This month’s award winner is the younger Zack Burns. Burns is a freshman from Danvers, MA who played lock and #8 for the Wolverines this year. Burns brings a great work ethic and surprising speed to the team. Zack looks ahead to a sophomore season that will allow him to take more of a leadership role with the Maize and Blue.
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight: 185 lbs.
Year: Freshman
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Danvers, MA
Why rugby?
A bunch of people I knew had played it since freshman year in high school, so I decided to join junior year. I ended up being a pretty decent player, and it’s really fun, so I stuck with it.
What have you liked about Michigan rugby the most so far?
That a bunch of crazy nerds can get together and be ranked in the top 12 teams in the country while having a blast at the same time. I love going back home to MA to see my family, but after a few days I remember how incredibly boring my life was before Michigan Rugby. It’s like having a second family.
Most memorable moment on the pitch?
Playing in part of the A-side game against Wheeling Jesuit after two-a-days. I had only been playing for two years before then and I thought “whoa whoa whoa, I can’t keep up with these A-side guys! I’ve only been here for a week!” But I ended up making a big play where I intercepted a Wheeling Jesuit pass and ran for about 60-70 meters. It was a huge confidence boost and it got me excited for the next 4 years.
What’s your favorite drill in practice? Least favorite?
Favorite is pretty much any variation of a 4-on-3. Least favorite is tackle progression, even though I really need it. It’s just boring.
What other sports have you played?
I played baseball pretty much my whole life until 7th grade, football for two years in 4th and 5th grade, and a half season of soccer but that hardly counts. I tried whitewater kayaking a few years ago and it was awesome. I can see myself getting into other outdoorsy stuff like that in the future.
In 5 years, what do you see yourself doing?
I’m kind of all over the place on this subject. Every year I’m interested in something new. I’ll definitely be doing some kind of engineering, but whether that’s mechanical, software, or something else remains to be seen. I want to live somewhere where I can go outside and hike or kayak/canoe every weekend.
What’s some embarrassing childhood memory you can tell us?
I was out at a restaurant with a group of 5 or 6 people, and as we were leaving I supported myself on the table as I slid out of the booth. Well apparently this big, round table wasn’t bolted to the ground. It tipped on its side and EVERYTHING that could have possibly broke, did. Silence, stares, fear, etc. It was a big restaurant but everything pretty much stopped. I just bent over to slowly start picking things up as people watched me and I thought I would have to stay there to clean it all, and my mom would have to pay for everything I broke. My mom just took my arm and walked me out of the restaurant while saying “someone will get paid to clean that.”
Favorite place in Ann Arbor?
The Black House. You never know what’s gonna happen in there. Before I had even been there I heard stories about how terrible it was. The first time I went I wondered why anyone would voluntarily live there, but it’s grown on me. I’ve accepted the fact that I’m a victim of Stockholm syndrome and the Black House is my “captor”.
Biggest fear?
Letting the other Zack Burns be better than me.
Favorite food/meal?
Either my mom’s chicken marsala or jambalaya, or any meat that my dad cooks in the smoker that we have in our backyard.
Any game day superstitions?
Eating a big meal a few hours before the game and regretting it immediately before kickoff.
Favorite super hero and why?
Can I pick Elon Musk? He’s basically the real-life Iron Man: he’s co-founder of PayPal and SpaceX, and has prominent roles in Tesla Motors and Solar City, which makes him worth about 12 billion dollars. He’s an engineer/businessman who has some awesome ideas and he’s crazy enough to try them. Look him up.
Best advice you’ve ever received?
You only go to college once. Work hard and meet your goals, but don’t forget to enjoy yourself.
1 comments
Zippy my boy, this is awesome, congrats dude! Everyone misses you back home buddy! – Mikey