Olympic Dreams - Q&A with ASC Alum Zack Goodwin
Zack Goodwin isn't your typical former kicker. The December 2017 Alfred State graduate has turned his love of sports in a new direction and goal as he has his eyes set on the Olympic team. The dream is to represent the USA as a member of the Skeleton team.
Goodwin made his debut at Alfred State in 2014 as primarily as a wide receiver but settled in as a punter/kicker in later years. He appeared in 37 career games and was 25 for 34 on extra points and recorded 31 career points. He also punted 68 times for an average of 32.7 yards per punt. During his freshman campaign he caught five passes for 59 yards and he was credited with 10 career tackles.
After his final year of playing football he switched cleats and participated in sprints for two indoor track meets before his graduation in December. He ran the 60 m dash in 7.43 and the 60 m hurdles in 9.14. Both of those times were the best for a Pioneer during the 2017 indoor season.
Goodwin was not only successful on the playing field. He was honored after his final three years of football with academic awards for his success in the classroom as an Architeture major.
After graduating and starting a career in the architecture world, his passion for competing switched to taking up skeleton after a suggestion from his track & field coach.
We had the chance to catch up and learn more about his experiences at Alfred State and learn about the dream of the Olympics.
What was your path to Alfred State? What were you involved (athletically and academically) in while at Alfred State? I transferred to Alfred State after doing the 2-year Architecture program at Dutchess Community College. I was drawn to A-State after hearing about the 5-year BArch program and the opportunity to walk on to the football team. In addition to playing football, I competed for a semester on the track team and loved playing intramural volleyball.
What have you been up to since you graduated from Alfred State, both athletically and professionally? After graduation in Dec. 2017, I took a couple months off to relax and go on a road trip. Following that I was hired by CPL as a full-time member of their architectural team in Newburgh, NY. I enjoyed working but still missed competing. This is what led me to pursue skeleton which was an idea planted in my head by my track coach during my senior year.
How have your experiences at Alfred State helped you be successful? Alfred State provided me with the resources needed to succeed. Not only did my track coach start me on my new athletic journey, but the principal at my firm is also an Alfred State alumni. Attending A-state has created a multifaceted network of people I can reach out to in my post grad life.
What is your favorite memory of being a student-athlete at Alfred State? My favorite part about being a student athlete was traveling to away games with the team. I loved seeing new places and playing in a bunch of different states. One of my favorite memories was touring the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.
What are some of your future goals? The obvious goal for me is to make an Olympic team. Skeleton is an experience based sport and it takes years to master the subtleties needed to ascend the ranks.
What advice would you give current and future Pioneers? My biggest piece of advice for anybody still in school is to build a network and become a well rounded person. It's not about having the best grades and being extremely good at one thing. Its about people you know, relationships you build, and your ability to thrive and adapt in different situations.
Not many people have ever tried Skeleton – What is it like? How do you train? I've always searched for things that could get my adrenaline going, but skeleton is by far the craziest feeling I've ever felt. You lay face down on a sled going 80+ mph while trying to move as little as possible. Half of the time you can't see because the g-forces are burying your face in the ice. Steering is done using tiny movements such as downward pressure from your shoulder or a slight tilt of your head. Training in the offseason is mostly sprint training and explosive weight lifting to help our push starts. The best way to practice sliding is to actually do it, which is why experience is key.
Quick Hits:
Favorite place at Alfred State? SLC and the rock wall.
Favorite Professor at Alfred State? Architecture Professor, Dave Carli
Favorite cheat day food? I am a big donut guy
Coolest place you have visited since starting to train in Skeleton? Park City, UT is amazing. I love snowboarding so when I'm not training I like to sneak off and ride.
First person you would call when you make the Olympic Team? It would have to be my mom, followed by my track coach who told me about this crazy sport to begin with.
