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Cornerback Mike Richardson

Nov. 3, 2006

A veteran in the Notre Dame secondary, fifth-year senior Mike Richardson is in second year as a starter for the Irish. A three-year letterwinner, he has played in 43 games and earned 18 starting appearances. Richardson has 137 career tackles, four interceptions, and 15 pass breakups. He made a career-high nine tackles in wins over Purdue and Tennessee. His signature came in 2005 was against the Boilermakers as he came up with nine tackles (all solo), recovered a fumble and had one pass interception. Currently enrolloed in graduate studies, Richardson received his degree in marketing from the Mendoza College of Business. Gameday's Greg Touney gives Irish fans a chance to get to know Dan Santucci.

Touney: What are you studying and why are you interested in it?
Richardson: I majored in marketing when I was an undergraduate. I was just always interested in business and how things work and those aspects.

Touney: What is your favorite class and why?
Richardson: That's a tough one. I would say my Marketing Research class was my most fun class because it involved a lot of group work and you always had to do a lot of projects. It was a simulation of what happens when you market a product.

Touney: What has been your most difficult class and why?
Richardson: That would have to be Macroeconomics which all business majors have to take in their sophomore year.

Touney: Do you have any nicknames? What are they?
Richardson: A lot of guys on the team call me "Uncle Mike" because I've been around here for so long and I'm one of the older guys. Actually, some of the older guys started that when I was a freshman because they thought I looked old.

Touney: As the "old man" of the team then, what sort of advice have you given to the younger members of the secondary?
Richardson: You just try to guide them to the best of your ability. When they make mistakes, you just try to pick them up. You let them know that it's alright to make mistakes.

Touney: What has been the most embarrassing moment in your athletic career?
Richardson: When I was in seventh grade and on my AAU basketball team, I actually shot a basket into my own goal. It was right after halftime when you come back onto the court, and it was pretty embarrassing.

Touney: What other schools did you consider before coming to Notre Dame, and what made you choose Notre Dame?
Richardson: I was considering Wake Forest, Stanford, Florida and Louisville. I chose Notre Dame because it seemed like the best fit and best mold for what I wanted in college with academics and athletics combined.

Touney: To date, what has been the highlight of your Notre Dame career?
Richardson: The one that made me feel the best was getting an interception against USC last year because it was such a big game. It really boosted my confidence.

Touney: Who were your sports idols as a kid and why?
Richardson: I always idolized Jerry Rice because I wanted to be a wide receiver, and he played for the 49ers, which was one of my favorite teams back then. He's one of the best players of all-time.

Touney: Who has been your biggest non-sports role model and why?
Richardson: My parents - they always help me out with all the decisions I make. They're always there to support me in whatever I do.

Touney: As a football player, is there any one player you modeled your game after or has helped you out the most?
Richardson: There's not really one player that I've modeled my game after. I've always tried to take a little bit from all of the greats, like Deion Sanders, and all the other great corners at the next level.

Touney: What is one thing in your life that you cannot live without?
Richardson: My car. It's the one thing I've always wanted and once I got it, you couldn't keep me out of it - I was always going somewhere.

Touney: What is the best advice that you have ever been given and who gave it to you?
Richardson: Probably from my dad, giving me advice on how to react to certain situations dealing with sports and in life overall.

Touney: Where is the toughest stadium that you've played in as a college football player?
Richardson: I'd have to say Neyland Stadium in Tennessee. It was the loudest and seemed so much more massive than any other stadium I had been in.

Touney: Who is the best athlete that you have ever competed against?
Richardson: Arnez Battle, when I was a freshman. I don't know if that was because my talent level isn't where it is now, but he made me look pretty bad.

Touney: What CD in your collection or song on your iPod would surprise people the most?
Richardson: Probably Linkin Park in general.

Touney: What is one thing about you that might surprise people?
Richardson: Most people think that I'm pretty quiet, but when you get to know me, I open up a lot. I actually like to talk a lot.

Touney: What is your favorite place on campus?
Richardson: It would have to be the dining hall.

Touney: Is there a certain one you like better?
Richardson: I always liked the South Dining Hall. It always seemed to have a bigger selection.

Touney: If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go and why?
Richardson: I've always been fascinated with Japan. I don't know why. I've always wanted to see what it would be like to be around that area and a different culture like that.

Touney: How do you balance your academic and football workloads?
Richardson: It takes a lot of planning. You always have to keep on top of your academics.

Touney: If you could have one super power, what would it be and why?
Richardson: Let's see...I wish I could teleport. That way, I wouldn't have to worry about time and if I wanted to be some place, I could be there immediately.

Touney: What was your favorite TV show growing up as a kid? And nowadays?
Richardson: I always remember watching Sportscenter ever since I was small. Now, I watch a lot of "Nip/Tuck."

Touney: What book has earned a permanent spot on your bookshelf?
Richardson: Friday Night Lights. It's a book that took me so long to read, but I finally finished it - it's kind of a long book.

Touney: Do you have a favorite cartoon character?
Richardson: I always liked Bugs Bunny when I was little. I don't know why - he just always seemed slick and could get away with a lot of stuff.

Touney:If you scored a touchdown and did not have to worry about being flagged for excessive celebration, how would you celebrate?
Richardson: I would definitely throw the ball into the crowd, probably into the student section.

Touney: If you were a contestant on "Jeopardy," what potential category would you dominate?
Richardson: I'd probably dominate in a geography category because I used to study different countries, states, capitals and whatnot.

Touney: If you were stranded on an island and could only eat one meal, only listen to one song, and spend you time with only one person; what would you eat, what would you listen to and who would you pick?
Richardson: I love waffles, so I'd have to have that. The song I'd want to listen to would be something off an Eminem CD, and the person would be my girlfriend.

Touney: If you had the chance to golf with anyone in history, who would be in your foursome, in addition to yourself, and why?
Richardson: Tiger Woods because I'd like to see how close I could get to him, even though I know I'd be pretty bad. The other two would be Dr. Martin Luther King and Jerry Rice.

Touney: When your football career is over, what do you see yourself doing?
Richardson: Starting a family and maybe trying to open up a business with somebody.

Touney: Describe what it feels like on game day and playing in Notre Dame Stadium.
Richardson: It's exhilarating. The first time you come out and run out of the tunnel, you get chills, and the first time you actually play on the field, it feels like your heart is beating one hundred times faster.

Touney: Other than the actual game itself, what is the best part of home football weekends?
Richardson: Not having to travel late at night like you do after an away game when you get back at three in the morning and have to wake up the next morning.

Touney: What is your favorite thing about playing for Notre Dame?
Richardson: The exposure you get and the fans - the people that notice you.