DJ Zapata

All Your Favorites:

• Food:   Costco Food Court
• Movie:   Step Brothers
• Movie Character:   Will Hunting (Good Will Hunting)
• Book (Author):   1984
• Book Character (what book?):   Denis Cooverman (I Love You Beth Cooper)
• Show:   Newsroom
• Type of Music:   hip hop
• Musical Artist or Band:  Drake
• Song (Artist):  Hold On We’re Going Home (Drake)
• Artist:  Juan Francisco Casas
• Painting: Starry Night
• City (foreign or domestic):  San Diego
• State:   CA
• Country:  USA
• Place (anywhere):  Missoula, Montana
• Sport:   Baseball
• Activity:   movie watching
• Hobby:   napping
• Board Game:   Cards Against Humanity
• Monopoly Piece:   Car
• Quote:   “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” -Aristotle

Why did you choose Santa Clara?
This is my third school. I’ve gone to school in Montana and in San Diego and this is the first time I’ve felt at home. I love the small classes and the prestige of the Math and Computer Science department on campus. I want to be a teacher and a degree from Santa Clara is a great way to do that.

What draws you to baseball? What is special about the college game?
Baseball is special. Having played football at the college level I’ve had a different point of view. Baseball is special to me because of all the small details that most people don’t notice whether that is pitching mechanics, how guys run the bases or how they swing the bat. College baseball is special because of the incorporation of school. Going to class daily and practicing at the end really tests your ability to focus.

Who is your favorite guy on the team to compete with? To compete against? Why?
Max or Kenny. Both guys are senior pitchers like me but these guys have been around since their freshman year. It’s always nice to compete against veteran guys that have been around the block.

Top 5 people, living or dead, to compete against? In what?

• Chris Lawlor/Jeremy Ford – My two best friends from home. We are always competing in so many different ways with my favorite being a game called “squares” which is like horse in Chris’ backyard.
• Michael Jordan- I’d want to play Mike in something like chess or bowling.
• Peyton Manning- accuracy contest with a football.
• Dale Earnhardt – race go-karts.
• Larry Bird – Just like Jordan, anything not basketball related.

5 people, living or dead, to have coffee with?

• Will Ferrell
• Isaac Newton
• Nolan Ryan
• Will Smith
• Peyton Manning

What would you do with a billion dollars?
Finish school, pay off student loans, pay off parents bills, buy mom and dad a house, buy a house for myself in San Diego and a Lake house in Montana, and invest with my friend Josh Pelczar

What do you want to be doing in 10 years?
Teaching High School Math and coaching.

What does your ideal day look like?
Sleeping in until around 9, eating a café Rosalena burrito, getting a lift in, lunch at Panera, time at the field, followed by some NFL games and maybe dinner at Costco.

What’s the #1 item on your Bucket List?
Visit Machu Picchu with my cousin Jenna.