Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1416392
12 OCT. 9, 2021 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED UNDER THE DOME BY TYLER HORKA BGI: You're the president of the Stu- dent-Athlete Advisory Council (SAC). What are your duties with that? Siegel: "We do a wide range of things. The organization is divided into several different subcommittees. We have one for mental health, community service, diversity, equity and inclusion. We have another one for ACC policy as well. Those are the different areas that SAC covers. "All the representatives are student- athletes from across every sport. I'm overseeing that and trying my best to provide the resources and connections to help that work on the student side." BGI: You're also the Student Govern- ment Director of Athletics. What is your role there? Siegel: "There are about 25 different positions in the student government exec- utive cabinet. Basically there are different areas that they are divided into. Athletics covers a wide array of different things. "What my focus has been on this year has working on finding ways to bridge the gap between student and student-athlete and finding ways to provide more col- laboration between the executive cabinet and the Student-Athlete Advisory Coun- cil. Just trying to find a lot of ways to bring the entire student body into athletics." BGI: What do you do as the Vice Presi- dent of WOPU Nation? Siegel: "I'm the right-hand man of Jake Rittman. I try to make everything work. Programming, reaching out to alumni, etc. I'm just here to help when we have meetings. "Just really help out in any way I can and give that second voice and second pair of eyes on things." BGI: What's been your favorite mo- ment as a Notre Dame football player? Siegel: "Winter and summer train- ing. That's when football isn't at its peak. There is a lot of emphasis placed on culti- vating our culture, the brotherhood, and just spending time with the guys we're playing with. Those are my favorite times. "It kind of sucks getting up early and working out, but you kind of have your brothers you can look at and get through it. The everyday grind are probably my favorite moments here." BGI: Cain Madden said [director of football performance] Matt Balis work- outs are "no joke." Can you vouch for that? Siegel: "One-hundred percent. One- hundred percent. I used to not be able to make it through some of the runs. I lost a lot of weight. I lost like 50 pounds my sophomore year. I've been able to make it through and do way, way better in the workouts now. But definitely no joke. "The first time you go into a coach Balis workout, it's kind of a culture shock." BGI: There were three NFL Draft picks from the Notre Dame offensive line in 2021 — Liam Eichenberg, Aaron Banks and Robert Hainsey. What was it like be- ing around that trio? Siegel: "It was amazing. Those guys were my mentors coming in. They've taken me under their wing. They taught me how to carry myself as not only a member of the football team but how to carry myself off the field. "I come from a good family that taught me manners and how to carry myself, but it's kind of different when you have so many different eyes on you because it comes with the name — Notre Dame foot- ball. So having guys show me the right way and learning from the best was critical. "Obviously, what they taught me has translated to the NFL. It makes me happy to see them doing well. I'm forever grate- ful for the mentorship and leadership they showed me." BGI: What's next for you after Notre Dame? Siegel: "Right now, I'm studying for the LSAT [Law School Admission Test]. I took it in August, in the middle of camp, so I'm going to take it again next month. I'll be out of camp so it will be less stress- ful. I'm applying to law schools right now. "Hopefully this time next year I'll be in law school. Ultimately, I want to go into sports and entertainment. I want to practice law in that field. I just want to stay around sports and continue to have a greater impact in the field." BGI: What has WOPU Nation meant to you? Siegel: "It really means a lot. Both of my roommates are also members of WOPU. Both of them are in my class as well. It means a lot to me personally be- cause these are guys you look at and are going through the same struggles as you. They get what you're going through. "It's a brotherhood, and you see how much everyone has succeeded off the field. It might kind of sound nerdy, but I'll be on LinkedIn and see guys from WOPU getting jobs. My roommate is going to Charlotte to work next year. Just seeing everybody with all their success, and the younger guys getting internships, that's really what it's all about." ✦ Siegel is heavily involved in leadership roles with off-the-field student organizations at Notre Dame, including the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and student government. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS W A L K - O N P L A Y E R S U N I O N WOPU WOPU SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT BY TYLER HORKA Q&A with senior offensive lineman Max Siegel II