MGoBlue Summer Sessions: Head Coach Marcia Pankratz
7/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
July 22, 2011
Each weekday in the month of July, MGoBlue.com will feature an interview with a U-M head coach. Friday's (July 22) first interview is with the leader of the field hockey program, Marcia Pankratz, who discusses summer training, vacationing in Maine, and her first job working the night shift.
Why are the summer months so important to the development of the team?
I think the development is critical. It gives the players a chance to get a lot of experience. The more they play the better hockey player they become. To compete at a high level on the national and international scene is important to the development. It gives them a chance to focus on hockey without all of the strong time restraints of school. They get a chance to train and get physically fit. They can lift and really get stronger, faster and quicker without worrying about being fatigued for competition in the fall. It gives them a chance on many levels to make significant gains in their physical ability and their maturation as a hockey player, and they are ready to make a contribution to the team in the fall.
What do you see as the team's biggest strength heading into next season?
I think we're young, but I think that brings a lot of enthusiasm. We have a lot of athleticism and are versatile. We have a lot of good options in that versatility and depth at different positions. I think the five seniors in the group know what it takes to be a Big Ten champion, so they bring that experience to the table. The expectations from that group for the younger kids are high, and I think that's important to win the championship. They are eager to train hard, are eager to win for Michigan, and I look forward to the season.
What was your first summer job? And where?
Well, I was playing a lot of field hockey on the U.S. team so the ability to have a full-time job in the summer was tough, so I used to work a lot of temporary employment. The first one that I can remember, believe it or not, I worked for a chemical company in the Boston area and I did photoresists for computer chips. I was in the lab hydrating photoresists for computer chips and that was when computers were just starting out and nobody knew what the heck I was doing. I worked the 3 p.m. to midnight shift because I trained in the morning, and every once in a while I worked the 3 p.m. to midnight and midnight to 8 a.m. shift because I got double time. I tried to make as much money in the summer as I could. Those were some crazy, tiring nights when I worked three in the afternoon to eight in the morning but I made some pretty good money.
Do you or did you have any special travel plans this summer?
We have this fabulous cabin in Maine by a beautiful lake where my family all gets together out here in July. That's my yearly trek that I look forward to all year long.
Since your season ended, tell us one unique thing you have done?
Trekking up here (Maine) right after the ice went out on the lake to put the docks in. I had to put the docks in about 37 degree water and get it ready for another summer.
Past MGoBlue.com Summer Sessions
• Head Women's Basketball Coach Kevin Borseth (July 21)
• Head Men's Lacrosse Coach John Paul (July 20)
• Head Wrestling Coach Joe McFarland (July 19)
• Head Women's Track & Field Coach James Henry (July 19)
• Head Women's Golf Coach Cheryl Stacy (July 18)
• Head Rowing Coach Mark Rothstein (July 15)
• Head Women's Swimming Coach Jim Richardson (July 14)
• Head Volleyball Coach Mark Rosen (July 13)
• Head Men's Soccer Coach Steve Burns (July 12)
• Head Women's Cross Country Coach Mike McGuire (July 11)
• Head Men's Cross Country Coach Alex Gibby (July 11)
• Head Women's Soccer Coach Greg Ryan (July 8)
• Head Men's Tennis Coach Bruce Berque (July 7)
• Head Men's Track & Field Coach Fred LaPlante (July 6)
• Head Water Polo Coach Matt Anderson (July 5)
• Head Men's Swimming & Diving Coach Mike Bottom (July 1)
