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XI Questions: Tenzin Rampa

07/10/2006, 8:48pm CDT
By ERIC ANDERSON

UW-Milwaukee/Princeton-56ers midfielder

Age: 20 (born Dec. 17, 1985).
Hometown (high school): Madison (West).
Measurements: Height, weight: 5-foot-8, 160 pounds.
Teams: UW-Milwaukee; Princeton-56ers.
Statistics: UW-Milwaukee — Totals of 1-2-4 in 28 career games (20 starts) through two seasons, one game-winning goal. Princeton-56ers — Totals of 1-2-4 in 13 games (10 starts) in 2005. Madison West — Career totals of 31-29-91 in four-year varsity career.
Favorite clubs: Barcelona, Juventus.

I. What's the best goal you have ever seen?

Arsenal vs Manchester United, Sept. 30, 2000. Thierry Henry received the ball with his back turned to goal and he flicks it up and volleys it to the back post upper 90.

II. Your father, Tenzin Trinley, is from Tibet, which means that you're eligible to play for the Tibetan national team, though the team is not recognized by FIFA. Are you interested in playing for them?

I have always dreamed about representing my country whether it be for the United States or for Tibet. Right now my primary focus is UWM soccer, but after college I would like to try out for the Tibetan national team.

III. Who's the best player you've played with or against?

The best player I have played against would be (Columbus Crew midfielder) Danny Szetela. My Yahara team played his U-16 U.S. national team at the Dallas Cup. At his age he had great skill, touch and strength on the ball.

IV. Who is UW-Milwaukee's biggest rival? If it's not UW, what are those games like for a Madison native?

Our biggest rivals are UW-Madison and Marquette. Because my teammates and I know a lot of the players on both of these teams and of how close our universities are together, it makes for good competition. This year we'll be in Madison and Marquette will be at Engelmann and I expect two hard-fought games.

V. What's your most memorable moment as a player?

I have been blessed to have many great experiences as a soccer player, but my most memorable one happened just last year. My UWM team was playing Butler in the Horizon League quarterfinals and I scored the game-winning header off of a cross from Dale Weiler. A lot of hard work went into preparing for that game and I was happy that it paid off.

VI. You and your father appeared in the 1997 Martin Scorsese-directed movie Kundun, about the 14th Dalai Lama, who was forced into exile in 1959, nine years after China's invasion of Tibet. What are your top memories from that experience, and do you have a future in acting?

It was a great opportunity to learn more about my Tibetan culture and history. The film was shot in Morocco and I had a great time exploring the country. The experience also brought me closer to my father and we have a strong bond because of it. My most memorable moment would be during the first night of shooting one of my scenes, Scorsese was constantly yelling at me to get my lines right. He'd say "C'mon kid, I need more anger and emotion!" He's probably never had to ask that from his actors before.

VII. What are your expectations for the second season of the Princeton-56ers, personally and for the team?

We have a great group of talented players and I expect us to win the Midwest Division and then win the national championship. Personally, I just hope to contribute my best performance day in and day out.

VIII. If you were creating a scouting report about Tezin Rampa, what would it say?

Quick, tricky, hard-working and relentless.

IX. Have you met the Dalai Lama? If so, tell us a few things about him and what your interaction with him was like?

I have met him a few times when I was really young and I don't remember too much. My father has a good relationship with him because he was his Tibetan-to-English translator during the '60s and '70s. When I was born he took me to the Dalai Lama to be given a name. He gave me his first name, Tenzin. Today, I believe the Dalai Lama to be a very pure, kind and compassionate person.

 

X. Who's going to win the World Cup?

Brazil will most likely win again, but I hope the U.S. do very well. I am also a big South Korea fan and hope they do well also.

XI. Your all-time Madison-area starting XI?

Goalkeeper: Ryan Germann, Madison West (American University).
Defenders: Travis Phillips, DeForest (UW-Milwaukee); Greg Jones, Madison West (Western Illinois); Reed Cooper, Madison West (West Virginia); Ian Hoelker, Middleton (former UW-Milwaukee).
Midfielders: Aaron Hohlbein, Middleton (UW); Tenzin Rampa, Madison West (UW-Milwaukee); Tyler Guse, Middleton (Yale); Trevor Banks, Madison Memorial (Old Dominion).
Forwards: Jed Hohlbein, Middleton (former UW); Nick Van Sicklen, Madison West (former UW).
Subs: Keenan Newallo, Curt Zastrow, Pat Bauch, Dan Genter, Charlie White, Ryan Denholm.

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Tag(s): XI Questions