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Justin Mullen Senior Profile
4/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
DURHAM, N.C. ? GoDuke.com recently sat down with Justin Mullen for his senior profile. Mullen, who set a personal-best 22.03 in the 50 free at the ACC Championships last season, discusses his favorite books, his high school memories, his graduation plans, plus much more.
GoDuke.com: What is your nickname?
Justin Mullen: While most people call me by my last name, in eighth grade my science teacher referred to me as "Macdaddy Mullen" when announcing me as Student of the Day during the morning announcements. Somehow it stuck, and people still use it now -- Thanks Mr. McCarley. Besides being a really cool nickname, I'll accredit its popularity to alliteration.
GD: What do you have in your iPod before a meet?
JM: Anything intense and high-tempo usually gets me amped up. DragonForce, Creedance, Lil' Wayne, and Pantera are usually present on the pre-meet playlist.
GD: If you could change one rule in your sport, what would it be?
JM: It would be neat if we had 10 yards or so to run up and dive in during relay exchanges rather than just using the standard two-foot long blocks. It would sure add a lot of excitement and be a real crowd-pleaser.
GD: What is your favorite professional team?
JM: If I had to pick one, I would say the Carolina Panthers. But, I'm not really into pro sports all too much. The fact that a rookie in the NFL is guaranteed to make over ten times as much as the average grade school teacher is preposterous.
GD: What's your favorite book?
JM: I'm a big fan of the late Michael Crichton. One of his more recent novels, State of Fear, challenges the commonly held beliefs surrounding global warming. While I'm all for the environment and the color green in general, the book gives a different perspective on the issue, backed by cited journal articles. The plot is spellbinding as well.
GD: What's the last non-school related book you read?
JM: Recently I've read Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions, by Dan Ariely.
GD: What's your favorite TV show?
JM: I watched the entire first season of Showtime's Dexter with some of the guys during our trip to Florida. It was really suspenseful and entertaining.
GD: What's your favorite food?
JM: I like breakfast food, particularly crepes and waffles.
GD: Do you have any pre-meet rituals?
JM: I like to have a “super sleep” night two days before the big event.
GD: What's your best non-athletic talent?
JM: I play the bassoon and I'm really good with computers... if only girls knew.
GD: What are you planning on doing after graduation?
JM: I just took a job as a Patent Examiner for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. It's a great opportunity to study the latest technology from top companies and independent inventors. I've never lived in an urban environment before, so D.C. should be fun.
GD: Who's had the most impact on your life and why?
JM: My parents, hands down. They are always there to be supportive, give great advice, and help any way they can.
GD: What's the thing you most admire about your coach and why?
JM: Besides being down to earth, Dan is great at relating to all types of people.
GD: Where is your secret spot to study?
JM: The GIS computer room on the second floor of Perkins Library.
GD: Being a few years removed from high school, what pops in your head when you think back to your high school career?
JM: I remember there were days when I would leave home for practice at five in the morning and not get back until 10 p.m., still having a paper to write for the next day. It's a wonder I didn't fall asleep more often in school.
GD: What's the best advice you've ever received?
JM: "Good begets good" -- My Grandfather
GD: What's your favorite sport, other than your own, to watch on TV?
JM: While I eagerly anticipate the televising of curling every four years during the winter Olympics and watching the Scrabble World Championships on ESPN last year was extremely riveting, I would have to say it's a toss up between college basketball and football.
GD: What is your advice to children?
JM: Think Big. Dream Bigger. Work Hard. Have a Purpose.
GD: What is your advice to this year's freshmen on your team?
JM: Spend time thinking about why you swim (because people will ask) and what you eventually want to do with your life.
GD: What's the best concert you've ever attended?
JM: I went with some buddies from high school to a DragonForce concert three summers ago. Despite some early technical difficulties, it was epic to say the least.
GD: What do you do in your free time?
JM: Contemplate the meaning of the universe.
GD: What's your favorite video game?
JM: We've had some vicious Wii Tennis tournaments in our apartment.
Players Mentioned
Freestyle
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