Senior Spotlight: Max Milien

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Senior tailback Max Milien (Arlington, Va.) graduated last spring with a degree in psychology and is competing as a fifth-year senior. He caught a touchdown pass at North Carolina, the first of his career, and answered questions on Cavalier football.

Question: Last season you converted from tailback to fullback. How was that transition?
Milien: It was a great opportunity to get on the field. The transition was pretty smooth. The only thing was trying to learn run-blocking, which took a little more time and was harder. After that, it was a great move.

Question: How did it feel to catch your first touchdown reception at Carolina, a 41-yard play?
Milien: I came back under the defense, Michael Rocco threw me the ball, and no one was there. It felt great to score. We were trying to get some momentum, and unfortunately it didn’t work out for the end of the game, but it felt good to be doing my part.

Question: What are some of your personal goals for this year?
Milien: My goals are the same as the team’s, we’re trying to win the ACC Championship, that’s what we break it down to everyday. We also want to get to a bowl game. We haven’t made it ton one since my first year, and it would really be great to get back.

Question: Being from Arlington, Va., did you always know you wanted to go to UVa.?
Milien: I really had no clue up until my sophomore year of high school, when I started getting letters from coaches. We came to team camp down here, and I just fell in love with it. Ever since then, I knew wanted to come here.

Question: What is your favorite part of practice?
Milien: I’d have to say blitz period. It’s really high intensity, and Coach London gets us all pretty fired up about it. I like to start off with it.

Question: What is something you’re an expert on and could teach a class?
Milien: I’m a big eater. I think I could definitely teach people about fine cuisine. My favorite meal is shrimp scampi, so I could say a lot on the seafood dishes.

Question: What is the worst movie you own?
Milien: I own Mean Girls, I don’t know if I’ve ever watched it, but I do own it. And I don’t know why!

Question: What is your first football memory?
Milien: I started in the ninth grade, so my first memory was the first time I put pads on. I got ready, and just went out to play. All I remember is that I had my thigh pads and my kneepads confused, so I looked pretty funny.

Question: Who are your inspirations on the field?
Milien: My favorite player is definitely Marion Barber. I’m a Redskins fan, but my favorite player is Barber, on the Dallas Cowboys. I look up to him, for sure.

Question: How would you describe Coach London?
Milien: He’s a great mentor, and coach. He is more like like a father figure for a lot of us. He is in to what he does. He cares about the team; on the field or off the field, he cares about what we’re doing. He wants to know about every aspect of your life, and if he can help. He is a great coach.

Question: What’s the best part about playing football at Virginia?
Milien: I’d definitely say the camaraderie here. They say it’s unlike any other school, and I definitely believe that. I have made some of the best friends of my life on this team, I love it.

Question: Is there a particular story behind your name?
Milien: My mom really liked that name, so I got lucky. I have two older brothers, Frank and Bruno, but my mom saved my name for me, and I’m very happy with it.

Question: Are your brothers into sports?
Milien: They’re athletic, but didn’t play sports in college. They were the smarter ones. My older brother, Frank, is actually faster than me, but I don’t tell many people that.