Claire Johnson: A Spartan Mindset
10/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 25, 2015 
By Hanna Sprague, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant
EAST LANSING, Mich. The emotions on senior day are undoubtedly strong, but, for fifth-year senior Claire Johnson, there's plenty to celebrate.
Johnson will walk across Ralph Young Field prior to Sunday's game linked arm in arm with her parents, Wes and Laura, and her younger sisters, Caroline and Sophie, who have traveled nearly 400 miles from Louisville, Kentucky to East Lansing, Michigan for Senior Day.
People that mean so much at a place that means so much, Johnson is quick to note how the support of her family has pushed her toward success as both an athlete and a person.
"I literally would not be here without them," said Johnson. "They've been with me every step of the way, encouraging me to do whatever it was that I wanted to do. They've been nothing but supportive."
The oldest of three, Johnson was the first to pave her way as a Spartan. Not long after, her sister Caroline followed suit, giving the Johnson family all the more reason to find comfort in the Green and White.
"They are really good about making it to games," said Johnson. "Always so encouraging."
The Michigan State athletic department has set new standards of success in recent history, including a 2015 Rose Bowl victory, a spot in the 2015 Final Four and a women's cross country 2015 National Championship.
"The environment of the entire student body is really just amazing," said Johnson. "It makes us want to work harder to see other teams do so well. We always say that we have to earn our jersey. When you see other people earning their jersey, it makes you want to work harder."
When thinking of recent success, field hockey nears the top of the list. The 2013 season was a token for the program, fighting their way to the Elite Eight after winning the Big Ten Tournament and upsetting No. 2 Syracuse on MSU's home turf in the NCAA Tournament.
"There are no words to describe it," said Johnson. "We had nothing to lose, and everyone put everything on the line. We kept winning and we enjoyed it so much. We knew that feeling, and we wanted to keep that feeling, so it was a lot of fun. The team really came together."
Johnson redshirted in her freshman season at MSU, giving her the ability to take in the game at the next level while preparing for her future on the field and as a leader.
"From being on the sideline, to being in the games, it's important for me to really be a support for all of the girls," said Johnson. "Every single person on the team matters. We need to be there for the freshman and the younger girls and really show them what it means to be a part of the team. Everybody counts."
This theme of family that radiates through Johnson is something that has been sparked and fueled by head coach Helen Knull. The student athletes will come and go, but the standards within Spartan field hockey have always been the same.
"Helen is so relatable to all of us, and she puts an emphasis on having fun along the way," said Johnson. "On the bus and traveling we have fun, but during practice we know where the line is. We are a goofy team, we like to have fun, but we know when to get serious."
From the coaching staff to the student athletes, the mindset behind the program holds strong, working each day to better each other both on and off the field.
"The bonds that you make with your teammates â€" there's nothing like it," said Johnson. "You instantly have a family coming in here. Everyone is so encouraging and so welcoming. We are really supportive of one another."
Her time is on the field is winding down, but Johnson hopes there's something she can be remembered for at Michigan State.
"Work ethic is the biggest thing," said Johnson. "It's something that you can control. We always talk about controlling the controllables. Working your butt off is something that you can control every single day."
The Spartans will finish out the 2015 regular season at Louisville next Sunday, giving Johnson the opportunity to come full circle with the game of field hockey in her hometown.
Her student athlete experience is admirable, but this is just the start of the amazing journey Johnson is on. She will graduate in December and spend the first half of 2016 traveling Europe, before making her way back to the states to attend grad school and study sports nutrition.
"It does mean so much to be a Spartan," said Johnson. "That Spartan family is endless. You can really feel it here, and see it all around the world."
By Hanna Sprague, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant
EAST LANSING, Mich. The emotions on senior day are undoubtedly strong, but, for fifth-year senior Claire Johnson, there's plenty to celebrate.
Johnson will walk across Ralph Young Field prior to Sunday's game linked arm in arm with her parents, Wes and Laura, and her younger sisters, Caroline and Sophie, who have traveled nearly 400 miles from Louisville, Kentucky to East Lansing, Michigan for Senior Day.
People that mean so much at a place that means so much, Johnson is quick to note how the support of her family has pushed her toward success as both an athlete and a person.
"I literally would not be here without them," said Johnson. "They've been with me every step of the way, encouraging me to do whatever it was that I wanted to do. They've been nothing but supportive."
The oldest of three, Johnson was the first to pave her way as a Spartan. Not long after, her sister Caroline followed suit, giving the Johnson family all the more reason to find comfort in the Green and White.
"They are really good about making it to games," said Johnson. "Always so encouraging."
The Michigan State athletic department has set new standards of success in recent history, including a 2015 Rose Bowl victory, a spot in the 2015 Final Four and a women's cross country 2015 National Championship.
"The environment of the entire student body is really just amazing," said Johnson. "It makes us want to work harder to see other teams do so well. We always say that we have to earn our jersey. When you see other people earning their jersey, it makes you want to work harder."
When thinking of recent success, field hockey nears the top of the list. The 2013 season was a token for the program, fighting their way to the Elite Eight after winning the Big Ten Tournament and upsetting No. 2 Syracuse on MSU's home turf in the NCAA Tournament.
"There are no words to describe it," said Johnson. "We had nothing to lose, and everyone put everything on the line. We kept winning and we enjoyed it so much. We knew that feeling, and we wanted to keep that feeling, so it was a lot of fun. The team really came together."
Johnson redshirted in her freshman season at MSU, giving her the ability to take in the game at the next level while preparing for her future on the field and as a leader.
"From being on the sideline, to being in the games, it's important for me to really be a support for all of the girls," said Johnson. "Every single person on the team matters. We need to be there for the freshman and the younger girls and really show them what it means to be a part of the team. Everybody counts."
This theme of family that radiates through Johnson is something that has been sparked and fueled by head coach Helen Knull. The student athletes will come and go, but the standards within Spartan field hockey have always been the same.
"Helen is so relatable to all of us, and she puts an emphasis on having fun along the way," said Johnson. "On the bus and traveling we have fun, but during practice we know where the line is. We are a goofy team, we like to have fun, but we know when to get serious."
From the coaching staff to the student athletes, the mindset behind the program holds strong, working each day to better each other both on and off the field.
"The bonds that you make with your teammates â€" there's nothing like it," said Johnson. "You instantly have a family coming in here. Everyone is so encouraging and so welcoming. We are really supportive of one another."
Her time is on the field is winding down, but Johnson hopes there's something she can be remembered for at Michigan State.
"Work ethic is the biggest thing," said Johnson. "It's something that you can control. We always talk about controlling the controllables. Working your butt off is something that you can control every single day."
The Spartans will finish out the 2015 regular season at Louisville next Sunday, giving Johnson the opportunity to come full circle with the game of field hockey in her hometown.
Her student athlete experience is admirable, but this is just the start of the amazing journey Johnson is on. She will graduate in December and spend the first half of 2016 traveling Europe, before making her way back to the states to attend grad school and study sports nutrition.
"It does mean so much to be a Spartan," said Johnson. "That Spartan family is endless. You can really feel it here, and see it all around the world."
Players Mentioned
Forward
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Thursday, November 02