Reese Fain: Football is a sense of brotherhood, Helping me grow as a man and show me that hard work and dedication can have a positive impact and a great result.
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about your childhood and how did you start playing sports?
Reese Fain: My childhood was good growing up, me and my family had some struggles but other than that my mom took care of us because she was only a Single Parent. She provided a strong supportive home for me and my two older siblings! Sports. On the other hand, I didn’t really take interest in them I played soccer for a long time and I also played basketball until I got to middle school but what I really think that got me into football was my older brother Chris, he was a football star, and I looked up to him and I remember telling him that I would be a better athlete then he was and so far I think we’re at a tie right now.
Joe Gaiter: What are your fondest memories of Science Hill High School?
Reese Fain: One of the best memories that I have would have to be going to Brentwood Academy and losing by a touchdown but playing a great game. We were counted out but we really shocked the world in the whole state of Tennessee. We almost beat one of the best teams in the state of Tennessee.
Joe Gaiter: Tell us about your recruitment experience?
Reese Fain: I was not heavily recruited out of high school. I think I had one offer which was the University of Cumberlands. But luckily I had connections with Carson-Newman.
Joe Gaiter: Why did you pick Carson-Newman?
Reese Fain: It was a school that really wanted me. When I went there on a visit I met Coach Turner. He just made me feel at home. We spoke about the Lord and all the great things that I could do if I came to Carson–Newman and I knew that’s where I wanted to be.
Joe Gaiter: What would you say contributed to Carson-Newman’s 9-3 record last season?
Reese Fain: The brotherhood, it was a big thing on the team. I really felt like we were together or not divided. I’ll be honest sometimes we struggled but the Chemistry on the team was something serious and that’s what made us so unique.
Joe Gaiter: What has been your contribution to the team?
Reese Fain: A non-vocal leader. I was a guy that really didn’t say much But I use my actions to speak. I was the guy giving out speeches at halftime. I strapped on my helmet and just went to work.
Joe Gaiter: Was it a hard adjustment moving from tight end to offensive lineman?
Reese Fain: No not at all. I played some TE in high school. My whole junior and senior year in high school I was a tackle, so being an offensive lineman was in my blood.
Joe Gaiter: What are your strengths and areas you need to improve on?
Reese Fain: One of the biggest strengths would have to be my athleticism, There is been many times during a game and I took a wrong angle or got beat on the first step, my athleticism has helped me out in bad situations. An area to improve ion would be keeping my feet running after contact, I do have a bad habit of letting my feet die after a few good steps.
Joe Gaiter: Do you think the OL gets enough credit for what they do on the field?
Reese Fain: Depends on who you ask, as an Offensive lineman we really don’t want the credit. We tend to move in silence. We know we did a great job when we see the football in the end-zone.
Joe Gaiter: What can we expect out of you next season?
Reese Fain: One of the nastiest players on the field, I was lucky to have one more year left and I’m going to make sure I make it a good one. I’m going to make sure that no one outworks me on the field, the weight room, and the classroom. I want to be the best and show I’m going to show a lot of people that I can be.
Joe Gaiter: What is your relationship like with Head Coach Mike Clowney and the coaching staff?
Reese Fain: Coach Clowney. I love that man! He will be the third head coach I had in college and before our old head coach retired I told coach Clowny that if he ever got a head coaching job then I would follow him. And once I heard he got the head coaching job then I told myself that I will stay for my fifth year and play for him. My relationship with the coaching staff is really like a family, even with a few new coaches coming in they get the culture that we’re trying to have and they fit in.
Joe Gaiter: What is life like for you off the field?
Reese Fain: You can say crazy. There never a dull moment at my house. I live with my girlfriend and two of my best friends and so we randomly have Nerf gun fights. We have family dinners and my best friends and I watch a ton of anime or we play Xbox. We just act like a bunch of little kids.
Joe Gaiter: Is it hard being a student athlete?
Reese Fain: It can be hard if your not able to balance your school, work, and you social life Your sport then will start getting hard. If you can manage your time and turn your assignments in, study for tests, and do what you need to do in the classroom then things become easier.
Joe Gaiter: What is your untold story?
Reese Fain: My Story, Just a twenty-two year old kid who got lucky to play college ball and hasn’t looked back on it! Even though the struggle, has put their head down and just worked for what he’s got. He gives all the glory to God while doing it. Someone who doesn’t want to be in the spotlight.
Joe Gaiter: What is your major and how do you plan on using it?
Reese Fain: I’m a double major in communications and video production. I want to start my own advertising business or run some political campaigns for someone. One of my biggest dreams is to be the CEO of Disney! I understand that the Disney CEO is a huge fantasy dream but I feel like I could do it. But ultimately I wanna play in the league for some team and take care of my mother. That’s the biggest goal In my life. I promised her that I would take care of her.
Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?
Reese Fain: Probably the hardest question but I just want people to know how kind and giving I was. I want them to know how hard I worked to accomplish all my goals. I want them to say how great of a man I was, I want to leave wisdom and knowledge for the younger generation.
Joe Gaiter: Final Words?
Reese Fain: I appreciate you giving me the time to talk. This is very new to me and I’m very thankful for it.
Joe Gaiter: Shout outs?
Reese Fain: Shout out to all my Carson-Newman boys old or new, shout out to God that’s the biggest one. Shout out to all the Lineman in the world. You may think your under appreciated but your not! Without lineman the game of Football wouldn’t be the same.
Twitter/Instagram: @ReeceThaTruth
Reese Fain, Carson-Newman, Interview with Joe Gaiter was last modified: July 9th, 2020 by Joseph Gaiter
