By Jeff Bugher
8/29/2024
LARAMIE, Wyo.--Evan Svoboda is now the leader of the Wyoming Cowboys' offense. We had the chance to catch up with him at UW Football Media Day. We asked him questions about all things Evan, including his life on and off the field. Why did Evan choose #17 for his jersey number? Thoughts on his first official college start? Has he played the new NCAA 25 football game?
Choosing #17:
During our research about Svoboda, we noticed that he wore #10 in high school. Despite having worn it previously, we asked Evan why he doesn't wear #10 at Wyoming. Svoboda explained, "The #10 is retired here; the guy who wore it passed away, and they've retired it.” According to Diane Dodson, Sports Information Director with UW Athletics, “The #10 in football is retired because it was worn by Ed Synakowski, a quarterback who drowned at a local lake before the season started in 1970. No one has worn it since.” So why does Svoboda wear #17? "At JUCO [Snow College], I couldn't wear #10 because I was a younger guy. Somebody else had it, so I picked #17, and then that kind of carried over to Wyoming.” Evan said. “...There was another guy who wore #17 who had a great time in Laramie (referring to Josh Allen). But I'm the new #17," Svoboda said.
So, did the Josh Allen effect play into Svoboda’s decision to choose #17? “Yes, he did play a role in that. That’s when I first started watching him more and more," Svoboda admitted. "I was thinking to myself, that’s kind of a guy I want to emulate on the field. So let’s wear the same jersey number,” he said. Svoboda said that the fact that the double-digit 17 was available made the decision that much easier.
Read our in-depth article about Wyoming QB Evan Svoboda following his emergency start against #4 Texas in 2023.
Offseason Preparation and Upcoming Season:
Svoboda wasn’t idle over the summer; he spent time preparing for the season. "It's been a lot of fun grinding all throughout the summer with the guys, constantly working out and conditioning," he shared. "I've been enjoying my time here. Summers are the best here in Laramie; it beats being back home,” Svoboda said, reflecting on the high temperatures in Arizona. As Svoboda is on the eve of the 2024 season, he shared his thoughts on the upcoming season. "I think the biggest thing is just taking it week by week and just going out there and giving it all we have and playing Cowboy tough every game," he emphasized. "The motto is just 1-0 every week; that’s the biggest thing."
On Playing in Tempe on Saturday:
Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, isn’t far from Evan’s hometown of Mesa. Playing close to home excites Svoboda, "It's going to be awesome to be back in my home state and seeing my friends and family out there supporting me and all the other fans,” Svoboda said. “I'm not very an emotional guy, so there’s not going to be too many emotions rushing through me,” he continued. “I think the biggest emotion is just the excitement; I just can't wait for it… I'm literally itching to get out there," Evan said. Evan has so many friends and family coming to the game that his family has rented a skybox.
Life Away From Football:
Svoboda told us he used to play video games regularly with his friends during high school, but his priorities have changed. "I used to be a video game player with my friends in high school, but not much anymore," Svoboda admitted. Evan told us he hasn't even played the game, nor as himself in the new NCAA College Football 25 video game. "Everybody's asked me that, but I haven't yet," he laughed. What does he do in his free time? He revealed a surprising hobby: "I usually don't tell people this; I'm a nerd when I’m away from football. I like building Legos and building sets, so I guess that's a weird fact about me."
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