New Kids on the Block is a series featuring student-athletes that are new to UTRGV this year to allow everyone to get to know the next generation of Vaqueros. Look out for features every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
 
Name: Lily Rodriguez
Sport: Women's Soccer
 
1. Where are you from?
Georgetown, Texas
 
2. What was it like growing up there?
I grew up in a small city, but it is expanding. Georgetown is an older city. I lived near the square downtown. It's a city where everyone knows everyone. It's close to Austin so I still got to experience a more suburban, bigger city.
 
3. What is your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is when I got my first dog at the age of five. She was a long haired chihuahua that I named Fluffy. She was my little companion and she lived for a long time.
 
4. What's was your go-to food as a kid? Is it the same now?
I don't remember as a kid but right now my go to food is chicken.
 
5. What's your favorite color?
Green
 
6. What was your favorite TV show as a kid? What about now?
My favorite show as a kid was Spongebob Squarepants. I still watch it now every now and then but, I would say my favorite show today is The Office.
 
7. What's your favorite movie?
I can't think of one favorite movie but a couple I liked to watch was the Joker, The Fast and the Furious, and The Conjuring.
 
8. What's your favorite song?
One of my favorite songs is Sunday's Best, by Surfaces
 
9. If you could have dinner with three people from history, living or dead, who would you choose and why?
I would choose Alex Morgan because of her soccer ability and I would like to talk to her personally about her journey.
 
My second choice would be Neil Armstrong because outer space fascinates me, and he was the first astronaut to walk on the moon.
 
My third choice is David Dobrik because he has a fun personality.
 
10. Other than the sport in which you compete, what is your favorite sport?
I would like to play volleyball or run cross country.
 
11. What are your favorite professional sports teams?
Real Madrid, Barcelona and the Women's National Soccer Team
 
12. How did you become a fan of those teams?
Because of certain players on each team and the teams as a whole, I enjoy watching them play. My dad was also a fan of Barcelona.
 
13. Who are your favorite professional athletes and why?
Alex Morgan, Ronaldo, and Messi because each one has a unique playing style. They are all very talented when it comes to soccer.
 
14. If you weren't competing in your sport, what would you be doing?
I suppose I would get more into art and painting because that's something that I enjoy doing.
 
15. Why did you choose your sport?
I chose to play soccer because I enjoy working as a team. I love the feeling I get when I or a teammate scores and being a part of the play. I also enjoy running. Soccer is a sport I have had passion for since I was a kid.
 
16. What is the biggest challenge of being a student-athlete?
I think the biggest challenge is balancing school and soccer. Not only that. but having time to hang out with friends is been hard because I am always busy with either soccer or school.
 
17. When you have free time, what do you like to do?
In my free time I like to paint, watch Netflix or hang out with friends.
 
18. What brought you to UTRGV?
I like the soccer program's style of play. Another reason is because of the location of UTRGV. The Valley felt comfortable and a good place to go to school.
 
19. What are your major/minor/planned areas of study?
I'm majoring in biology to further pursue a career to be a Physician's Assistant or something in the medical field.     
 
20. Who is the biggest inspiration in your life and why?
The biggest inspiration in my life are my parents. They have pushed me and raised me to go down the right path. They would support me at every single game I played, coach me and were there for me every time I needed them. I hope to be just like them because they have made a very good impact on my life.
 
21. What is something most people don't know about you?
I have an extra crease on my left ring finger.
 
22. Which New Kids on the Block song best describes you?
A. Games
B. Hangin' Tough
C. Step by Step
D. You Got It
E. Other __________________
 
23. Now be honest, had you ever previously heard of any of those songs or the band New Kids on the Block before?
No.
 
24. Is there anything else you want everyone to know about you?
I have two brothers. I am a middle child and the only girl.

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