9 Questions: Steve Wojciechowski

Steve “Wojo” Wojciechowski is one of the greatest point guards in Duke Basketball history. During his senior year, Wojciechowski earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, and was an honorable mention All-American. Wojciechowski grew up in Severna Park and played basketball with the Green Hornets.

Q1: How did playing for the Green Hornets organization impact your early years?

A2: My first entry into sports was playing soccer, baseball and basketball for the Hornets programs. It was one of the highlights of my life. I was coached by wonderful volunteers and made lifelong friendships.

Q2: How do you remember Severna Park?

A2: I love Severna Park. My parents still live there. I love driving up and down Benfield Road and seeing how things have changed. It’s a place of great schools and good people.  I’m very fortunate to have grown up in Severna Park

Q3: You attended Cardinal Gibbons High School in Baltimore. How did that impact your life?

A3: Gibbons was a great place to spend my high school career. It gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream of being a college student-athlete. I played varsity soccer and basketball during those years and was very fortunate to have an outstanding Catholic education.

Q4: Of course you played youth basketball for Severna Park legend Ed Wilson.

A4: Coach Wilson had an amazing impact on my life. He’s a selfless servant of kids.  From free summer camps and free clinics to the youth team he’s coached for over forty years, he’s changed the direction of so many kids for the better. He’s a real local hero.

Q5: What are your best memories of Coach Wilson?

A5: Driving around in his station wagon with 30 basketballs in his backseat with 5 kids going from a basketball game in Prince George’s County to another game in Baltimore City. He also introduced me to exercise and friendship and competition. He made sports fun. He made all of us feel good about ourselves.

Q6: You made the decision to attend Duke for college. How did that impact your life?

A6: Choosing Duke and playing for Coach [Mike] K[rzyzewski] was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m able to call two places home—one is Severna Park, the other is Duke.

Q7: What was it like [to be a coach for Duke’s] national championships in 2001 and 2010?

A7: It’s the pinnacle of college basketball. It’s the best feeling because it’s so hard to do get through those NCAA brackets to the championship game. You have to have a little luck, you have to be playing well at the right time. It’s the best sporting memory I have.

Q8: You have a lovely wife, Lindsay, and two young boys, Jack (5) and Charley (3). Will your boys play hoops?

A8: If they love the game I would be happy if they played basketball. They’ll certainly be around it enough. But I don’t want to force it. I want them to develop that passion for the game because it’s a really great game.

Q9: What does it take to be a great point guard?

A9: You must have an understanding of what it takes for your team to win. You have to understand the people around you, their roles and responsibilities. You have to be willing to sacrifice your goals for team goals and you’ve got to be a good communicator.