We got up close and personal with our beloved kicker, Justin Yoon

Each time Justin Yoon confidently takes the field to score an extra point, the screams of thousands of fans yelling his name in one loud battle cry are unmistakable: “YOOOOOOOON.” As Yoon enters his second season as starting kicker of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, it is common knowledge that he is extremely talented at kicking a football, but there’s a lot behind that shiny gold helmet that most people don’t know about.

What is something non-football related that most people don’t know about you?

I’m an avid hockey player and fan, I played it for 12 years.

What legacy do you want to leave behind at Notre Dame?

Football would be great, to leave behind the name, but not just that. I want to leave behind the idea that I worked hard to get here and I can show others that I’m the type of guy who’s available and open. The type of guy who will work hard for you and open up space for you.

What do you hope to accomplish as a sophomore?

I’m in business school, so I’m trying to figure out my major. Everyone’s going for success and I want good grades, but I’m more striving for the aspect of learning. For football, I will try to do my best for the team. If they’re happy and the fans are happy then that is all that matters. I also want to expand on others… to have conversations and connect with people and open up to people.

For people who never get to play college football, how would you describe the experience?

Notre Dame is fantastic, but this is such a unique experience, its so hard to explain. The fact that I can walk out of that tunnel and see all the people in the stands is amazing. It feels like this is home, everyone is there to watch you beat the other team, it’s an amazing feeling to be able to walk into that light. I really appreciate that fact and it’s not something that should be taken for granted. I try my best to honor that aspect.

What goes through your mind when you run onto the field to kick the ball?

It’s interesting, every year it changes. So last year I’d always just think about clouds, think of something to keep me calm in those pressure situations. I would say this year it feels more as if I’m used to it and I’ve gotten a lot closer to the team. When I’m up there trying to get ready I think about my process: three steps back, two steps over – and that routine… when I’m set and waiting for the ball to come it’s all about seeing my teammates there and knowing that they’re there behind my back and knowing that it’s between me, the ball and the field goal posts.

Do you enjoy being in Sorin?

Oh yes I do. Sometimes I’m just sad I can’t spend enough time with them because I’m always doing school, practice, homework and when I’m done it’s 10. When I am done I try to go to other rooms and see what’s going on and the guys are great, they accept me for who I am and it’s a very welcoming environment. Sorin Otters represent!

*Justin doesn’t own the sweater vest*

What do you think makes you stand out as a person other than the whole football thing?

There are times when people see me as the football guy and I don’t know how to break out of that situation, but if I could that would be awesome. I’d like to be approached as just another person, another friend

What are you most passionate about?

I definitely had passion for hockey, but definitely I’m most passionate about sleeping. Once I get to that bed… I’m gone.

What is your favorite dining hall food?

South Dining Hall stir fry, I’d take that any day… I always get broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, onions and put some chicken in there. But it’s all about the three sauces I use – I always get the teriyaki, the sweet and sour, and the Sriracha. So you get a kick and the sweet stuff and the teriyaki. You can’t go wrong with teriyaki. It’s a great combination, I highly recommend it.

What do you like best about your dorm?

Obviously the guys are awesome. Getting to know these guys from unique backgrounds is amazing, they’re really chill, comfortable to be around and approachable, which is what I want to be. The big thing is the brotherhood, that’s what’s really amazing about it.

Have you had any memorable experiences with the football team?

There are a lot of funny situations. There’s this game going around these days called “the lip game” where you try and get the other person’s lip. It’s ridiculous, you just get a finger and try to get their lip and if you get it everyone goes nuts. It’s ridiculous but it’s funny. If you see that happen, that’s what’s going on. It’s a football thing.

If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?

I’d love to go to Antarctica because it’s unique. You never hear “oh yeah I’ve traveled to Antartica.” Plus if there are unique animals you get to see those, that’d be interesting

What would be your dream job?

Anything sports related – if I was a professional that would be awesome. But another dream job would definitely be to make roller coaster rides. Make it free for everyone, but somehow have it work. That would be awesome, if there were free rollercoaster rides that would just go for miles. I don’t know if people would want to ride it if it’s for miles, but that would be awesome.

How do you balance sports with schoolwork?

Going to a boarding school has been really helpful. It’s all about time management. Whenever you have those small little times, you have to learn to do your work. For me, football is going to take from 2:30-7 at night and most time on weekends. There’s not that much time so you have to make the most of the time you have and work ahead.

If you weren’t playing football, what would you be involved in?

I’m very interested in the multicultural club, triple A and stuff like that, because ethnicity-wise I would love to know more of my Korean brothers and Korean family. I would try to join another sports club, intramurals and stuff like that. That would take up my time.

Any awkward encounters with girls that you’d be willing to share?

The fact that I don’t talk to many girls, I hear rumors that they don’t want to talk to me, that kind of situation is kind of awkward to me. I want to be approachable, I try to be approachable. I love to talk to people. I also saw on Yik Yak that a girl said “My eyes met Justin Yoon’s eyes oh my god” and I was like, okay, well what do I say about that? That was pretty awkward… Also people have heard rumors that I have a girlfriend and ask me that… I don’t know if this clears things up, but I don’t have a girlfriend.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

I love eating food here, Taco Bell – a guilty pleasure because I’m not supposed to eat it and because it’s a good food. Well sometimes there are days when I slack off and watch YouTube videos, Dude Perfect and stuff like that, and two hours go by.

What’s your favorite Notre Dame tradition?

The Walk is definitely the best tradition. Nothing beats it. You see so many happy faces and all these kids cheering you on and they know my name, which is so crazy.