Feb. 7, 2005

By Roland Hu, USD Media Relations

Oscar Plotnik, a junior out of Mexico City, Mexico, has been mainly known for his doubles prowess throughout his career as a Torero. However, he recently proved that he is also a very capable singles player as he posted a 1-1 record during San Diego's Northern Californian road trip, where they faced No. 2 Stanford and No. 28 California. Before the team cruised up Interstate 5 to face the 2nd-ranked UCLA Bruins, the 6-2 International Business major sat down with Roland Hu for a Q & A session.

1. How did you spend your summer?

I went to Mexico City, Mexico, which is where I am from. I was there for a month and a half because I was injured and doing exercises there and seeing a doctor.

What did you injure?

My left knee.

Is it all better?

Yeah, I think so. Hmm... what else happened this summer? I went to Cancun for two weeks with my family.

Did you have fun?

Yeah, I did. The thing is, most of my family live in Mexico, City, so it was a cool time because I had time to spend with them.

Do you have a big family?

I have two sisters and one brother. Both my sisters are married, so I have four nephews. My brother is 18, so yeah, my family is pretty big!

2. So, you're a junior right now and you'll be graduating next year. What would your dream job be once you are down with USD?

I really like real estate. The family business is in video games and we have some restaurants in Mexico City. So I am going to work a little bit in that and then focus on real estate.

Would you want to deal with real estate back in Mexico City or the United States?

I have a sister that lives here in San Diego. She's an interior decorator. So if I can do it here, I would do it here. But if not, then I guess I have to go back to Mexico.

Going back, you said your dad was involved with video games. Does he produce video games or...

No, no. He represents a company from Korea called SNK. He represents the whole of Latin America.

Wow, so you must have grown up with a lot of video games!

Yeah, but I don't like video games ever since I was a little guy. I got bored easily.

3. If you are stranded on a deserted island, name three people you would want to be with you, excluding family members.

People that I know?

Anyone... celebrities, athletes, people that you know... just anyone.

Probably I'd want a doctor by my side. In case I get sick, then they can take care of me. Especially if the doctor is a girl, some woman...

Any woman?

Specializing in medicine. So I can be with her and she can take care of me.

So two other people...

I'm Jewish, so I would take a Rabbi because I like my tradition and everything. And probably a friend because they would always be there, watching out for me.

Those are all practical choices! No celebrities or no one from history...

No, I guess not.

So, you grew up in Mexico. Was it kind of strange growing up Jewish in such a culture that is so heavily influenced by the Catholic religion?

Not for me because ever since I grew up, I've always been involved in the Jewish tradition. I went to a school that was Jewish and the sports center that I went to was just Jewish. It was a shock when I came [to USD] because the people were not Jewish! So it was more of a shock here, not there.

4. What is the worst movie you've ever seen?

Worst movie... I don't know. Let's skip that one.

Ok, then what's your favorite movie you've seen?

Kill Bill.

Volume I or Volume II?

Volume I because I like those type of movies. Blood everywhere.

5. If you could switch places with anyone in the world, who would it be?

There is one person in my community in Mexico. He represents the Jewish community in the world. Abraham Cohen

Why would you want to switch places with Abraham Cohen?

To let people know that Jewish people are everywhere and that Jewish people are taking over the world [laughs]!

Is there an athlete you'd like to switch places with?

I guess Andre Agassi because he's done a great job with his career. He's won a lot of tournaments and he looks like a nice guy.

6. If you could survive on one type of food for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

Sushi. I like fresh sushi.

Have you tried blowfish, the poisonous one yet?

No, no! Nothing dangerous!

7. What is one thing you would bring from your hometown to USD if you could make it possible?

I guess I would bring some of the people here. It seems like Mexicans and Americans are very different and the cultures are very different. We're more like friends there. Here, I think people are more separated.

8. If you won one million dollars, how would you spend it?

I guess I would put it in a bank because that's what I am here for: my future. I'd buy a car or something like that too.

All practical answers! Nothing flashy or anything like that?

Nah, nothing like that. I'd probably try to pay my father back, but he doesn't need the money, so he'd tell me to keep it and put it in the bank.