During fall camp, ODUSports.com featured one Monarch a day in a "Get to Know Your Monarchs" segment. That will continue during the season, as we get to know true freshman defensive end, Jude Brenya
Q. What are you studying here at ODU? I plan on majoring in criminal justice. When I was a kid I wanted to be a pilot, but then I realized it takes too long to be that. I knew I wanted to help people and help my community so I think I would like to become a police officer or a federal agent.
Q. What was the most memorable part of the game Saturday night against Rhode Island? I think the score was pretty memorable.
Q. Tell me about an average day for a kid growing up in Ghana? You normally get up early and get your household chores done, then go to school. Sometimes you would have to walk there if there was no bus. Then I would walk home and do more chores then go out and play soccer for the rest of the day.
Q. What was the hardest thing to get used to after your move from Ghana to New Jersey? My dad brought me over here to be with him. When I was young he was in Japan. He brought me here to better my education and in turn, better my life. The hardest thing to get used to was the weather. In Ghana the weather is constant where here it’s all over the place. When I first moved here I would forget to put on a jacket all the time. Besides that, I miss my family back in Ghana but the adjustment wasn’t that difficult.
Q. What are some of your favorite community service projects to do as a team? Back in high school we helped the Special Olympics. I liked seeing them have fun and getting to teach them the game of football, I really enjoyed that.
Q. What is one thing that makes you unique? I’d say I do stuff that not a lot of people would do. For example, during the game I yell a lot! If you see me on the sideline during a game I’m normally going crazy. The guys try to tell me to turn it down but I never do.
Q. What was it like playing for Coach Pete Brescia in high school? He was the one who introduced me to football. Prior to that I was only playing soccer. After he saw me playing he knew he had to have me on his team. After playing for a while I really enjoyed it and it changed my life.
Q. What do you think about the jump to Conference USA and FBS? I think it’s great for us. We’re doing really well right now as a team and I think we’re going to do well in the conference that we’re going into.
Q. If you could choose to be in a movie, or TV show for a month what show would you pick? I would choose the Real House Husbands of Hollywood! It’s a really funny show and I enjoy watching that every night.
Q. What is one of your hobbies? I like to play soccer. I wish I could play soccer again, but for now I like playing FIFA on my Xbox.
Q. What is the most memorable moment of the season so far for you? It will always be the homecoming game against Liberty. I had faith that we were going to win but it took a long time to get there. That’s going to be the game I remember for years to come.
Q. What was it like walking out on the field during your first-ever home game? It was amazing getting to see all of our home fans cheering you on as you’re walking on to the field. That’s all I can describe it as, amazing. I couldn’t believe I was actually on the field getting to play for them.
Q. When your getting ready for a game, is there anything special that you do to mentally prepare yourself? I just talk to myself. I say encouraging things like “you’re going to do great” “just go out there and do your best.”
Q. The game is in Idaho this week, how are you preparing to travel? I think it’s an eight-hour trip. It’s going to be crazy to adjust to the time changes. I’m just going to take my laptop and do some schoolwork; you can get a lot done in those eight hours!
Q. What is one thing that you have always wanted to learn how to do? I’ve wanted to learn how to play the piano. My dad always wanted me to learn how to play but I never really paid attention, but I wish I would have learned how to play.
Q. What do you think the most valuable skill a defensive end should possess? You need to have speed and good hands. Your hands are your weapons and if you don’t have those you go nowhere. Coach has been helping me out with that. I used to not use my hands a lot but now I think I’m getting better at it.
Q. What are you plans after you graduate? Will you continue to be involved in football? If the NFL doesn’t happen, I would like to stay around here and get a job. I’d like to stay involved in football in any way, shape, or form because it really helped me out and I want to give that back to the community.
Q. If you could trade places with any other sports star, who would it be and why? It would be Lionel Messi from Barcelona. He’s a great soccer player and he has a lot going for him, everybody loves him. He’s on a great team, even though Chelsea is my team. I think I would trade places with him even if it was only for a day just to experience it.
Q. What advice would you give to yourself as a young football player? Everything is a step, you just have to take it. You take it little by little and by the end of the day you’re going to reach where you need to go. Listen to the coaches and just do what’s expected of you. Aim high and you’re going to do alright.
Q. Which one would you prefer: being inducted into the Hall of Fame or having a Super Bowl win? I’d say being inducted into the Hall of Fame. While the Super Bowl is big when you get inducted into the Hall of Fame your legacy stays behind once you’re gone.
Q. What was the most appealing thing about ODU during the recruiting process? I really fell in love with the campus. I think when I came to visit it was just calling me. I loved the coaches and everybody here was so nice. You could see that they really cared about you and wanted the best for you not just as a player but as a person. That was the biggest draw I think. The campus was beautiful but it was also cool getting to go to school so close to the beach.
Q. What knowledge of football did you have growing up in Ghana? I had never even heard of football until I moved here, and even then it wasn’t until high school that I really even knew what it was.
Q. What is your favorite part of game day? I’d say the Monarch March. I really love getting to interact with the fans and get their support. It’s nice to know that we have an entire communities support. We really do appreciate it!
Q. Who on the team would be elected as more energetic and enthusiastic than Big Blue? I’d say me. I’m pretty enthusiastic!
Q. What is one thing you’d like to say to all the 12th Monarchs out there? Thanks for coming out to the game to support us, both home and away we really do appreciate it! We try and put on a good game for you to watch and hopefully a win so thanks for coming out!