Q & A With Senior Jessica Miller

Sept. 16, 2005

By Branden Wilson, Sports Information Student Assistant

Senior midfielder Jessica Miller continues to climb Michigan State's career assist record list. With 25 career assists, Miller currently ranks sixth among MSU's career assist leaders, passing Marleen Tuip and Judith van Haeringen during the 2005 season. She's only 10 assists from tying MSU's all-time career assist leader, Julia Adams (1999-2002).

Miller started in every game as a freshman, picking up 4-1-9 totals and was a Second-Team Big Ten honoree as a sophomore. Last year she recorded 15 assists, ranking third among MSU's single-season assist leaders. She had a career-best six point game (two goals, two assists) in an 8-2 win over Central Michigan on Oct. 5. Her accomplishments on the field earned her a spot on the Big-Ten All-Tournament Team and her dedication in the classroom earned her Academic-All Big Ten and NFHCA National Academic team honors.

Miller is a member of this season's team leadership group chosen by MSU, along with Michelle Huynh-Ba, Kristin Dunn and Becky Manning.

"Jessica is a vocal leader on the field and is highly respected for her fierce competitive mentality in practice and games," said head coach Michele Madison.

Known around the field as "Fred," Miller took a minute to answer a few burning questions.

Q: Why did you choose to go to Michigan State?

A: "When I came on my recruiting trip I really got along well with the team. Plus MSU has a great field hockey program."

Q: What is your greatest strength and weakness on the field?

A: "My greatest strength is never giving up. My greatest weakness is getting frustrated."

Q: What can you say about your senior class?

A: "They're awesome. It's taken all of us four years to reach our accomplishments and now we're leading the team."

Q: What can you say about this year's team as a whole?

A: "We have a lot of great players and great potential. We're finally coming together."

Q: What's the hardest thing about being a student-athlete?

A: "Finding time to be a normal person."

Q: What actress would play you in a movie about yourself?

A: "Julia Roberts or Jennifer Aniston."

Q: You had 15 assists last year and three so far this year, how do you always manage to find your teammates?

A: "I think that I have very good vision and distribute the ball well. Most of my assists come on corners."

Q: How did you get the nickname Fred?

A: "When I was in eighth grade, one of my other friends was also named Jessica Miller. Her dad suggested the nickname `Bob'. I thought that was the stupidest name I ever heard. Then he said `I'll call you Fred,' and it stuck."

Q: What's your favorite moment in a Spartan uniform?

A: "Beating Michigan at their field in the Final Eight last year."

Q: What are your personal and team goals for this season?

A: "My personal goal is to keep playing hard until the end of the season. Our team goal is to do our very, very best everyday."

Q: After field hockey, what are your life aspirations?

A: "I want to be a child psychologist."

Q: You wear a locket with MSU inscribed on it, what does it mean?

A: "It's our team present for going to the Final Four last year. We all got the lockets representing the heart of our team."