Generations of Tommie Hockey
Katie Jetland is a senior at St. Thomas. She is the goalie and captain of the St. Thomas Woman’s Hockey Team.
Who inspired you most during your time playing hockey at St. Thomas?
Every year that I have been a part of St. Thomas hockey I have been greatly inspired by each senior class. While the make-up of the girls is different, there is the common realization of every senior that their last (official) days of hockey are drawing near. The passion and the enthusiasm they play with their last year is truly inspirational.
What athlete do you most admire?
My father. He was a goalie (like me) and had a lot of success in high school and college. While he initially was petrified when he found out that I wanted to play hockey, he has endlessly supported me as a coach and a friend to talk to regarding all aspects of the game. He taught me everything I know about goaltending and the game, and I owe any success I have to him.
Is there anything you had to give up in order to play hockey all four years at St. Thomas? Any regrets?
Yes! I never had the opportunity to study abroad during my four years at St. Thomas because the hockey season spans over both semesters and during the summer I always needed to have a job. While I am saddened I did not have a chance to study abroad I also realize how lucky I am to have been able to participate as a college athlete. I have many chances in the future to travel abroad, but only a few years to play hockey competitively.
As a female athlete, what do you think about Title IX?
Title IX has had a dramatic impact upon women's athletics over the last 30 years. There is no doubt that Title IX has given many women opportunities to compete in college athletics when they otherwise would not have been able to. Unfortunately, many schools do not have the funding to simply add a female sports program to conform to the necessary ratio of male and female sports. Instead, schools are forced to cut a male program. Obviously this solution was not the intent of those who worked to implement Title IX. While I strongly applaud the principle of Title IX, there definitely are some underlying issues which must be addressed to continue to make Title IX a positive measure rather than one which hinders others.
What changes did the new hockey arena make for the St. Thomas Women's Hockey Team?
Moving to the St. Thomas Ice Arena in 2003 brought about some great changes for the Women's Hockey Team. For one, we received a locker room of our own which we did not have at our former rink. We also have an on-site weight room which allows us to easily work out together just before or after practice. Lastly, and most importantly, I think we all have a sense of "home" when we play at our rink, and our record shows that—we’ve only lost six games in the arena since 2003.
How do you plan to continue including hockey in your life once you graduate this spring?
Hockey will always be a part of my life, simply because I have learned so many life-long lessons which carry directly over into the real world, but I also plan to include hockey actively when I finish in the spring. I would love to coach when I am finished, especially a girls’ team. While there are so many more women involved in hockey now compared to ten years ago, there is still a need for women to be role models as coaches in the youth programs. Nothing can be more influential in a little girl’s life than someone to look up to and relate to in one way or another. I can't think of a better way to give your time than by being involved in an activity you love!
Comments
Post new comment