The Daily Orange is a nonprofit newsroom that receives no funding from Syracuse University. Consider donating today to support our mission.
Before Andre Szmyt ever lined up for a field goal, he had a feeling he could do it. He’d joke with his mom, asking “What’s the big deal?” when he saw field goal kickers on TV.
Like many great placekickers, Szmyt started on the soccer pitch, where he played forward for his club and high school teams. He absolutely could’ve played in college, his mom Lala Szmyt said, because he was a natural athlete with a knack for accurate, strong boots.