Is DI or DII Better? Let's Ask Mackenzie Jones, Who's Played Both! Plus the Big Ten Conf is Booming!
August 22, 2024 • 43 mins
Welcome back to "The Big Life!" In this episode, Jordyn and Sam celebrate Michigan State's historic win against Notre Dame and look forward to their upcoming match against Arkansas. Jordyn shares the intense emotions of the game and the experience of watching from the sidelines due to injury.
The episode transitions into a comprehensive recap of Big Ten women's soccer, highlighting major moments like Iowa's controversial match against Oregon State and Nebraska's surprising loss to Oklahoma State. Jordan and the host delve into the implications of these games and the different dynamics at play.
In a special segment, the episode features an interview with Mackenzie Jones, who transferred from Grand Valley State University to Purdue University for her fifth year. Mackenzie shares her journey, the challenges of the transfer portal, and the differences between Division II and Big Ten soccer.
Additionally, the episode covers exciting international women's soccer news, including the crossover games between the Women's Super League and the NWSL, as well as the kickoff of the USL Super League.
Tune in for a blend of personal stories, in-depth analysis, and heartfelt moments that capture the essence of living "The Big Life."
Please subscribe to the BIG LIFE wherever you love to listen. Subscribe to Girls Soccer Network's GSN Newsletter to stay posted about upcoming episodes. Find Jordyn and Sam on their Insta's @sam.cary @jordyn_wickes Follow us on Instagram (@girlssoccernetwork) Follow us on Twitter @girlssoccernet Subscribe to our YouTube channel @girlssoccernetwork6137Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:04):
All right, everyone, and welcome back to this episode of The Big Life.
Jordan, 1-0 Michigan State. How are we feeling?
Feel good. Feel really good about it. You know, we opened up with a really tough
opponent against Notre Dame, and it is the first time, I believe,
in 35 years we have been able to beat them, especially beat them at their place.
(00:26):
So it's an amazing feeling I love every time one of those tweets come up because
you know we keep making history as a team and there's a program and everyone's
looking at you being like you went back to back champs what's next what a great
way to start the season and to have that come in you know and we had it was
a really tough really physical game we got knocked around quite a bit,
(00:47):
but coming out of it with that win is all that matters at the end of the day
and it's a really really nice feeling to go into our next game which is this
Thursday against Arkansas so we had that that's Sunday off.
We didn't play a second game this week. We had a whole week to prepare and get
into, well, when this episode drops, Thursday against Arkansas,
which is really exciting and
really nice too to let our bodies recover and really get into the season.
(01:08):
Absolutely. I love to hear it. And that's a perfect transition into what will
be our weekly recap of Big Ten women's soccer.
And probably, let's be real, a little bit of extra women's soccer news because
more women's soccer news never hurt anyone. And there's always some big headlines going on.
But with that being said, big moments in the big life this week.
(01:33):
Being headlined by Michigan State's 2-1, not really an upset,
but very intense game against home team Notre Dame.
So take us into more. You said, you know, it's a great feeling.
What was the game itself like? Talk about the goals. What was that feeling?
Yeah, yeah. So, I mean, for me personally, this is the second game I've ever
not participated in due to injury.
(01:54):
I was out on the sidelines, so I got to truly just watch it as a fan,
which is something I'm not really used to.
And as much as it sucks not being able to be out there, it was kind of exciting
because it was such an intense game going back and forth. We came out right
away, super strong, scored a goal almost immediately.
Unfortunately, Notre Dame followed it up pretty quickly. And it was tied 1-1
(02:17):
going into that second half.
And then again, pretty much right off the whistle, we were able to put another
one in the back of the net and kind of maintain throughout that second half
going into it and winning 2-1.
Like I said, this first time in 35 years. You know, we've played Notre Dame.
This is our third time now since my career.
Second game that really counts. We play them in the spring. So it's a scrimmage.
It's not really the same in the spring.
(02:37):
But, you know, they beat us last year when it was pretty brutal.
It's kind of our wake up call last year was that game against Notre Dame and
being able to kind of come back, reset and to do this right off the bat is really, really exciting.
And it's going to mean a lot to our team as we take this momentum going into
Arkansas, which I think are two of our tougher games in our kind of non-conference schedule.
(02:59):
Absolutely. I think that's a really great point. And I mean,
not that this is not always going to be about Michigan and state and Iowa,
but I think we would be remiss to not talk about Iowa women's soccer. Oh my goodness.
Happening in the big 10 conference this week with Iowa's first game of the season.
They were away in Montana playing Oregon state and they're up to zero at half
(03:21):
weather hits at halftime.
They go into weather delay and the game then stops and is not played.
And apparently, according to rumors, I can't say I was there.
Iowa was hoping to continue and play the second half the next day.
And Oregon State did not have that same hope.
And so the game was not played. And because it did not make it to the 70th minute,
(03:42):
that game does not count.
Jordan, what are your thoughts on this situation for Iowa?
I mean, look, if I'm Oregon State, I think it's the right call.
It's not a loss on their schedule. It's tactical.
It makes sense from that type of perspective.
I mean, from Iowa, though, they just got screwed.
I mean, seriously, they're just down a game now. I don't know how that's allowed.
(04:05):
I feel like there's something in your contract where if you write these games
and you're able to play them, you should have to play them out because that's how this stuff works.
Like we don't just pick teams like there's a contract between you and the player
and the team you're playing against.
And a lot of this stuff is figured out years and years and years in advance.
So the fact that they're able to just say, no, thanks. I think it's absolutely wild.
(04:26):
25 they're 25 minutes short of a win I mean that's tough
that's really really tough to be an Iowa fan and
to see that right now if you are one it's tough
to hear I mean you have a freshman that scored both the goals so
a freshman's having a breakout game for her in her first college game
scores two goals to go up to zero those goals don't count
for her now you know in any kind of record and
(04:47):
I think at a certain point you know like like you
said I don't I don't know the details I wasn't there I'm only getting
obviously one half of the story I understand that and
I saw a lot of very sassy tweets coming from Iowa women's
soccer Twitter page so if you if you need to chuckle there's
there's some good stuff if you know you know but with
all that being said I don't understand how one team can kind
(05:08):
of elect not to play and have that
not count as a forfeit like at a certain point like how does it
not benefit Iowa like if you don't want to continue the game
that's fine but how does that not count against you so it feels
like a weird loophole like you said if you're Oregon State it's
relatively tactical can't necessarily you know but
that's where the tactics and the morality seem to come into play and
(05:29):
Iowa definitely got screwed and you know
when you're looking at things way way down the line such as like RPI strength
of schedule games played you know having one less game is a potential to make
a difference maker and so that's that's really unfortunate for Iowa right now
yeah I didn't think about that either like you're talking NCAA tournament bid
and that could have been the difference between be making it or not if Iowa's the team on the brink.
(05:52):
So that's, yeah, that's just really tough. I don't understand how that's allowed.
I don't think it should be. I think you'll see some of Iowa's contract revisions.
I mean, we never see them, but in the future, I would suspect that they have
kind of claws in their contracts with teams that they're no longer allowed to
do this because, I mean, that's just crazy. There's no other way to put it. That's just crazy.
Absolutely. Other big headlines that I know caught my eye cutting out of the
(06:13):
Big Ten is number six Nebraska at home losing the first game of the season.
So they lost to Oklahoma State 2-0 in a pretty big upset.
And I don't know. I know I saw some crazy tweets about the upset that pulled
and how that was a different Nebraska team, especially when you have said Eleanor
Dale not there anymore. Jordan, what are your thoughts on this?
(06:34):
See, I think, I believe in their first game, you had Sarah Weber with a hat trick from what I saw.
I think she's the new Eleanor Dale for them. Very simply put,
she will fill in those shoes, and I think she is a fantastic forward and someone
to be reckoned with on that level.
I think what Nebraska is missing now is a Sarah Weber.
They need someone else to step into her shoes as she moves up the ranks here.
(06:58):
If you're looking at the box score with this, I didn't watch the game,
but with 22 shots, Nebraska only put four on goal with none of them converting.
Converting, Oklahoma State had 13 shots, three of those being on goal and two
of those being in the back of the net, which...
22 shots and four and goal. I don't think that's great statistics for you as a Nebraska team.
And I think, I don't know if this was just something out of the blue,
(07:21):
like a tough game for them, or if this is potentially something they're going
to have to struggle with throughout the season.
I think this is kind of the exciting part about being so early in the season
is you get to speculate on this stuff without much record to back it up for the rest of the season.
And so oh my favorite rumor well I don't even know if it's a
rumor but the thing I heard about Nebraska is they actually practice slide
tackles like in practice like they
(07:44):
have time dedicated in their 20 hours to practice like
slide tackling which I think is absolutely crazy and it
makes sense when you play them they're very I was gonna say as someone who's played
Nebraska for five years that adds up that one percent adds up I almost like
it though like if you're practicing it does that mean you can do it safer like
is that i don't know to practice that or is it is it no bueno i don't know i
(08:08):
don't know how i feel about that but it's a lot going on i don't know.
And speaking of emotions we have a rival in
michigan with a very upsetting weekend losing both
of their games one with a massive upset against
utah valley a little bit of backstory through this game I'm
pretty sure it was one to one until like the 90th minute when Michigan native
(08:29):
Faith Weber scores the goal that puts Utah Valley ahead so nice little I'm sure
there's probably some extra emotions out of that one for a loss in Ann Arbor
for Michigan and then they go to Xavier and lose 3-0 what's going on with Michigan.
Um michigan i mean they've had a tough go of it they won the big 10 conference my,
(08:53):
freshman year yep okay
so my freshman year they were top dogs they won
it and then it was all kind of downhill from there they lost a lot of players
and they have found themselves at the bottom these past few years pretty much
and i'm surprised a little bit by their schedule lineup up because you had Utah
(09:13):
Valley Xavier both losses and then they're going to Colorado.
For their next game and then they're at home for Notre Dame I
just if I'm throwing out predictions I would say they're going to go 0-4 in
these first four games I think this is a tough schedule for a team that struggled
in the past and North Carolina only beat Colorado 3-2 this weekend and so I
(09:35):
mean that says it there Colorado's here to play they're here to be a great team
and so it's a really tough tough battle.
I mean, as I don't know if we remember, but last year, Michigan finished ninth
in the Big Ten Conference.
So they did not make the Big Ten Tournament, but it's strong enough non-conference
to get them into the NCAA tournament.
And obviously right now we're not off on the start to make a repeat happen.
(09:55):
So it'll be super interesting to watch the trajectory of this Wolverine squad so far.
Absolutely. It's so hard to go at Colorado with the elevation change and everything
we went through last year.
That's a tough, that's a tough game. And I would be be surprised if they came
out with the win and maybe hopefully they turn it around here I think you know
preseason you always kind of root for big 10 teams although it is Michigan so
not really but it'll be interesting to kind of keep up with them I.
(10:21):
I don't know. They've struggled in the past, and I'm a little bit concerned
for their schedule here.
It looks like these first four games are going to be pretty difficult for them.
And how do you recover from that?
If you do go 0-4, that's mentally really tough to be able to recover from and
turn it around in time for season.
Absolutely. And you know, there's 18 teams in the Big Ten this year,
so we're not going to be able to give highlights on every single team's weekend.
(10:43):
But as always, you can find team social media to have more information.
And Jordan, I will always be back with the big moments in the big life to start every week.
But there's some other women's soccer news that is going on that I don't know. I feel like I'm drawn to.
And that is the Women's Super League from England crossing over with the NWSL this week for games.
(11:04):
So we had Washington Spirit versus Arsenal play on Sunday night.
And then on Monday night, we have Gotham versus Chelsea.
And so Arsenal did beat Washington Spirit. And I know, especially being overseas,
a lot of my Twitter feed, I feel like, is, you know, what is the best league in the world?
You know, where are the best players playing? And there's always debate. Is it NWSL? Is it WSL?
(11:27):
So on and so forth. So I know I've seen some Twitter spras going on between the two fan bases.
And it's going to be really interesting to see how these two different leagues really shake out.
Absolutely. I think it's a battle of styles. I, you know, I'm fortunate enough
to have gone over this past Christmas break and I played against some WSL teams,
you know, like the real roster teams.
(11:49):
And it is a completely different style than I think you see a lot of these NWSL
teams and just American soccer or football in general.
And, you know, I think from what I've heard, a lot of people believe that the
superior league is the WSL.
You know, NWSL is still popular.
Fairly new in comparison and they had brought over
(12:11):
a lot more talent and are maintaining a lot more talent where in previous years
a lot of the top Americans would go overseas and
play in these leagues so I think the NWSL is growing and
growing in strength but a two-to-one game is not a blow-up by any means so I
think it's definitely a statement and that we're here to compete and it'll be
interesting to see how the rest of these games turn out and I hope that they
(12:32):
continue to have these crossovers because they're super exciting to kind of
see that those differences the differences is in soccer.
That's what I was going to say. One thing I think it's beyond amazing to applaud
the ability for these two teams in these two leagues to square off.
I feel like when you see a debate about who's better, often you see them never
want to play each other because they want to keep that debate happening.
(12:53):
And so I think it says a lot. We have the battle of the champions,
the WSL champion versus the NWSL champion in Gotham last year.
And I think that that's going to be a really interesting battle.
You know, I did sit down and I watched the entire Arsenal -Washington Spirit game.
And there's some interesting, you know, like you can point out the fact that
like Arsenal is technically a preseason and they have a lot of new players on
their squad, whereas Washington Spirit is, you know, mid-season,
(13:16):
but they also didn't play with.
Hal Hershoff, Kermit Bethune, or Trenny Rodman, who were with the U.S. in the Olympics.
So, you know, you're always going to have your like, oh, well,
if we would have had her, well, if we would have had her.
Personally, as someone who watched the game, I think that Arsenal could have
finished even more chances and probably made it not as close to the game.
But when it comes to comparing the leagues, like you said, it's such a different style.
(13:37):
And I think the difference is the depth of the league in general.
I think the NWSL has a lot of really great teams where when you play everyone,
it's going to be a game. There is no gimme a games.
If you look at the WSL, you have Chelsea, you have Arsenal, you have Man City,
you have a lot of great talent at the top.
But then there does tend to be some disparity at the bottom.
(13:57):
And so I think that those are really the main difference.
I do think the top is the top in the WSL. but if
you're comparing leagues it's a different kind of truth yeah that's
a really that's a valid point very interesting take there
and yeah i just like i said i hope they continue to do this i think it's super
fun and exciting as a fan and it's it's definitely something to be able to look
at and compare these two leagues too another thing that happened is we had our
(14:21):
episode last week the usl super league kicked off with the some impressive crowds
here to start the season Absolutely.
There was three games in the Super League played.
There was a one-to-one tie with Tampa and Dallas, a 1-0 win between Carolina
and D.C., and a one-to-one tie between Spokane and Fort Lauderdale.
(14:41):
So really close games, but I think the more impressive thing was the crowds.
There was sold-out crowds in all three avenues, showing excitement about this new league.
There's a lot of questions about what it's going to bring, what does it mean.
But I think the biggest thing that this weekend answered is that there is an
audience if people want it.
And so I think that was the most exciting thing that stood out to me about this USL this week.
(15:03):
Oh yeah, absolutely. And I stand by my statement in terms of my opinion for
the USL from last week is you can't be mad at more opportunities for players.
And that's exactly what this is.
And it's exciting to see. It's exciting to see people support women's sports,
no matter what league it is or where it is, especially women's soccer.
So I absolutely love to see it.
And it'll be interesting to watch
as they continue to grow and see how the season pans out for all of them.
(15:25):
Completely agree. And that is it for our news this week. And what is big in the big life?
I am so excited about our interview today. We actually talked with Mackenzie
Jones, who transferred from Grand Valley State University, D2.
(15:46):
She played there for four years, actually overlapped, had the same coach as
Jordan for a year, Jeff Hosler, and then for her fifth year decided to enter
the transfer portal and ends up at Purdue.
So going from D2 to the big life. So we get all in with Kenzie,
talking all about her journey, her transfer portal, how she ended up in the
big life, and comparing Division II to the big life.
(16:07):
So, so excited for Kenzie to join us on the pod.
All right, and we are here with the incredible Mackenzie Jones,
who I'm so, so excited to have on this podcast.
A little bit of background on Mackenzie.
So she is from St. Petersburg, Missouri, and originally committed to Grand Valley
State University at a D2 level, where she played there for four years,
(16:28):
racking up numerous awards,
basically being headlined with national champion and first team All-American
at the Division II level.
Then for your fifth year, you decide
to transfer and you end up at Purdue University, now living the big life.
So Kenzie, thank you so, so much for coming on the pod.
Thanks for having me. Excited to be here. I have so many questions and I'm so,
(16:50):
so excited to hear a little bit more about your journey and your perspective,
especially as you've entered this new phase of your fifth year.
But I think my biggest question for you is after such a successful four years
at Grand Valley, what was the decision point for you to want to move on to another
program and enter the transfer portal?
So it was a super last minute decision. I didn't think I like kind of was like,
(17:11):
Oh, I'm going to transfer till end of April.
So I kind of like had one more spring game left against Michigan.
And I kind of hit me I was like, Okay, like I, I want to see what I can do.
I feel like I've accomplished everything I can here.
What's my next step? I didn't want to waste, not waste, that's the wrong word,
but I didn't want to just go through the motions of my last year.
(17:33):
I really wanted to push myself and see what I could achieve.
So I was like, okay, it's time to be uncomfortable.
It's time to really push yourself. And I just wanted to see if I could play
at that level. And here I am.
So did you always know you were going to to take that fifth year?
No, actually my freshman year, I was like locked down for the first five weeks
of college because like roommate after roommate kept getting COVID.
(17:56):
And Jeff asked me as soon as like we got it, he's like, so are you taking your
fifth year? And I was like,
I don't know, but I think I figured out after my sophomore year,
I was like kind of beginning of my junior year.
I was like, okay, I think I'm going to take it. Like I really enjoy college soccer a lot.
Yeah. So for anyone who doesn't know, Jeff Hosler is now the current coach for
Michigan State. He came in when I came in, but before that he was the coach at Grand Valley.
(18:20):
So you got a full year with him. So we have that in common. What was he like
coaching you? I'm curious.
He was very, he was very intense and he had very high expectations,
but he also was very good at like in little moments like kind of pulling you
aside and being like hey you're doing good like he kind of gave you that reassurance
but you really had to earn it it's like when you got a good job from him you're
(18:41):
like this is the best day ever okay okay yep.
It's like going into this you say it was a late decision to go into the transfer
portal especially because you know so much of the transfer portal seems to happen
after that December window.
And that's what a lot of the movement of girls are committing are right at the end of season.
(19:01):
So what was it like navigating the window, especially on a delayed notice compared to other people?
It definitely was tougher. Like I'd have schools respond and they're like,
Hey, like, like, Oh, I, we need like a six, like, and then they're like, Oh my gosh, nevermind.
Someone just changed their mind. They're actually coming back.
It's a lot of turnover happening at a lot of schools,
(19:22):
a lot of coaching changes and people trying to
learn their new environment so that part was definitely difficult but I
also had a lot of people vouching for me I had
three completely different coaching staffs in four years
at Grand Valley which is not normal and I
bet like at least one coach from every one of those coaching staffs was
like really great at giving advice and guiding me
(19:44):
and like vouching for me to other coaches so it definitely
helped a lot so as you're going through this process Purdue
eventually reaches is out what makes you decide that this
is where you want to call your home I really liked
so Purdue got new coaches this or November
and so they had like a whole spring together and then they kind of had a big
(20:06):
turnover rate I think they they cut some girls to create like a new environment
a healthier environment and so they had a lot of transfers coming in and that
made me feel a lot more comfortable like okay I'm not coming into this team
that's so close and I'm like that one outsider.
There's a lot of girls in the same boat as me, which I really liked that.
It's Big Ten, which is what I wanted. And I really like the coaching staff.
(20:28):
They're young, they're hungry, they're excited, they're passionate.
And I really appreciated that.
Yeah, that's super awesome. And
so you kind of talk about this decision of wanting to go into the Big Ten.
As a podcast called The Big Life, talking about our experiences in the Big Ten,
what was it that was like, okay, if I'm going to take my fifth year and want
that next level, Why was the Big Ten that you viewed as that next level for you?
(20:53):
In the spring, we've always played Big Ten teams. I played Michigan in the spring
because my third head coach came from Michigan.
So we would always play her team in the spring.
And I just enjoyed the level of competition. We played Illinois in the spring.
And then in summer league, just playing against a bunch of Big Ten girls.
I was like, okay, this is fun. I like this level of intensity and level of passion.
(21:16):
And I really had a lot of respect for it. so you go
into committing for Purdue and then
pre-season obviously start a couple weeks ago when
did you get on campus to produce like when did
that acclimation period kind of start for you so I
was actually it kind of shocked me I was one of the first people here
and I got other than the girls who I stayed over summer but I
(21:37):
got here July 17th and then
like pre pre-season started the 21st so but
the acclimation was really easy the girls were really great
very like as soon as they got here they're like hey like we're doing this or this
or this like come on and I was like okay so it was really nice so as you've
now had a little bit of time I know it's still pretty early into season but
(21:57):
going from Grand Valley to Purdue what are some of the similarities and differences
you've noticed between the divisions and the levels of D2 to D1 say the difference
is maybe Maybe consistency,
like at Grand Valley, like there would be great passes, great balls,
great ideas, but it wasn't ever like, it's not as consistent as it is here.
(22:19):
It'd be like one, I don't know. I guess that's a big difference is the level
of consistency and like technicality, finishing, defending, just everything all across the board.
But I think a big similarity is just the journey itself.
I guess I've noticed a lot. Like there's still girls who are going to thrive
and have a great preseason and play a lot.
(22:41):
And there's girls who are going to struggle and go through the same mental challenges
that anyone goes through at any school. I think it's very similar.
You know, I feel like there's an unfortunate, I don't want to say stigma,
but there's a mentality that surrounds like Division two universities and especially
one that you went to where you said you've played against Division one schools.
(23:01):
I know you've beat Division one schools.
You know, you're at a high, high level at that, you know, regard that some people may not see it at.
What kind of stigma or like, do you think you faced when committing and choosing
to go to a D2 that maybe you don't have now at a Big Ten?
I think not only committing to a D2, but a D2 that no one really knew what it was, where I'm from,
(23:23):
was definitely like, I think it was really good for me because it made me realize
like, I'm not doing this just to say like, oh, I'm going to this school to play.
Like, I'm doing this because I truly love the school. I truly love the environment.
I truly want to be there, not just for the image.
I'm doing it for the environment. And so I think it was really good for me,
(23:44):
but it definitely had some stigma. People were like, oh, like, what is that?
And you're like, oh, it's just up in Michigan. Like even here,
like after training, it's been like, oh, where's your old school?
And I'm like, oh, it was a D2 up in Michigan. And like, they're like, okay.
So it definitely had some stigma to it, which is understandable.
Yeah, you talked about the differences on the field, but we all know that the
(24:08):
big life that we call it is a lot more of being a student athlete and a lot
of different things that we somehow end up doing end up being a part of at our universities.
So what would you say has been like the biggest differences for you living the
life of a student athlete at a Big Ten school?
School yeah it's definitely different so
I'm doing like a communication leadership like online
(24:30):
certificate so not a whole lot of school
thank goodness but I will say like even my day tomorrow like I wake up I've
lift and then I have an individual session from 10 to 10 30 and then I have
film like individual film from 11 to 11 30 and then practice in the afternoon versus my old school,
(24:50):
it was like, okay, you wake up, you have practice and then lifts right after and then whatever.
So I think there's a lot more emphasis on recovery, rehab.
I'm coming back from an injury right now. So spending even more time doing that.
So there's just a lot less free time, I would say, in the big life than there is at Division II.
(25:11):
These individual sessions, are they structured with the coaching staff or is
it just something you do on your own?
We do it with one of our assistant coaches. So it's in Teamworks and you just
sign up for a time slot if you want to do it. It's completely optional.
And then they set the session up for you and it's extremely helpful.
Yeah, that's awesome. What have you noticed? You've been recruited twice now
(25:35):
as you go through your original process and then through the transfer process.
If you had to give some sort of advice, what have you noticed as you went through
this that you've learned or that you wish you knew or that you knew for the
second time going through it that you wish you knew the first time as you went
through this recruitment process?
Yeah, definitely. I would say something I kept in mind is know what you want.
(25:57):
If you want to come in and you want to play right away be aware of that and
know your strengths your weaknesses your limitations,
if you want to come in and really challenge yourself and see
how much you can grow I would say know that too that's what I recommend the
most like the worst thing I feel like you can do is set yourself up for failure
by not being prepared and by not knowing who you are as a soccer player I'd
(26:21):
also say style of play I'm very like I'm a possession oriented person like that's
It's my favorite thing to do.
I'm not, kick and run isn't really my favorite.
As a six, that's kind of normal, I think.
But I would say know your playing style, know the coaching that you like.
If you like a screamer, if you like an intense environment, know that and kind
(26:42):
of watch the coach during practice.
I kind of like that to an extent. I like an intense environment with positive feedback mixed in.
But some girls like just a very positive, relaxed environment,
and that's where they thrive in so I would say know your strengths know your
weaknesses know your limitations know what you want so now looking forward a
(27:03):
little bit you've had your first game day weekend Purdue winning or winning
one losing one this weekend what does it mean and what are you looking forward
to for this Big Ten season going forward.
Growth I'm so excited like we're a brand new team we
have I think 13 new girls something
crazy 11 new girls or something and just
(27:23):
the highs and lows and learning each other and
learning how we play together learning how to mesh and I'm
just excited to see what we can do I feel like this is just the start and
I feel like once we truly get comfortable with each other and get
a good understanding which we will I think it'll be
a really good season yeah luckily I
mean I guess unluckily with that answer like we play each
(27:46):
other the last game of the season for Big
Ten Conference play on October 27th so you guys got a lot of time to figure
it out here I'm a little nervous now it's so full circle I'm like first college
game with Jeff last regular season college game with Jeff I'm like wow a little
poetic maybe we'll have to like
(28:07):
play some mind games or something, have him start like yelling at you on the field.
I love it. One thing about Purdue this year is just the newness of it all.
You have a new coaching staff, you have a lot of new players,
and the Big Ten in general is new with four new teams being added and so much going into the ringer.
What is it that's going to make Purdue women's soccer successful this season?
(28:31):
I would say our leadership. I think we have really good leadership From the
coaching staff to the captains to the bench to everyone in between,
I think everyone has the same goal in mind of success and is willing to do anything
they need to do, whether it's on or off the field.
And I think that alone creates a culture that leads to success that I really
(28:53):
respect and appreciate and I think will help us thrive in a new conference and
in a new environment with new teams.
We kind of talked about a bit about the stigma in some regards of going D2.
And, you know, you talked about so positively your experience and saying that
that's what you needed at the time.
For an athlete who's currently, you know, debating about, do I want to go Division
I route? Do I want to go Division II?
(29:14):
What, I guess, advice would you say to them, especially emphasizing your pathway in Division II?
My biggest advice would be put your ego aside.
Don't care what people think. and if
they're like oh you're going like oh it's d2 like
don't care like be secure in yourself like know that
you are amazing alone for playing college sports because that's not easy at
(29:39):
all and like don't worry about what other people think if you find a d1 program
that you think that you're better than a d2 then that's great if you find a
d2 that's better for you than a d1 that is great too and that's still an amazing
accomplishment so that's my greatest advice.
Great advice. We talked a lot about how you got to Purdue now and kind of a
(30:00):
little bit about your journey at Grand Valley, but going backwards,
how did you end up at Grand Valley?
What was that kind of recruitment process and story like?
Yeah, so my club coach at the time was actually friends with Jeff.
So we had a tournament out in North Carolina.
And so Jeff saw me playing there and asked me to come to a camp.
(30:21):
And so I was like, all right, like, why not?
Because my coach was like, I think you should really do like,
it's a really cool school. And I never heard of it. So I was like,
but I researched it. I was like, okay, this seems really cool.
So I went out to an ID camp there.
And then Jeff came and watched me play a couple more times. And then he was
like, offered me like for the team, and I definitely still needed I wasn't ready
(30:44):
to make a decision And it was back when you were like committing at 15.
Thank goodness there's like new rules now. But so I just wasn't ready.
And he like really respected that I needed my time, which was nice.
And I think it was like a year long process because I was like,
I'm not ready. I don't know what I want. I don't know what I want.
And then August going into my junior year of high school, I committed.
(31:07):
I was like, okay, I know what I want now.
I know there's a lot of conversation, especially with like kids and parents
trying to figure out, are ID camps worth it?
Like, in your opinion, would you say like, that's something that you should
definitely do and look into if you want to get recruited?
Or is it something that you feel like
maybe only if the coach invites you personally, like they did for you?
(31:29):
No, I do. I think they're worth it completely. But I again, I feel like it goes
back to knowing your strengths and limitations.
Like if I would have gone to like a Stanford ID camp, I probably wouldn't have done much for me.
But like I found the schools that fit my skill level and that I knew what and
I think those were extremely beneficial for me to go to.
(31:50):
So overall, you're looking back 16 year old Mackenzie just committed to play at Grand Valley.
You have an incredible journey over those four
years like I said all-american national champion
so many things that I'm sure you'll treasure with ever now you're
taking your fifth year at a big 10 university going into
a brand new season with them looking back on that journey where do you feel
(32:13):
like the emotions what are the feelings when you think about that trajectory
that college soccer took you on just gratitude like it has been the best thing
for me ever like it's like I've had some really high highs. I've had some really low lows.
But just going through all of it and adjusting to all of it,
I'm just so grateful for it.
Grand Valley was the best thing for me for four years.
(32:35):
I loved every moment of it. And I kind of feel like I'm living on borrowed time
right now with just the COVID year.
And I'm just, again, grateful just to play Big Ten soccer too.
And not a lot of people get to experience both.
And it's an amazing experience. So just gratitude and just happy and just enjoying it all.
(32:56):
All right. You got anything else, Jordan? I mean, bonus points if you got anything.
Anything at Sam. I'll take anything.
There's got to be something embarrassing or like a story.
We used to do Guitar Hero in the
basement and we would dress up all in
like Sam's clothes and like they were ridiculous
(33:17):
outfits but like at the time we thought like I think Sam had some like button-up
plaid vest that was like we would like compete for every time just like who
got to wear it and then Sam would also like sing and she had her like little
glasses that she had when we were
younger and it was like the craziest looking
(33:38):
thing ever why are you
doing this to me it was i mean i was
right there with you like it was good it was not our best i had to move to europe
away from this imagery oh oh my gosh well ken thank you so so much for spending
some time with us we're super super grateful for you sharing your story and
(33:59):
we really appreciate it yeah thank you Yeah, thanks for having me.
This has been really fun.
Thank you again. I'm only a little embarrassed from some of the personal stories
that Kenzie has shared, but I'm so thankful for her joining us and really just
sharing her experience in that transition of going from D2 to the big life.
Yeah, absolutely. Amazing interview. It's always so nice to hear someone else's
(34:21):
perspective because like me and Sam will never know what it's like to be able
to go through that transition.
Both of us have stayed at our college for all four years. We
don't know what the transfer is like we don't know what other divisions
or other schools are like so I always love to kind of hear that perspective
and soccer is such a big world and there's so many different experiences so
just to be able to broaden it a little bit and Sam
(34:41):
I know you're in charge of editing now but those better
make the cut no promises no like I used to joke though like I don't know if
you remember the the meme going on from a year ago like what's your Roman Empire
and like I remember Remember making the joke like my Roman Empire is what goes
on in other women's soccer college programs and like trying to figure that out.
(35:02):
So I so appreciate we got we got two more gems about what goes on in Purdue
and what goes on in Grand Valley.
So I'm super excited for Kenzie for taking her time and joining us on.
Absolutely. I love the individual sessions and stuff that they sign up for because
a lot of our stuff is team oriented.
And then you can do those things if you would like to have an individual meeting with the coach.
But a lot of times it's small group or just team things.
(35:24):
So the fact that they just do individuals right off the bat that you can sign
up for and that they have it structured that way where it's not so scary to
sign up for them, especially as a new player coming in, I thought was really interesting. thing.
Absolutely. So Jordan, big week ahead, home opener, first time back at DeMartin
playing Arkansas. How are you feeling going into the game?
I am feeling, I feel good. We played Arkansas once before in my career.
(35:49):
We ended up going to them. It was at a time where Michigan State was not great.
You know, our reputation wasn't great.
So we went to them and we ended up competing really well. We lost one,
nothing, but we've had our fair share of opportunities.
I think Even with that loss, it was a huge confidence booster in our program,
our team, to see that we can compete with schools at that level.
(36:09):
Going into this game now, we're here to win. We are at that level.
We have back-to-back champs. We have done all the things. We have the success.
We have worked our butts off these past four years as a program to rebuild and
restructure to put ourselves in a great position to be able to not only compete
with them, but to win and to win at home.
So they're putting a lot of work into this game from a media department and
(36:33):
all that advertising is our first home opener.
Everyone's kind of moving in on campus right now. So I'm really,
really excited for that.
I'm also kind of sad, though, you know, this this is the end of the or the beginning
of the end, I guess, you know, this this one Notre Dame I knew I was sitting
out for because of injury and this game.
I should be back Tuesday. I don't know if I'll participate or not.
(36:55):
That's not my decision. Obviously, that's up to the coaching staff.
But I'll be healthy for and it'll be kind of.
The beginning of the end for my senior year here is we have my last first home
opener, my last home opener.
And then we've turned around to Sunday and that's senior night already.
And I cry every time I think about it. So it's going to be an emotional week, I think, for me.
(37:17):
My gosh, that's an early senior night. You guys are really, really kicking that
off early going into senior night.
Okay, let's dive in here. I remember my senior night. I remember bawling my
eyes out on my senior night.
How are we feeling going into that? like obviously I'm
sure a lot but talk a little bit more about that yeah I
went to dinner with a couple of my teammates last night
(37:39):
two nights ago I went to dinner with them two nights ago and you
know they're like really dived into like the logistics of senior night and everything
and I immediately started crying like ugly tears I just I'm not I'm not ready
you know I think they do it early in the season to kind of hopefully make it
less emotional for us because it's not truly the end.
(38:00):
But like I said, it's the beginning of the end. And it's one of those things
where this program has meant so much to me and you become nostalgic.
And looking back at my career, I have accomplished more than I ever dreamed possible for myself.
Michigan State has given me so many opportunities and I will forever be grateful
for this university and for this program.
And it almost like, it doesn't start the clock because we've already had games
(38:25):
for it, but it is so close to the beginning.
I'm like, you know, clock's ticking towards the end of my career here and my
end of my time in this program.
And I'm not ready for that to happen yet. You know, I'm so thankful and I'm
so filled with joy to be a part of this team and to be a part of this program
and to have spent my four years here that it's sad.
It's sad to think about and to see and to have it all kind of wrap up.
(38:48):
But it's also so amazing. You know,
the tears come because I had such an amazing experience
and to have something so special that
it hurts to say goodbye so badly you know
it's it's been amazing it's been an amazing career and we've talked about recruiting
process and my journey and all that stuff never in a million years would I have
suspected to be here to be in the position I am and to be competing on this
(39:10):
team and it's been it's been amazing it's gonna be an emotional emotional uh
walk though I am I got a bone to pick with our gymnastics team though.
Three of my roommates are gymnasts. I spend a lot of time with the gymnastics
team, love them, love those girls, some of my favorite people in the entire world.
But they scheduled something for the day, so they won't be there.
(39:32):
So I'm really mad at their coach.
But other than that, it will be a good night, I think. And we play Ohio,
so it seems fitting as an Ohio girl.
No, I mean, I remember my senior night, and not to put anything on it,
I remember I think my worst game of my college career was played on my senior night.
And I think so much of it is because you're thinking of the emotions and it
(39:52):
is so hard to say goodbye and like flipping that switch
so I'll be like oh and now I have to compete like because you
give your whole heart to a school and everything it represents
I know like honestly I still like I'm a year removed now from college athletics
just scary but like I find myself checking Iowa's timeline and being a little
remiss about like life and like I I know my time there is done and I've you
(40:16):
know that's the best thing but like
it's hard not to feel that way when it's a program you gave your whole heart and soul to.
So I think the biggest thing I can tell you is someone that had their senior
night last year is like, let the tears flow. It's okay.
I remember like trying to hold it in and be like, I'm not going to cry.
I'm not going to cry, but it's, it's good to cry.
It's just crying now. I mean, cause it's, it is emotional.
(40:40):
And so I think just like soaking those moments in, and I think the best part
is like, I do like that they've moved senior night so early because like,
that's not your last time on the field. And you know that.
And that adds a whole other weight. But there is something really emotional about it.
And you've given your heart, your soul, your blood, your sweat,
your tears, everything in this program.
And so it's a good way of honoring you instead of saying goodbye.
(41:01):
And so that's the best way to think about it.
Oh, yeah. I think it adds a level of emotion. It was going to be emotional for
me no matter what, because I mean, I bawled my eyes out in my high school and
like I just there was there was never a doubt I was going to cry.
But adds a level of emotion after my injury and being faced with the conversations
of retirement and just how draining my summer was with it and everything that's gone on with it.
(41:25):
I'm just happy to be here, that I get this night. I get to walk.
I get to wear the jersey still. I get to play.
Because as silly as it is, it is these little moments that mean so much to me.
I love playing soccer. I love the game aspect.
But when you're faced with this level of retirement or that conversation,
in the back of my head, I'm thinking, like, what about my senior night?
(41:48):
Like, what about these little moments come along with this season that you get to hold on to?
And to be able to go and to have this moment and to be able to be healthy and
to be able to compete and to be able to still play soccer,
I think it adds a level of emotion for me personally that comes along with it
in addition to it being an emotional day period because, like I said,
(42:10):
I'm not ready to grow up. I'm not ready to say goodbye. Yeah.
Yeah, it'll be some interesting pictures, I think. I don't think any of these
will be postable or turn out well at all.
I'm going to need a crocodile tear picture for you to be my new profile picture. So just so you know.
I am not a pretty crier. I mean, it's ugly.
(42:31):
I mean, I'm really nervous, actually, because if they post any of these,
I'm done for. I know it already.
I don't even know. I wonder what jersey we're going to wear. because if we wear
white too then I really can't wear any makeup I was
like mascara just running I mean I don't
know like personally if Michigan State soccer were to post it
like I will be reposting so big life fans need
(42:52):
to know if Jordan Ugly cried I will be your source of
media information I will literally buy photoshop
or facetune or whatever and you'll see the Michigan State
version of it and then you'll see me and they won't even look
similar at all and I won't care oh my god
real well i am so looking forward
next week to hearing how your special day goes i can't
(43:14):
wait for the program to honor you for such an amazing impact that you have and
i know it'll be beyond special and something you'll forever cherish so i'm sending
so much love to you from sweden to enjoy this night i know all of our listeners
are so happy senior day jordan we will talk all about it next week and for everyone else soccer on.
All right, everyone, and welcome back to this episode of The Big Life.
Jordan, 1-0 Michigan State. How are we feeling?
Feel good. Feel really good about it. You know, we opened up with a really tough
opponent against Notre Dame, and it is the first time, I believe,
in 35 years we have been able to beat them, especially beat them at their place.
(00:26):
So it's an amazing feeling I love every time one of those tweets come up because
you know we keep making history as a team and there's a program and everyone's
looking at you being like you went back to back champs what's next what a great
way to start the season and to have that come in you know and we had it was
a really tough really physical game we got knocked around quite a bit,
(00:47):
but coming out of it with that win is all that matters at the end of the day
and it's a really really nice feeling to go into our next game which is this
Thursday against Arkansas so we had that that's Sunday off.
We didn't play a second game this week. We had a whole week to prepare and get
into, well, when this episode drops, Thursday against Arkansas,
which is really exciting and
really nice too to let our bodies recover and really get into the season.
(01:08):
Absolutely. I love to hear it. And that's a perfect transition into what will
be our weekly recap of Big Ten women's soccer.
And probably, let's be real, a little bit of extra women's soccer news because
more women's soccer news never hurt anyone. And there's always some big headlines going on.
But with that being said, big moments in the big life this week.
(01:33):
Being headlined by Michigan State's 2-1, not really an upset,
but very intense game against home team Notre Dame.
So take us into more. You said, you know, it's a great feeling.
What was the game itself like? Talk about the goals. What was that feeling?
Yeah, yeah. So, I mean, for me personally, this is the second game I've ever
not participated in due to injury.
(01:54):
I was out on the sidelines, so I got to truly just watch it as a fan,
which is something I'm not really used to.
And as much as it sucks not being able to be out there, it was kind of exciting
because it was such an intense game going back and forth. We came out right
away, super strong, scored a goal almost immediately.
Unfortunately, Notre Dame followed it up pretty quickly. And it was tied 1-1
(02:17):
going into that second half.
And then again, pretty much right off the whistle, we were able to put another
one in the back of the net and kind of maintain throughout that second half
going into it and winning 2-1.
Like I said, this first time in 35 years. You know, we've played Notre Dame.
This is our third time now since my career.
Second game that really counts. We play them in the spring. So it's a scrimmage.
It's not really the same in the spring.
(02:37):
But, you know, they beat us last year when it was pretty brutal.
It's kind of our wake up call last year was that game against Notre Dame and
being able to kind of come back, reset and to do this right off the bat is really, really exciting.
And it's going to mean a lot to our team as we take this momentum going into
Arkansas, which I think are two of our tougher games in our kind of non-conference schedule.
(02:59):
Absolutely. I think that's a really great point. And I mean,
not that this is not always going to be about Michigan and state and Iowa,
but I think we would be remiss to not talk about Iowa women's soccer. Oh my goodness.
Happening in the big 10 conference this week with Iowa's first game of the season.
They were away in Montana playing Oregon state and they're up to zero at half
(03:21):
weather hits at halftime.
They go into weather delay and the game then stops and is not played.
And apparently, according to rumors, I can't say I was there.
Iowa was hoping to continue and play the second half the next day.
And Oregon State did not have that same hope.
And so the game was not played. And because it did not make it to the 70th minute,
(03:42):
that game does not count.
Jordan, what are your thoughts on this situation for Iowa?
I mean, look, if I'm Oregon State, I think it's the right call.
It's not a loss on their schedule. It's tactical.
It makes sense from that type of perspective.
I mean, from Iowa, though, they just got screwed.
I mean, seriously, they're just down a game now. I don't know how that's allowed.
(04:05):
I feel like there's something in your contract where if you write these games
and you're able to play them, you should have to play them out because that's how this stuff works.
Like we don't just pick teams like there's a contract between you and the player
and the team you're playing against.
And a lot of this stuff is figured out years and years and years in advance.
So the fact that they're able to just say, no, thanks. I think it's absolutely wild.
(04:26):
25 they're 25 minutes short of a win I mean that's tough
that's really really tough to be an Iowa fan and
to see that right now if you are one it's tough
to hear I mean you have a freshman that scored both the goals so
a freshman's having a breakout game for her in her first college game
scores two goals to go up to zero those goals don't count
for her now you know in any kind of record and
(04:47):
I think at a certain point you know like like you
said I don't I don't know the details I wasn't there I'm only getting
obviously one half of the story I understand that and
I saw a lot of very sassy tweets coming from Iowa women's
soccer Twitter page so if you if you need to chuckle there's
there's some good stuff if you know you know but with
all that being said I don't understand how one team can kind
(05:08):
of elect not to play and have that
not count as a forfeit like at a certain point like how does it
not benefit Iowa like if you don't want to continue the game
that's fine but how does that not count against you so it feels
like a weird loophole like you said if you're Oregon State it's
relatively tactical can't necessarily you know but
that's where the tactics and the morality seem to come into play and
(05:29):
Iowa definitely got screwed and you know
when you're looking at things way way down the line such as like RPI strength
of schedule games played you know having one less game is a potential to make
a difference maker and so that's that's really unfortunate for Iowa right now
yeah I didn't think about that either like you're talking NCAA tournament bid
and that could have been the difference between be making it or not if Iowa's the team on the brink.
(05:52):
So that's, yeah, that's just really tough. I don't understand how that's allowed.
I don't think it should be. I think you'll see some of Iowa's contract revisions.
I mean, we never see them, but in the future, I would suspect that they have
kind of claws in their contracts with teams that they're no longer allowed to
do this because, I mean, that's just crazy. There's no other way to put it. That's just crazy.
Absolutely. Other big headlines that I know caught my eye cutting out of the
(06:13):
Big Ten is number six Nebraska at home losing the first game of the season.
So they lost to Oklahoma State 2-0 in a pretty big upset.
And I don't know. I know I saw some crazy tweets about the upset that pulled
and how that was a different Nebraska team, especially when you have said Eleanor
Dale not there anymore. Jordan, what are your thoughts on this?
(06:34):
See, I think, I believe in their first game, you had Sarah Weber with a hat trick from what I saw.
I think she's the new Eleanor Dale for them. Very simply put,
she will fill in those shoes, and I think she is a fantastic forward and someone
to be reckoned with on that level.
I think what Nebraska is missing now is a Sarah Weber.
They need someone else to step into her shoes as she moves up the ranks here.
(06:58):
If you're looking at the box score with this, I didn't watch the game,
but with 22 shots, Nebraska only put four on goal with none of them converting.
Converting, Oklahoma State had 13 shots, three of those being on goal and two
of those being in the back of the net, which...
22 shots and four and goal. I don't think that's great statistics for you as a Nebraska team.
And I think, I don't know if this was just something out of the blue,
(07:21):
like a tough game for them, or if this is potentially something they're going
to have to struggle with throughout the season.
I think this is kind of the exciting part about being so early in the season
is you get to speculate on this stuff without much record to back it up for the rest of the season.
And so oh my favorite rumor well I don't even know if it's a
rumor but the thing I heard about Nebraska is they actually practice slide
tackles like in practice like they
(07:44):
have time dedicated in their 20 hours to practice like
slide tackling which I think is absolutely crazy and it
makes sense when you play them they're very I was gonna say as someone who's played
Nebraska for five years that adds up that one percent adds up I almost like
it though like if you're practicing it does that mean you can do it safer like
is that i don't know to practice that or is it is it no bueno i don't know i
(08:08):
don't know how i feel about that but it's a lot going on i don't know.
And speaking of emotions we have a rival in
michigan with a very upsetting weekend losing both
of their games one with a massive upset against
utah valley a little bit of backstory through this game I'm
pretty sure it was one to one until like the 90th minute when Michigan native
(08:29):
Faith Weber scores the goal that puts Utah Valley ahead so nice little I'm sure
there's probably some extra emotions out of that one for a loss in Ann Arbor
for Michigan and then they go to Xavier and lose 3-0 what's going on with Michigan.
Um michigan i mean they've had a tough go of it they won the big 10 conference my,
(08:53):
freshman year yep okay
so my freshman year they were top dogs they won
it and then it was all kind of downhill from there they lost a lot of players
and they have found themselves at the bottom these past few years pretty much
and i'm surprised a little bit by their schedule lineup up because you had Utah
(09:13):
Valley Xavier both losses and then they're going to Colorado.
For their next game and then they're at home for Notre Dame I
just if I'm throwing out predictions I would say they're going to go 0-4 in
these first four games I think this is a tough schedule for a team that struggled
in the past and North Carolina only beat Colorado 3-2 this weekend and so I
(09:35):
mean that says it there Colorado's here to play they're here to be a great team
and so it's a really tough tough battle.
I mean, as I don't know if we remember, but last year, Michigan finished ninth
in the Big Ten Conference.
So they did not make the Big Ten Tournament, but it's strong enough non-conference
to get them into the NCAA tournament.
And obviously right now we're not off on the start to make a repeat happen.
(09:55):
So it'll be super interesting to watch the trajectory of this Wolverine squad so far.
Absolutely. It's so hard to go at Colorado with the elevation change and everything
we went through last year.
That's a tough, that's a tough game. And I would be be surprised if they came
out with the win and maybe hopefully they turn it around here I think you know
preseason you always kind of root for big 10 teams although it is Michigan so
not really but it'll be interesting to kind of keep up with them I.
(10:21):
I don't know. They've struggled in the past, and I'm a little bit concerned
for their schedule here.
It looks like these first four games are going to be pretty difficult for them.
And how do you recover from that?
If you do go 0-4, that's mentally really tough to be able to recover from and
turn it around in time for season.
Absolutely. And you know, there's 18 teams in the Big Ten this year,
so we're not going to be able to give highlights on every single team's weekend.
(10:43):
But as always, you can find team social media to have more information.
And Jordan, I will always be back with the big moments in the big life to start every week.
But there's some other women's soccer news that is going on that I don't know. I feel like I'm drawn to.
And that is the Women's Super League from England crossing over with the NWSL this week for games.
(11:04):
So we had Washington Spirit versus Arsenal play on Sunday night.
And then on Monday night, we have Gotham versus Chelsea.
And so Arsenal did beat Washington Spirit. And I know, especially being overseas,
a lot of my Twitter feed, I feel like, is, you know, what is the best league in the world?
You know, where are the best players playing? And there's always debate. Is it NWSL? Is it WSL?
(11:27):
So on and so forth. So I know I've seen some Twitter spras going on between the two fan bases.
And it's going to be really interesting to see how these two different leagues really shake out.
Absolutely. I think it's a battle of styles. I, you know, I'm fortunate enough
to have gone over this past Christmas break and I played against some WSL teams,
you know, like the real roster teams.
(11:49):
And it is a completely different style than I think you see a lot of these NWSL
teams and just American soccer or football in general.
And, you know, I think from what I've heard, a lot of people believe that the
superior league is the WSL.
You know, NWSL is still popular.
Fairly new in comparison and they had brought over
(12:11):
a lot more talent and are maintaining a lot more talent where in previous years
a lot of the top Americans would go overseas and
play in these leagues so I think the NWSL is growing and
growing in strength but a two-to-one game is not a blow-up by any means so I
think it's definitely a statement and that we're here to compete and it'll be
interesting to see how the rest of these games turn out and I hope that they
(12:32):
continue to have these crossovers because they're super exciting to kind of
see that those differences the differences is in soccer.
That's what I was going to say. One thing I think it's beyond amazing to applaud
the ability for these two teams in these two leagues to square off.
I feel like when you see a debate about who's better, often you see them never
want to play each other because they want to keep that debate happening.
(12:53):
And so I think it says a lot. We have the battle of the champions,
the WSL champion versus the NWSL champion in Gotham last year.
And I think that that's going to be a really interesting battle.
You know, I did sit down and I watched the entire Arsenal -Washington Spirit game.
And there's some interesting, you know, like you can point out the fact that
like Arsenal is technically a preseason and they have a lot of new players on
their squad, whereas Washington Spirit is, you know, mid-season,
(13:16):
but they also didn't play with.
Hal Hershoff, Kermit Bethune, or Trenny Rodman, who were with the U.S. in the Olympics.
So, you know, you're always going to have your like, oh, well,
if we would have had her, well, if we would have had her.
Personally, as someone who watched the game, I think that Arsenal could have
finished even more chances and probably made it not as close to the game.
But when it comes to comparing the leagues, like you said, it's such a different style.
(13:37):
And I think the difference is the depth of the league in general.
I think the NWSL has a lot of really great teams where when you play everyone,
it's going to be a game. There is no gimme a games.
If you look at the WSL, you have Chelsea, you have Arsenal, you have Man City,
you have a lot of great talent at the top.
But then there does tend to be some disparity at the bottom.
(13:57):
And so I think that those are really the main difference.
I do think the top is the top in the WSL. but if
you're comparing leagues it's a different kind of truth yeah that's
a really that's a valid point very interesting take there
and yeah i just like i said i hope they continue to do this i think it's super
fun and exciting as a fan and it's it's definitely something to be able to look
at and compare these two leagues too another thing that happened is we had our
(14:21):
episode last week the usl super league kicked off with the some impressive crowds
here to start the season Absolutely.
There was three games in the Super League played.
There was a one-to-one tie with Tampa and Dallas, a 1-0 win between Carolina
and D.C., and a one-to-one tie between Spokane and Fort Lauderdale.
(14:41):
So really close games, but I think the more impressive thing was the crowds.
There was sold-out crowds in all three avenues, showing excitement about this new league.
There's a lot of questions about what it's going to bring, what does it mean.
But I think the biggest thing that this weekend answered is that there is an
audience if people want it.
And so I think that was the most exciting thing that stood out to me about this USL this week.
(15:03):
Oh yeah, absolutely. And I stand by my statement in terms of my opinion for
the USL from last week is you can't be mad at more opportunities for players.
And that's exactly what this is.
And it's exciting to see. It's exciting to see people support women's sports,
no matter what league it is or where it is, especially women's soccer.
So I absolutely love to see it.
And it'll be interesting to watch
as they continue to grow and see how the season pans out for all of them.
(15:25):
Completely agree. And that is it for our news this week. And what is big in the big life?
I am so excited about our interview today. We actually talked with Mackenzie
Jones, who transferred from Grand Valley State University, D2.
(15:46):
She played there for four years, actually overlapped, had the same coach as
Jordan for a year, Jeff Hosler, and then for her fifth year decided to enter
the transfer portal and ends up at Purdue.
So going from D2 to the big life. So we get all in with Kenzie,
talking all about her journey, her transfer portal, how she ended up in the
big life, and comparing Division II to the big life.
(16:07):
So, so excited for Kenzie to join us on the pod.
All right, and we are here with the incredible Mackenzie Jones,
who I'm so, so excited to have on this podcast.
A little bit of background on Mackenzie.
So she is from St. Petersburg, Missouri, and originally committed to Grand Valley
State University at a D2 level, where she played there for four years,
(16:28):
racking up numerous awards,
basically being headlined with national champion and first team All-American
at the Division II level.
Then for your fifth year, you decide
to transfer and you end up at Purdue University, now living the big life.
So Kenzie, thank you so, so much for coming on the pod.
Thanks for having me. Excited to be here. I have so many questions and I'm so,
(16:50):
so excited to hear a little bit more about your journey and your perspective,
especially as you've entered this new phase of your fifth year.
But I think my biggest question for you is after such a successful four years
at Grand Valley, what was the decision point for you to want to move on to another
program and enter the transfer portal?
So it was a super last minute decision. I didn't think I like kind of was like,
(17:11):
Oh, I'm going to transfer till end of April.
So I kind of like had one more spring game left against Michigan.
And I kind of hit me I was like, Okay, like I, I want to see what I can do.
I feel like I've accomplished everything I can here.
What's my next step? I didn't want to waste, not waste, that's the wrong word,
but I didn't want to just go through the motions of my last year.
(17:33):
I really wanted to push myself and see what I could achieve.
So I was like, okay, it's time to be uncomfortable.
It's time to really push yourself. And I just wanted to see if I could play
at that level. And here I am.
So did you always know you were going to to take that fifth year?
No, actually my freshman year, I was like locked down for the first five weeks
of college because like roommate after roommate kept getting COVID.
(17:56):
And Jeff asked me as soon as like we got it, he's like, so are you taking your
fifth year? And I was like,
I don't know, but I think I figured out after my sophomore year,
I was like kind of beginning of my junior year.
I was like, okay, I think I'm going to take it. Like I really enjoy college soccer a lot.
Yeah. So for anyone who doesn't know, Jeff Hosler is now the current coach for
Michigan State. He came in when I came in, but before that he was the coach at Grand Valley.
(18:20):
So you got a full year with him. So we have that in common. What was he like
coaching you? I'm curious.
He was very, he was very intense and he had very high expectations,
but he also was very good at like in little moments like kind of pulling you
aside and being like hey you're doing good like he kind of gave you that reassurance
but you really had to earn it it's like when you got a good job from him you're
(18:41):
like this is the best day ever okay okay yep.
It's like going into this you say it was a late decision to go into the transfer
portal especially because you know so much of the transfer portal seems to happen
after that December window.
And that's what a lot of the movement of girls are committing are right at the end of season.
(19:01):
So what was it like navigating the window, especially on a delayed notice compared to other people?
It definitely was tougher. Like I'd have schools respond and they're like,
Hey, like, like, Oh, I, we need like a six, like, and then they're like, Oh my gosh, nevermind.
Someone just changed their mind. They're actually coming back.
It's a lot of turnover happening at a lot of schools,
(19:22):
a lot of coaching changes and people trying to
learn their new environment so that part was definitely difficult but I
also had a lot of people vouching for me I had
three completely different coaching staffs in four years
at Grand Valley which is not normal and I
bet like at least one coach from every one of those coaching staffs was
like really great at giving advice and guiding me
(19:44):
and like vouching for me to other coaches so it definitely
helped a lot so as you're going through this process Purdue
eventually reaches is out what makes you decide that this
is where you want to call your home I really liked
so Purdue got new coaches this or November
and so they had like a whole spring together and then they kind of had a big
(20:06):
turnover rate I think they they cut some girls to create like a new environment
a healthier environment and so they had a lot of transfers coming in and that
made me feel a lot more comfortable like okay I'm not coming into this team
that's so close and I'm like that one outsider.
There's a lot of girls in the same boat as me, which I really liked that.
It's Big Ten, which is what I wanted. And I really like the coaching staff.
(20:28):
They're young, they're hungry, they're excited, they're passionate.
And I really appreciated that.
Yeah, that's super awesome. And
so you kind of talk about this decision of wanting to go into the Big Ten.
As a podcast called The Big Life, talking about our experiences in the Big Ten,
what was it that was like, okay, if I'm going to take my fifth year and want
that next level, Why was the Big Ten that you viewed as that next level for you?
(20:53):
In the spring, we've always played Big Ten teams. I played Michigan in the spring
because my third head coach came from Michigan.
So we would always play her team in the spring.
And I just enjoyed the level of competition. We played Illinois in the spring.
And then in summer league, just playing against a bunch of Big Ten girls.
I was like, okay, this is fun. I like this level of intensity and level of passion.
(21:16):
And I really had a lot of respect for it. so you go
into committing for Purdue and then
pre-season obviously start a couple weeks ago when
did you get on campus to produce like when did
that acclimation period kind of start for you so I
was actually it kind of shocked me I was one of the first people here
and I got other than the girls who I stayed over summer but I
(21:37):
got here July 17th and then
like pre pre-season started the 21st so but
the acclimation was really easy the girls were really great
very like as soon as they got here they're like hey like we're doing this or this
or this like come on and I was like okay so it was really nice so as you've
now had a little bit of time I know it's still pretty early into season but
(21:57):
going from Grand Valley to Purdue what are some of the similarities and differences
you've noticed between the divisions and the levels of D2 to D1 say the difference
is maybe Maybe consistency,
like at Grand Valley, like there would be great passes, great balls,
great ideas, but it wasn't ever like, it's not as consistent as it is here.
(22:19):
It'd be like one, I don't know. I guess that's a big difference is the level
of consistency and like technicality, finishing, defending, just everything all across the board.
But I think a big similarity is just the journey itself.
I guess I've noticed a lot. Like there's still girls who are going to thrive
and have a great preseason and play a lot.
(22:41):
And there's girls who are going to struggle and go through the same mental challenges
that anyone goes through at any school. I think it's very similar.
You know, I feel like there's an unfortunate, I don't want to say stigma,
but there's a mentality that surrounds like Division two universities and especially
one that you went to where you said you've played against Division one schools.
(23:01):
I know you've beat Division one schools.
You know, you're at a high, high level at that, you know, regard that some people may not see it at.
What kind of stigma or like, do you think you faced when committing and choosing
to go to a D2 that maybe you don't have now at a Big Ten?
I think not only committing to a D2, but a D2 that no one really knew what it was, where I'm from,
(23:23):
was definitely like, I think it was really good for me because it made me realize
like, I'm not doing this just to say like, oh, I'm going to this school to play.
Like, I'm doing this because I truly love the school. I truly love the environment.
I truly want to be there, not just for the image.
I'm doing it for the environment. And so I think it was really good for me,
(23:44):
but it definitely had some stigma. People were like, oh, like, what is that?
And you're like, oh, it's just up in Michigan. Like even here,
like after training, it's been like, oh, where's your old school?
And I'm like, oh, it was a D2 up in Michigan. And like, they're like, okay.
So it definitely had some stigma to it, which is understandable.
Yeah, you talked about the differences on the field, but we all know that the
(24:08):
big life that we call it is a lot more of being a student athlete and a lot
of different things that we somehow end up doing end up being a part of at our universities.
So what would you say has been like the biggest differences for you living the
life of a student athlete at a Big Ten school?
School yeah it's definitely different so
I'm doing like a communication leadership like online
(24:30):
certificate so not a whole lot of school
thank goodness but I will say like even my day tomorrow like I wake up I've
lift and then I have an individual session from 10 to 10 30 and then I have
film like individual film from 11 to 11 30 and then practice in the afternoon versus my old school,
(24:50):
it was like, okay, you wake up, you have practice and then lifts right after and then whatever.
So I think there's a lot more emphasis on recovery, rehab.
I'm coming back from an injury right now. So spending even more time doing that.
So there's just a lot less free time, I would say, in the big life than there is at Division II.
(25:11):
These individual sessions, are they structured with the coaching staff or is
it just something you do on your own?
We do it with one of our assistant coaches. So it's in Teamworks and you just
sign up for a time slot if you want to do it. It's completely optional.
And then they set the session up for you and it's extremely helpful.
Yeah, that's awesome. What have you noticed? You've been recruited twice now
(25:35):
as you go through your original process and then through the transfer process.
If you had to give some sort of advice, what have you noticed as you went through
this that you've learned or that you wish you knew or that you knew for the
second time going through it that you wish you knew the first time as you went
through this recruitment process?
Yeah, definitely. I would say something I kept in mind is know what you want.
(25:57):
If you want to come in and you want to play right away be aware of that and
know your strengths your weaknesses your limitations,
if you want to come in and really challenge yourself and see
how much you can grow I would say know that too that's what I recommend the
most like the worst thing I feel like you can do is set yourself up for failure
by not being prepared and by not knowing who you are as a soccer player I'd
(26:21):
also say style of play I'm very like I'm a possession oriented person like that's
It's my favorite thing to do.
I'm not, kick and run isn't really my favorite.
As a six, that's kind of normal, I think.
But I would say know your playing style, know the coaching that you like.
If you like a screamer, if you like an intense environment, know that and kind
(26:42):
of watch the coach during practice.
I kind of like that to an extent. I like an intense environment with positive feedback mixed in.
But some girls like just a very positive, relaxed environment,
and that's where they thrive in so I would say know your strengths know your
weaknesses know your limitations know what you want so now looking forward a
(27:03):
little bit you've had your first game day weekend Purdue winning or winning
one losing one this weekend what does it mean and what are you looking forward
to for this Big Ten season going forward.
Growth I'm so excited like we're a brand new team we
have I think 13 new girls something
crazy 11 new girls or something and just
(27:23):
the highs and lows and learning each other and
learning how we play together learning how to mesh and I'm
just excited to see what we can do I feel like this is just the start and
I feel like once we truly get comfortable with each other and get
a good understanding which we will I think it'll be
a really good season yeah luckily I
mean I guess unluckily with that answer like we play each
(27:46):
other the last game of the season for Big
Ten Conference play on October 27th so you guys got a lot of time to figure
it out here I'm a little nervous now it's so full circle I'm like first college
game with Jeff last regular season college game with Jeff I'm like wow a little
poetic maybe we'll have to like
(28:07):
play some mind games or something, have him start like yelling at you on the field.
I love it. One thing about Purdue this year is just the newness of it all.
You have a new coaching staff, you have a lot of new players,
and the Big Ten in general is new with four new teams being added and so much going into the ringer.
What is it that's going to make Purdue women's soccer successful this season?
(28:31):
I would say our leadership. I think we have really good leadership From the
coaching staff to the captains to the bench to everyone in between,
I think everyone has the same goal in mind of success and is willing to do anything
they need to do, whether it's on or off the field.
And I think that alone creates a culture that leads to success that I really
(28:53):
respect and appreciate and I think will help us thrive in a new conference and
in a new environment with new teams.
We kind of talked about a bit about the stigma in some regards of going D2.
And, you know, you talked about so positively your experience and saying that
that's what you needed at the time.
For an athlete who's currently, you know, debating about, do I want to go Division
I route? Do I want to go Division II?
(29:14):
What, I guess, advice would you say to them, especially emphasizing your pathway in Division II?
My biggest advice would be put your ego aside.
Don't care what people think. and if
they're like oh you're going like oh it's d2 like
don't care like be secure in yourself like know that
you are amazing alone for playing college sports because that's not easy at
(29:39):
all and like don't worry about what other people think if you find a d1 program
that you think that you're better than a d2 then that's great if you find a
d2 that's better for you than a d1 that is great too and that's still an amazing
accomplishment so that's my greatest advice.
Great advice. We talked a lot about how you got to Purdue now and kind of a
(30:00):
little bit about your journey at Grand Valley, but going backwards,
how did you end up at Grand Valley?
What was that kind of recruitment process and story like?
Yeah, so my club coach at the time was actually friends with Jeff.
So we had a tournament out in North Carolina.
And so Jeff saw me playing there and asked me to come to a camp.
(30:21):
And so I was like, all right, like, why not?
Because my coach was like, I think you should really do like,
it's a really cool school. And I never heard of it. So I was like,
but I researched it. I was like, okay, this seems really cool.
So I went out to an ID camp there.
And then Jeff came and watched me play a couple more times. And then he was
like, offered me like for the team, and I definitely still needed I wasn't ready
(30:44):
to make a decision And it was back when you were like committing at 15.
Thank goodness there's like new rules now. But so I just wasn't ready.
And he like really respected that I needed my time, which was nice.
And I think it was like a year long process because I was like,
I'm not ready. I don't know what I want. I don't know what I want.
And then August going into my junior year of high school, I committed.
(31:07):
I was like, okay, I know what I want now.
I know there's a lot of conversation, especially with like kids and parents
trying to figure out, are ID camps worth it?
Like, in your opinion, would you say like, that's something that you should
definitely do and look into if you want to get recruited?
Or is it something that you feel like
maybe only if the coach invites you personally, like they did for you?
(31:29):
No, I do. I think they're worth it completely. But I again, I feel like it goes
back to knowing your strengths and limitations.
Like if I would have gone to like a Stanford ID camp, I probably wouldn't have done much for me.
But like I found the schools that fit my skill level and that I knew what and
I think those were extremely beneficial for me to go to.
(31:50):
So overall, you're looking back 16 year old Mackenzie just committed to play at Grand Valley.
You have an incredible journey over those four
years like I said all-american national champion
so many things that I'm sure you'll treasure with ever now you're
taking your fifth year at a big 10 university going into
a brand new season with them looking back on that journey where do you feel
(32:13):
like the emotions what are the feelings when you think about that trajectory
that college soccer took you on just gratitude like it has been the best thing
for me ever like it's like I've had some really high highs. I've had some really low lows.
But just going through all of it and adjusting to all of it,
I'm just so grateful for it.
Grand Valley was the best thing for me for four years.
(32:35):
I loved every moment of it. And I kind of feel like I'm living on borrowed time
right now with just the COVID year.
And I'm just, again, grateful just to play Big Ten soccer too.
And not a lot of people get to experience both.
And it's an amazing experience. So just gratitude and just happy and just enjoying it all.
(32:56):
All right. You got anything else, Jordan? I mean, bonus points if you got anything.
Anything at Sam. I'll take anything.
There's got to be something embarrassing or like a story.
We used to do Guitar Hero in the
basement and we would dress up all in
like Sam's clothes and like they were ridiculous
(33:17):
outfits but like at the time we thought like I think Sam had some like button-up
plaid vest that was like we would like compete for every time just like who
got to wear it and then Sam would also like sing and she had her like little
glasses that she had when we were
younger and it was like the craziest looking
(33:38):
thing ever why are you
doing this to me it was i mean i was
right there with you like it was good it was not our best i had to move to europe
away from this imagery oh oh my gosh well ken thank you so so much for spending
some time with us we're super super grateful for you sharing your story and
(33:59):
we really appreciate it yeah thank you Yeah, thanks for having me.
This has been really fun.
Thank you again. I'm only a little embarrassed from some of the personal stories
that Kenzie has shared, but I'm so thankful for her joining us and really just
sharing her experience in that transition of going from D2 to the big life.
Yeah, absolutely. Amazing interview. It's always so nice to hear someone else's
(34:21):
perspective because like me and Sam will never know what it's like to be able
to go through that transition.
Both of us have stayed at our college for all four years. We
don't know what the transfer is like we don't know what other divisions
or other schools are like so I always love to kind of hear that perspective
and soccer is such a big world and there's so many different experiences so
just to be able to broaden it a little bit and Sam
(34:41):
I know you're in charge of editing now but those better
make the cut no promises no like I used to joke though like I don't know if
you remember the the meme going on from a year ago like what's your Roman Empire
and like I remember Remember making the joke like my Roman Empire is what goes
on in other women's soccer college programs and like trying to figure that out.
(35:02):
So I so appreciate we got we got two more gems about what goes on in Purdue
and what goes on in Grand Valley.
So I'm super excited for Kenzie for taking her time and joining us on.
Absolutely. I love the individual sessions and stuff that they sign up for because
a lot of our stuff is team oriented.
And then you can do those things if you would like to have an individual meeting with the coach.
But a lot of times it's small group or just team things.
(35:24):
So the fact that they just do individuals right off the bat that you can sign
up for and that they have it structured that way where it's not so scary to
sign up for them, especially as a new player coming in, I thought was really interesting. thing.
Absolutely. So Jordan, big week ahead, home opener, first time back at DeMartin
playing Arkansas. How are you feeling going into the game?
I am feeling, I feel good. We played Arkansas once before in my career.
(35:49):
We ended up going to them. It was at a time where Michigan State was not great.
You know, our reputation wasn't great.
So we went to them and we ended up competing really well. We lost one,
nothing, but we've had our fair share of opportunities.
I think Even with that loss, it was a huge confidence booster in our program,
our team, to see that we can compete with schools at that level.
(36:09):
Going into this game now, we're here to win. We are at that level.
We have back-to-back champs. We have done all the things. We have the success.
We have worked our butts off these past four years as a program to rebuild and
restructure to put ourselves in a great position to be able to not only compete
with them, but to win and to win at home.
So they're putting a lot of work into this game from a media department and
(36:33):
all that advertising is our first home opener.
Everyone's kind of moving in on campus right now. So I'm really,
really excited for that.
I'm also kind of sad, though, you know, this this is the end of the or the beginning
of the end, I guess, you know, this this one Notre Dame I knew I was sitting
out for because of injury and this game.
I should be back Tuesday. I don't know if I'll participate or not.
(36:55):
That's not my decision. Obviously, that's up to the coaching staff.
But I'll be healthy for and it'll be kind of.
The beginning of the end for my senior year here is we have my last first home
opener, my last home opener.
And then we've turned around to Sunday and that's senior night already.
And I cry every time I think about it. So it's going to be an emotional week, I think, for me.
(37:17):
My gosh, that's an early senior night. You guys are really, really kicking that
off early going into senior night.
Okay, let's dive in here. I remember my senior night. I remember bawling my
eyes out on my senior night.
How are we feeling going into that? like obviously I'm
sure a lot but talk a little bit more about that yeah I
went to dinner with a couple of my teammates last night
(37:39):
two nights ago I went to dinner with them two nights ago and you
know they're like really dived into like the logistics of senior night and everything
and I immediately started crying like ugly tears I just I'm not I'm not ready
you know I think they do it early in the season to kind of hopefully make it
less emotional for us because it's not truly the end.
(38:00):
But like I said, it's the beginning of the end. And it's one of those things
where this program has meant so much to me and you become nostalgic.
And looking back at my career, I have accomplished more than I ever dreamed possible for myself.
Michigan State has given me so many opportunities and I will forever be grateful
for this university and for this program.
And it almost like, it doesn't start the clock because we've already had games
(38:25):
for it, but it is so close to the beginning.
I'm like, you know, clock's ticking towards the end of my career here and my
end of my time in this program.
And I'm not ready for that to happen yet. You know, I'm so thankful and I'm
so filled with joy to be a part of this team and to be a part of this program
and to have spent my four years here that it's sad.
It's sad to think about and to see and to have it all kind of wrap up.
(38:48):
But it's also so amazing. You know,
the tears come because I had such an amazing experience
and to have something so special that
it hurts to say goodbye so badly you know
it's it's been amazing it's been an amazing career and we've talked about recruiting
process and my journey and all that stuff never in a million years would I have
suspected to be here to be in the position I am and to be competing on this
(39:10):
team and it's been it's been amazing it's gonna be an emotional emotional uh
walk though I am I got a bone to pick with our gymnastics team though.
Three of my roommates are gymnasts. I spend a lot of time with the gymnastics
team, love them, love those girls, some of my favorite people in the entire world.
But they scheduled something for the day, so they won't be there.
(39:32):
So I'm really mad at their coach.
But other than that, it will be a good night, I think. And we play Ohio,
so it seems fitting as an Ohio girl.
No, I mean, I remember my senior night, and not to put anything on it,
I remember I think my worst game of my college career was played on my senior night.
And I think so much of it is because you're thinking of the emotions and it
(39:52):
is so hard to say goodbye and like flipping that switch
so I'll be like oh and now I have to compete like because you
give your whole heart to a school and everything it represents
I know like honestly I still like I'm a year removed now from college athletics
just scary but like I find myself checking Iowa's timeline and being a little
remiss about like life and like I I know my time there is done and I've you
(40:16):
know that's the best thing but like
it's hard not to feel that way when it's a program you gave your whole heart and soul to.
So I think the biggest thing I can tell you is someone that had their senior
night last year is like, let the tears flow. It's okay.
I remember like trying to hold it in and be like, I'm not going to cry.
I'm not going to cry, but it's, it's good to cry.
It's just crying now. I mean, cause it's, it is emotional.
(40:40):
And so I think just like soaking those moments in, and I think the best part
is like, I do like that they've moved senior night so early because like,
that's not your last time on the field. And you know that.
And that adds a whole other weight. But there is something really emotional about it.
And you've given your heart, your soul, your blood, your sweat,
your tears, everything in this program.
And so it's a good way of honoring you instead of saying goodbye.
(41:01):
And so that's the best way to think about it.
Oh, yeah. I think it adds a level of emotion. It was going to be emotional for
me no matter what, because I mean, I bawled my eyes out in my high school and
like I just there was there was never a doubt I was going to cry.
But adds a level of emotion after my injury and being faced with the conversations
of retirement and just how draining my summer was with it and everything that's gone on with it.
(41:25):
I'm just happy to be here, that I get this night. I get to walk.
I get to wear the jersey still. I get to play.
Because as silly as it is, it is these little moments that mean so much to me.
I love playing soccer. I love the game aspect.
But when you're faced with this level of retirement or that conversation,
in the back of my head, I'm thinking, like, what about my senior night?
(41:48):
Like, what about these little moments come along with this season that you get to hold on to?
And to be able to go and to have this moment and to be able to be healthy and
to be able to compete and to be able to still play soccer,
I think it adds a level of emotion for me personally that comes along with it
in addition to it being an emotional day period because, like I said,
(42:10):
I'm not ready to grow up. I'm not ready to say goodbye. Yeah.
Yeah, it'll be some interesting pictures, I think. I don't think any of these
will be postable or turn out well at all.
I'm going to need a crocodile tear picture for you to be my new profile picture. So just so you know.
I am not a pretty crier. I mean, it's ugly.
(42:31):
I mean, I'm really nervous, actually, because if they post any of these,
I'm done for. I know it already.
I don't even know. I wonder what jersey we're going to wear. because if we wear
white too then I really can't wear any makeup I was
like mascara just running I mean I don't
know like personally if Michigan State soccer were to post it
like I will be reposting so big life fans need
(42:52):
to know if Jordan Ugly cried I will be your source of
media information I will literally buy photoshop
or facetune or whatever and you'll see the Michigan State
version of it and then you'll see me and they won't even look
similar at all and I won't care oh my god
real well i am so looking forward
next week to hearing how your special day goes i can't
(43:14):
wait for the program to honor you for such an amazing impact that you have and
i know it'll be beyond special and something you'll forever cherish so i'm sending
so much love to you from sweden to enjoy this night i know all of our listeners
are so happy senior day jordan we will talk all about it next week and for everyone else soccer on.
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