Jens Deju
Tahira Saafir is a senior on the SIU softball team. Saafir is one of the team leaders and top defensive players on a Saluki squad that is tied for second place in the MVC. She recently took some time off to speak with Jens Deju of the Daily Egyptian.
Daily Egyptian: How would you describe yourself as a player?
Tahira Saafir: I consider myself a leader, and I take pride in my defense, and I just work hard at hitting. Offensively, I'm a scrapper. I just try to put the ball on the ground and run. Defensively, I just take pride in making plays.
DE: Off the field?
TS: I would say fun. I get my work done, but as soon as that last paper's done, I like to go out and have a good time with my friends and just chill basically.
DE: What are your plans for life after SIU?
TS: I want to teach. I'm an elementary ed major, so I want to teach little kids and then maybe eventually someday coach and have kids - and two and a half karats on my ring finger.
DE: Who's been your biggest inspiration in either softball or life?
TS: My parents. My dad taught me how to play when I was like six, and my mom's kept my head straight and tried to give me some focus in life. They keep me going; they're my biggest fans. They come to every home game, make a five-hour trip just to see me play for three games, so they inspire me to do the best I can in life and on the field.
DE: How much pride do you take in your defense?
TS: A lot. I come out here every day and I just work hard on it, and this past weekend I had a couple of mistakes and it just really ticked me off, so Sunday I was coming out fired up, ready to stop everything in between first and second base, and that's just what I love doing. I love to make the big play; I love to get down and dirty.
DE: How much of an honor is it to be looked to as a leader?
TS: It's a huge honor, but sometimes there might be a little pressure because if I'm having a bad day, they can see it, and I'm not saying the whole practice goes down, but if I'm not out there talking and getting everyone going, then sometimes I just feel like it's a little bit of a lull. But it's great to know that they look up to me and they respect me as a player and as a leader.
DE: Earlier in the year, you broke your thumb, and not only did you not miss any games, but you were right back out there diving around like usual. What does that say about you as a player?
TS: I just take pride in the game. I was talking to Kerri when it happened and I'm like, 'I'm playing; don't try to replace me,' ... I mean, yeah it hurt, but it's my senior year; I wasn't ready to sit out. I just wanted to deal with the pain and come back and play ball.
DE: Why did you decide to come play at SIU?
TS: Well actually, I got a scholarship to Lewis University up north. I played there for a year. Me and the coach had a lot of differences, so at the end of the year, actually midway through the year, I was just out there playing just to get through the year. I just needed a break from softball, so I took a year off. I came down to Southern because I liked the campus and some of my friends were down here, and then after a year off, I was like, I have to get back, so I just went to Kerri, and she knew who I was, and I just told her I wanted to play again. She welcomed me with open arms, and I just started playing.
DE: Favorite actor?
TS: Anyone who looks good with a shirt off in a movie, like Denzel or Brad Pitt. Any hottie would be my favorite.
DE: Favorite movie?
TS: I don't have a favorite movie. I guess "A Time to Kill" was up there.
DE: Favorite TV show?
TS: That's "Friends."
DE: Favorite musician?
TS: Lenny Kravitz.
DE: Favorite local restaurant?
TS: Winston's Bagels.
Reporter Jens Deju can be reached at jdeju@dailyegyptian.com
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
