like to be in Annapolis to play Navy and be in New York to play Army. It was about what those players go through and how different it is for them as opposed to what we do here at Tulane and probably everywhere else in the country.

What Is Your Favorite On-Campus Activity?

Really, most of my time is spent on the football field. I don't' really do a whole lot around campus, I live off campus and since I grew up in Metairie, I've never lived on campus.

Being from nearby, did you ever envision yourself coming to Tulane?

Ever since I was a little boy, I was a huge Tulane fan. My dad had season tickets, so when I was younger, I'd always go with him. As I got older, a friend of my dad was in the Greenbackers, so we used to go to the games and play our own version of football games in the Superdome ramps during halftime.

I grew up loving Tulane, so it was one of my goals. When I was little, I had some green helmets with a "T" on it. I dreamed about playing football for Tulane in the Superdome.

As you look back on your career, has it measured up to your dreams?

Oh definitely. It's been great. I got to play at a high level, play against some great teams, and I've been able to do it close to home so that my family could see me.

If You Could Play Another Sport At Tulane, What Would It Be?

I'd probably play basketball. I was pretty good player growing up. I could shoot pretty well, and I think it would be fun.

Who Are The People Who Have Influenced Your Athletic Career Most?

Both of my parents have, mainly because they always encouraged me to play as many sports as I wanted to. They had no problem letting me play football, baseball, basketball, soccer, or whatever it was. They had no problem bringing me to practice. They made all of my games, and they were always there for me.

What Class Would You Recommend To Other Students?

I took a fundamentals of acting class that was really good. It let you be yourself, and it was fun. You could be yourself, you were acting and its not too serious. It's a class I'd definitely recommend to others because it helps you open up and gives you the chance to meet other people.

Who Is Your Favorite Actor?

I like Will Ferrell. I usually try to catch his and Adam Sandler's movies. They make you laugh and I enjoy their type of movies.

Do You Have A Favorite Food or Meal?

Cheeseburgers. I love cheeseburgers. I could eat them for lunch and dinner every day.

What Is Your Dream Vacation Destination?

I guess I'd have to say somewhere in Hawaii. We went to Hawaii a couple of years ago for the Hawaii Bowl, and that was really nice, but I'd like to see some of the other islands.

Coincidentally, I'm getting married next July, so me and my fiancé, Candice, are talking about different places to go for our honeymoon. I think Hawaii may be the way to go, just to go to the different islands.

If You Could Have Dinner With Any Three People In History, Who Would They Be?

With all due respect to the numerous people throughout history, I really never had much of an opportunity to spend much time with my grandparents growing up. One of my grandfathers was deceased before I was born, the other died right after I was born, and both of my grandmothers passed away when I was barely into my teens.

I'd just really like to have dinner with all four of them. I'm really strong with my family, so I'd really like to talk to them and see them just one more time.

What's Been Your Favorite Moment As A Tulane Football Player?

Besides winning the Hawaii Bowl, which I think would be anyone who played on that team's favorite moment, I remember something from my first year as a starter. We were playing TCU up in Fort Worth, and I've got some family up in Dallas. So there was a pretty big crowd there for me. My parents' brothers and sisters were there, and I made a pretty big tackle and recovered a fumble.

From a personal standpoint, that's probably been the best moment I've had.

Being From The New Orleans Area, What Are Three Words You Would Use To Describe Mardi Gras?

Out of control!!!

What Is Your Favorite TV Show?

I watch a lot of TV - probably too much TV - but my favorite show right now is "Nip Tuck.". It comes on FX on Tuesday nights. But I watch Sports Center every day of my life, but sports is my life. Sports is probably 80 percent of what I watch.

What Is Your Favorite Sport To Watch On TV?

Football, no question. It doesn't matter if it's professional or college. There have been times when I'll watch the college games beginning at 11 in the morning until it goes off the air at 11 at night on Saturday. Then I'll wake up on Sunday, watch all the pro games starting at noon until the last one ends around 10. And, on Monday night, you've got to watch Monday Night Football. There have been weekends where I'll watch 20 to 25 hours of football.

Do You Have A Favorite Movie?

My favorite movie is The Longest Yard? It's an older football movie starring Burt Reynolds. I'm not exactly sure when it came out - sometime in the 70s. He's a football star who winds up in prison, and he gets up a gang of football players form the jail to play the guards, and the prisoners win.

What Kind Of Music Do You Listen To?

I primarily listen to country music. But when I drive, I like to listen to sports talk radio.

If You Could Go To Any Concert Ever Performed, Who Would You See?

I would have to say Elvis Presley, I'm a pretty big Elvis fan, especially the early years.

Do You Have A Pregame Routine To Get Focused Or Pumped?

I have many superstitions or whatever you want to call them. It starts when we get on the bus. I've got to sit on the left side of the bus. Once we get there, I always get dressed the same way - from my socks to my ankle braces to my shoes. I do everything the same way.

Then, before we go out to warm up before the game, I usually take a teaspoon of Pepto-Bismol. I took it a long time ago to help calm my stomach down before a game, and I played well. So now, I do it every time out.

If Tulane Could Beat One School In Football, Who Would It Be?

LSU. No doubt about it. I've been anti-LSU for most of my life - not so much in other sports - but especially in football. I think it's a shame that we can't play them every year like we used to, but I had a chance to go to the game back in 2001. I didn't get to play then, and I really wish I could get a chance to do that.

How Has Being A Student-Athlete At Tulane Helped or Changed You?

I came here as a walk-on in 2000, didn't play but one snap my first two years, and then eventually earned a scholarship. In my situation, it taught me to never quit and work hard to achieve your goals. Hard work is the most important thing you can do. I went from being a walk-on who never played to being a scholarship player with a starting position, and that just shows you what hard work will do for you.