F17_2017_seniorsF17_2017_seniors
Football

Senior Memories

Johnny Caspers, fifth-year senior offensive guard
Earth Systems + master's in Environmental Engineering & Science

"Beating USC the first time in 2015 was great for me because I realized what that offense and team were truly capable of. I also had family there, which made it all the more special.

Calvin Chandler, senior free safety
Human Biology

"The happiest memory for me was the moment after making a tackle on senior night, hearing everyone get excited for me. Although it was cold, wet and late at night, I will never forget how big the smiles were and how happy they were for me. It was such a great memory because it was representative of the forever-lasting friendships that I made while playing here. I realized then that those friendships made all the hard work along the way beyond worth it!"

Noor Davis, fifth-year senior inside linebacker
Political Science + master's in Media Studies

"My happiest memory was winning the 2016 Rose Bowl Game and celebrating afterward with my brothers. Especially for my class and the fifth years, the guys who grinded four or five years together, for the culmination of their careers to manifest in a Rose Bowl Championship was pretty special."

Treyvion Foster, senior wide receiver
Psychology

"My happiest memory at Stanford was in my senior year, when my mom, sisters and aunt spent Thanksgiving with me and then saw me play on Senior Night against Rice. They got to see me in action, fulfilling my dream of college football. I also gave my little sisters a tour of Stanford and showed them how their hard work and dreams can pay off."

Ryan Gaertner, senior cornerback
Public Policy

"It was going to Bay to Breakers this year with nine teammates dressed up as Mario Kart characters. Our friend group would play Mario Kart every weekend in the off-season, so it was fitting to end our final year dressed as our favorite character from the game. It was a great representation of the goofiness and friendship among the group, forged over four years."

Chris Harrell, fifth-year senior fullback
Biomechanical Engineering

"It was celebrating with the team after the win against Notre Dame because we won on an incredible final drive and field goal. Not to mention, it was the first game I started in my career, playing against the best linebacker in the country."

Lucas Hinds, senior offensive guard
Economics

"Watching the confetti fall in the Rose Bowl after we won the game was one of the most memorable moments in my Stanford career. I say this because it was an incredible way to culminate the year with a group of guys I am lucky to call my brothers for life."

Zach Hoffpauir, fifth-year senior free safety
Communication

"My favorite memory was probably beating Arizona State at ASU in the Pac-12 Championship Game because it was my hometown team, and I had a big play on the goal line in front of all my friends and family."

Craig Jones, fifth-year senior inside linebacker
Management Science & Engineering + master's in Management Science & Engineering

"Being raised onto the shoulders of my teammates after I earned a scholarship showed me how much they cared about me and how happy they were for me. Their respect is the thing I treasure most."

Luke Kaumatule, fifth-year senior defensive end
Science, Technology & Society

"My favorite memory was this past year during training camp when Coach Shaw said, 'We're going to the movies!' During camp you go through a lot of ups and downs, and basically going full speed every day. When Coach does something like that, it just brings you the greatest joy."

Dallas Lloyd, fifth-year senior strong safety
Science, Technology & Society + master's in Media Studies

"I have had a lot of favorite moments at Stanford. The game-winning field goal versus Notre Dame in 2015 is the first one to come to mind. Time seemed to stop as Conrad and I watched his field goal soar through the uprights as time expired. In that euphoric moment, we became part of an ESPN instant classic."

Pat McFadden, senior running back
Public Policy

"My favorite moment at Stanford was rushing the field following our last-second victory over Notre Dame in 2015. It was a moment filled with pure excitement and happiness, and it was especially special to share that experience with my teammates and coaches."

Francis Owusu, senior wide receiver
Science, Technology & Society

"My favorite memory at Stanford was beating Arizona State in Tempe in the Pac-12 Championship Game my freshman year. It was special because our victory advanced us to the Rose Bowl Game."

Michael Rector, fifth-year senior wide receiver
Human Biology

"My happiest memory at Stanford was probably the big Class of 2016 bonfire that a lot of my friends and acquaintances had the night before we walked at Commencement last year. There was so much emotion – tears filled with sadness and tears filled with joy. We all realized that we didn't know what to expect next or when we would all see each other again, and it was scary. At the same time, it was so moving. It was great to look around at everybody and realized that we all finally made it. We were all graduating from this world-class university."

Alex Robinson, senior punter
Public Policy

"I think my favorite moment was when we beat Notre Dame in 2015, and my happiest moments were any of the times I could celebrate a victory with my teammates and family. Without them, victories are just numbers. You have to be able to share the joy of winning with somebody.
"Another moment with special meaning happened post-Sun Bowl, when every moment of blood, sweat and tears hit me at the same time. All I could do was be happy and truly realize that I would not have chosen to do Stanford any other way than as a varsity football student-athlete here. I share a special moment with Coach Alamar that day. I think his quote, although clichéd, captures it perfectly: 'Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened.'"

Greg Taboada, senior tight end
Science, Technology & Society

"It was the fourth quarter versus Iowa, sitting on the bench watching my walk-on friends get playing time in a Rose Bowl with certain victory already achieved."

Conrad Ukropina, fifth-year senior kicker
Science, Technology & Society + master's in Media Studies

"My favorite moment was winning the Rose Bowl Game my senior year against Iowa. I grew up in Pasadena and went to every Rose Bowl Game as a kid. Over 100 family and friends were at the game, and it was an unforgettable experience."

Jordan Watkins, fifth-year senior defensive end
Communication + master's in Media Studies

"Graduating twice from Stanford is pretty awesome. To have two degrees along with a handful of rings from the best institution in the world? When I take a step back and look at that, I've got to say I'm truly blessed."