Fielding Questions with Jill Civic
10/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Senior Jill Civic is quite familiar with overcoming setbacks and embracing adversity. Despite nagging injuries that have become a constant presence for the U-M back in her final two collegiate seasons, Civic has not missed a beat as the most consistent fixture in the Wolverine lineup over the last four seasons. With 82 career appearances and four slates remaining in the regular season, she is on track to enter the top-10 among Michigan's all-time leaders in career games played, a stat which comes to represent tenacity and dependability, two themes at the heart of the Wolverine program. Civic's personal resiliency and dedication could be said to mirror that of the 2006 U-M squad, who will look to continue its recent winning ways straight into the postseason tournaments. As the Maize and Blue prepares for its final road trip of the regular season, Jill took a moment to discuss perseverance, the close bond among her classmates and growing up in Pennsylvania, the Mecca of field hockey.
On the ups and downs of road trips
"It's a great bonding time. We went to Iowa, and then just a few days later, we turned around and went to Penn State -- that's a good 16 hours over the weekend where we're on the bus together. We watch a lot of movies, hang out, help each other with work, talk about game plans. On our off days, we'll just stay around the hotel and spend time together. It's nice to be away, because we do get a lot closer. It can eliminate some of the distractions from home, but, at the same time, it can also create a lot of distractions. A lot of the younger players are, for the first time, dealing with opposing teams' crowds and dealing with that noise. Playing against a lot of non-conference teams, we're adjusting to new refs and new playing styles. Some people don't sleep well away from home. But I think by now, on our fourth or fifth road trip, most people are used to sleeping in the hotel."
On the advantage of playing at Phyllis Ocker Field
"Our parents follow us around everywhere, but, when we're home, we also get the other student-athletes and local fans out to support us. Plus, we're used to the field; we don't have to spend that extra time in practice adjusting to it. I like the atmosphere and the tradition that comes with Ocker Field. Everyone takes pride in slapping the sign above the locker room and running out to 'Hail to the Victors' for warm ups. That's something that everyone looks forward to. I think it will be a big advantage for the Big Ten Tournament. We've been joking around that this crazy weather we've had the last week could be the weather we have in the few weeks for the tournament. We've already had a couple days of practice in it, and we know how to adjust. I think we're going to have so much support. I think the Big Ten Tournament is going to be a very big weekend for this team this year. We definitely have the dates marked down on our calendars."
On persevering through injuries
"I guess I just look at this year as my last year to put on a field hockey uniform and a Maize and Blue uniform, so every day that I go out there, I try to improve on what I can. Some days it may be going harder in practice, and other days, I have learned this year that if I get pulled from practice, while it's frustrating, it's for the best, because I need to be ready to go for a big weekend. Kim (Hill) has been great. She has gone above and beyond her call to help me before, after and during practices and games. She's always coming up with new solutions to get me through it the next day again."
On finding her calling
"Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending how you look at it, I've spent most of my time over the last two summers in physical therapy. I've had the opportunity to work with two of the best physical therapists back home and also here at Michigan with Beth Remke. So, I think I have found my calling. I'm in the process of applying to grad schools for physical therapy. I think I have an upper end, because I will understand the psychological frustration and have experience in how to come back from these injuries. I think the biggest thing involved is positive attitude. You're always going to hit bumps in the road in every part of your life especially during the rehab process. But you have to take it one day at a time and know that it's the small accomplishments that really do add up in the end to get to your overall goal."
On balancing field hockey with her academic workload
"It's probably one of the biggest challenges, but it's also probably one of the biggest things that I take pride in -- not only my personal and our team success on the field but also my success in the classroom. It's definitely requires a lot of discipline and doing things that you don't feel like doing and making sacrifices. You just have to keep your goals in place and believe that you are going to reach them and that it will all one day pay off."
On other U-M sports she enjoys
"I like attending the women's soccer games, because we're close with the team. We share facilities and work out together with Jason (Cole) in the offseason. It's nice to support each other. I like going to wrestling and hockey too, because they both have smaller facilities. So, it creates a great Michigan environment, and the crowds are always going nuts, especially for the bigger games."
On the relationship among U-M student-athletes
"I just think we all take pride in wearing the block 'M' and bleeding Maize and Blue. We take a lot of the same classes and go through the training together and constantly see each other in the weight room. So, I do think there is a special bond among all the student-athletes."
On playing at different positions
"I definitely think it's made me a well-rounded player. My freshman year being a forward and sophomore year being a midfielder, and now, my junior and senior years spending a majority of time at defense -- I definitely have a better understanding of what everybody should be doing on the field. I have spent some time at forward this year, but it's usually just when we need to switch things up, like if our game plan isn't quite working or we're struggling to finish. The coaches will just try something new to spark the offense. I'm always really excited when I get to go in and play forward; it brings me back to my freshman year. I guess it's because I only get in there for a few minutes."
On her beginning in field hockey
"My neighbor, who was actually my babysitter as well, played for the high school team. She never really taught me to play, but my dad one day thought it was time to start playing field hockey. So, I played it for one year around third grade, and I didn't really like the sport. Then a lot of my friends starting playing, so I thought maybe I would give it another chance. Since about sixth grade on, I just sort of found my knack for it and have loved every minute of it that I've played."
On the field hockey climate in Pennsylvania and how it prepared her for college
"It is definitely one of the hotbeds for field hockey -- eastern Pennsylvania and some mid-Pennsylvania. They start the kids young, kind of like throwing your kid in the pool for the first time at three or four-years old, moms and dads out there put field hockey sticks in their kids hands. I think these parents just see that these high school girls are getting great opportunities to go to great schools like Michigan, whether on scholarship or not, and getting a great education. I felt like I was very well prepared coming from my high school. I came from a high school where practice on the field didn't start until we went for an hour run with the assistant coach, who was a marathon runner. So, in that respect, I felt like I was well prepared for the training. I graduated with 11 seniors, and 10 of us went to Division I schools -- Maryland, UNC, Ball State, Central Michigan, UConn -- all schools you see at the top. I think the physicality of the Big Ten was my biggest adjustment, being 5-1 on a good day."
On the best thing about playing at Michigan
"I just don't think you can compare it to anywhere else. We have a group of girls that you don't even have to talk to and they understand what you're thinking. Both on and off the field, communication is just amazing. Also, I think we are challenged everyday to be a better person. You learn to not only confront these challenges but to embrace them."
On her senior class
"The unique thing was that we had all met each other before we came in as a class. Through U.S. Field Hockey, we played with or against each other throughout the years we were growing up in junior high and high school. I think each person has a unique personality, but that's what brings us together and makes us one of the best classes. With all six of us combined, we don't have any weaknesses, and we all pull for each other."
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
