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'94 Champs, Catching up with Jenn Wilds Powell
10/30/2014 9:34:00 AM | Field Hockey
With field hockey celebrating the 20th anniversary of the program's 1994 national championship, we catch up with several members of the squad to learn more about where they are now, how JMU and JMU Athletics has shaped their lives and what special memories they carry with them from that magical season. This week, we focus on Jennifer Wilds Powell, who scored 23 goals and added 11 assists in three seaons with the Dukes. The entire 1994 field hockey squad will be the first team to be inducted into the JMU Hall of Fame on Champions Weekend, Nov. 21, 2014.
What specific memories do you have from the 1994 season, both in the regular season and the postseason?
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My memories of the 1994 season aren't the specifics of each game and outcomes but the team. My teammates were and continue to be amazing people. Our season started with testing on the field, on the track and in the gym. There was a group of us that were selected to do "extra cardio" to ensure our fitness level. There is something to be said about finding the energy to do two extra 20-minute runs after practicing three times a day. It was character building and helped us to grow as a team. It's funny to look back and note it was primarily the starting defense and goalies that were running, and one would question if the pace we kept would even qualify as running.
Â
I remember the competition. EVERYTHING was a competition. On the field and off, if it could be made into a game, it was. Nobody ever got off easy and everyone was held accountable. Practice was brutal. A game of handball would leave players hurt. The slip and slide on hot days was a race to see who could get to the end first.
Â
The coaching staff was bar none. When it was time for practice, you left your life at the gate and for the next three hours, we were at the mercy of the team. Christy had a way to push us beyond what any of us thought was possible. I don't think any one of us would say we were the best skilled team in 1994 but Christy had us practice with the intensity that was expected in a game. When it was game time, we understood the expectations.
Â
At what point of the season did you get the feeling that this could build into something special?
Â
We approached the season winning. We prepared with this goal in mind. As we were getting closer and closer to the Final Four, we became more excited because the words were becoming reality. For me, the reality set in once we started the NCAA tournament and it grew with each win.
Â
What were your thoughts and emotions entering the championship game? How do you remember your emotions evolving as the game progressed?
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I was absolutely nervous. The experience was so much bigger than us and it was everything we talked about and looked towards, and now we were in the moment. UNC was a great team and we played them before and knew it was not going to be an easy game. Their forward line was very talented and had speed that was going to make my game long and exhausting. When we walked out of the fieldhouse to take the field, I heard my father call my name. I wasn't expecting him to be at the game due to his National Guard responsibilities but he took a leave and drove through the night with my sister to make the game. Hearing his voice and receiving his hug was priceless.
Â
The most memorable moments of the game for me was the blur of the second overtime. It was exhausting and primarily one defensive corner after another. During one corner, I remember seeing a shot and then a ball bounced off my stick. I was playing one of the posts and it was exactly as if we practiced and I didn't see any of it happen but it worked out right. Everyone did their job and somehow we got ourselves to penalty shots.
Â
Describe your emotions once penalty strokes finished and the realization struck that you were national champions?
Â
I was absolutely elated. I was the fifth person chosen for the penalty strokes. We won with the fourth stroke and I didn't need to go.
Â
Was the national championship your favorite game from the 1994 season or does another stand out?
Â
My favorite game was the Penn State game, which was the semifinal game in the NCAA tournament. The weather was perfect for a game; warm fall day, the sun was out and it was a Sunday afternoon. The game was perfect and I didn't feel the stress of winning like I felt with the other tournament games. From the start of the game, it was magic. We were good and on. The game was "fun," which is an amazing thing to say when you are in the moment.
Â
Aside from just the 1994 season, what are some of your overall favorite JMU Field Hockey memories?
Â
I hold my teammates and coaches in a special place in my heart. The blood, sweat and tears created a bond that nothing else in my life holds. That said, I think the road trips, especially the mini-van trip to the indoor tournaments make me smile.
Â
Coach Morgan left JMU field hockey for a period of time and returned this year. What are your thoughts on her return to the program?
Â
Christy Morgan is an amazing coach, on and off the field. I learned so much from her about life and these life lessons I still reflect today. Her intensity is amazing on the field but she could really pull back and help us understand growing up, as we were in such a vulnerable place. I equal my experience with Christy and hockey to JMU. The idea that she wasn't there made JMU incomplete. Having her back only seems right.
Â
How much do you follow the current JMU field hockey team either by attending games or via JMUSports.com or social media?
Â
I use social media to follow the team due to my life and schedule.
Â
How much contact have you maintained with Coach Morgan and the other championship team players?
Â
Social media is a great resource to keeping up with my teammates, coaches and the current team. There are a few I follow closer than others and if someone makes a trip near we try to catch up when we can.
Â
How often do you return to campus or when was the last time you returned?
Â
My last trip to JMU was for a spring tournament in 2003. There was an alumni team that played. I haven't had a chance to return since. Â
Â
What did you first do after graduating from JMU? (personally and/or professionally)
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Since leaving JMU, I went to Thomas Jefferson University for a nursing degree and met my husband. He was in medical school on a scholarship from the Navy. We moved to Portsmouth Virginia and in 2004 we moved to La Maddalena, Italy for two years. During that time, I taught classes for sailors and taught a six-week EMT-B course for the Army 503rd at the Vicenza Army base (outside Venice). Returning to the States, I got a job with Vital Systems, Inc., a small research organization that works with pharmaceutical companies testing new drugs/devices. I'm the Vice President of the company. We live in Greenville, Delaware, with two children: Layne (8) and Bennett (5).
Â
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What specific memories do you have from the 1994 season, both in the regular season and the postseason?
Â
My memories of the 1994 season aren't the specifics of each game and outcomes but the team. My teammates were and continue to be amazing people. Our season started with testing on the field, on the track and in the gym. There was a group of us that were selected to do "extra cardio" to ensure our fitness level. There is something to be said about finding the energy to do two extra 20-minute runs after practicing three times a day. It was character building and helped us to grow as a team. It's funny to look back and note it was primarily the starting defense and goalies that were running, and one would question if the pace we kept would even qualify as running.
Â
I remember the competition. EVERYTHING was a competition. On the field and off, if it could be made into a game, it was. Nobody ever got off easy and everyone was held accountable. Practice was brutal. A game of handball would leave players hurt. The slip and slide on hot days was a race to see who could get to the end first.
Â
The coaching staff was bar none. When it was time for practice, you left your life at the gate and for the next three hours, we were at the mercy of the team. Christy had a way to push us beyond what any of us thought was possible. I don't think any one of us would say we were the best skilled team in 1994 but Christy had us practice with the intensity that was expected in a game. When it was game time, we understood the expectations.
Â
At what point of the season did you get the feeling that this could build into something special?
Â
We approached the season winning. We prepared with this goal in mind. As we were getting closer and closer to the Final Four, we became more excited because the words were becoming reality. For me, the reality set in once we started the NCAA tournament and it grew with each win.
Â
What were your thoughts and emotions entering the championship game? How do you remember your emotions evolving as the game progressed?
Â
I was absolutely nervous. The experience was so much bigger than us and it was everything we talked about and looked towards, and now we were in the moment. UNC was a great team and we played them before and knew it was not going to be an easy game. Their forward line was very talented and had speed that was going to make my game long and exhausting. When we walked out of the fieldhouse to take the field, I heard my father call my name. I wasn't expecting him to be at the game due to his National Guard responsibilities but he took a leave and drove through the night with my sister to make the game. Hearing his voice and receiving his hug was priceless.
Â
The most memorable moments of the game for me was the blur of the second overtime. It was exhausting and primarily one defensive corner after another. During one corner, I remember seeing a shot and then a ball bounced off my stick. I was playing one of the posts and it was exactly as if we practiced and I didn't see any of it happen but it worked out right. Everyone did their job and somehow we got ourselves to penalty shots.
Â
Describe your emotions once penalty strokes finished and the realization struck that you were national champions?
Â
I was absolutely elated. I was the fifth person chosen for the penalty strokes. We won with the fourth stroke and I didn't need to go.
Â
Was the national championship your favorite game from the 1994 season or does another stand out?
Â
My favorite game was the Penn State game, which was the semifinal game in the NCAA tournament. The weather was perfect for a game; warm fall day, the sun was out and it was a Sunday afternoon. The game was perfect and I didn't feel the stress of winning like I felt with the other tournament games. From the start of the game, it was magic. We were good and on. The game was "fun," which is an amazing thing to say when you are in the moment.
Â
Aside from just the 1994 season, what are some of your overall favorite JMU Field Hockey memories?
Â
I hold my teammates and coaches in a special place in my heart. The blood, sweat and tears created a bond that nothing else in my life holds. That said, I think the road trips, especially the mini-van trip to the indoor tournaments make me smile.
Â
Coach Morgan left JMU field hockey for a period of time and returned this year. What are your thoughts on her return to the program?
Â
Christy Morgan is an amazing coach, on and off the field. I learned so much from her about life and these life lessons I still reflect today. Her intensity is amazing on the field but she could really pull back and help us understand growing up, as we were in such a vulnerable place. I equal my experience with Christy and hockey to JMU. The idea that she wasn't there made JMU incomplete. Having her back only seems right.
Â
How much do you follow the current JMU field hockey team either by attending games or via JMUSports.com or social media?
Â
I use social media to follow the team due to my life and schedule.
Â
How much contact have you maintained with Coach Morgan and the other championship team players?
Â
Social media is a great resource to keeping up with my teammates, coaches and the current team. There are a few I follow closer than others and if someone makes a trip near we try to catch up when we can.
Â
How often do you return to campus or when was the last time you returned?
Â
My last trip to JMU was for a spring tournament in 2003. There was an alumni team that played. I haven't had a chance to return since. Â
Â
What did you first do after graduating from JMU? (personally and/or professionally)
Â
Since leaving JMU, I went to Thomas Jefferson University for a nursing degree and met my husband. He was in medical school on a scholarship from the Navy. We moved to Portsmouth Virginia and in 2004 we moved to La Maddalena, Italy for two years. During that time, I taught classes for sailors and taught a six-week EMT-B course for the Army 503rd at the Vicenza Army base (outside Venice). Returning to the States, I got a job with Vital Systems, Inc., a small research organization that works with pharmaceutical companies testing new drugs/devices. I'm the Vice President of the company. We live in Greenville, Delaware, with two children: Layne (8) and Bennett (5).
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