Jill Baker ‘17 has had a remarkable impact on the St. Lawrence University Women’s Squash team. In her four years as a Saint, Jill has played the number one position, has been named Most Valuable Player, and has finished this 2016-2017 season with an incredible record of 10-2. I have had the honor to train and play alongside Jill, and it is truly amazing to see what she has accomplished during her career with the Saints. Jill spends her time as a member of the team, a double major in English and Global Studies, and is also a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. For those who do not know Jill, she is a fun, loving, and is a vivacious character, and HerCampus StLawU wants to share some of her awesome experiences with you!
1. When did you first get involved in Squash?
“I have been told that I picked up my first squash racquet before I took my first steps. My family is full of racquet players, which I will quickly brag for my father- he played professionally, and my mother played recreationally. My parents encouraged both my big brother, Jamie, and I to try out the sport, and when Jamie became hooked, naturally, as the little sister, I followed in his footsteps. I started lessons with my dad at the age of 6. I was a bit of a lazy gal growing up, so he would need to incentivize each and every end of our lessons. He would challenge me to hit a certain amount of balls in a row, and at the end, if I had accomplished the goal, I would be rewarded with a chocolate milkshake topped with a mountain of whipped cream. The lazy little girl I was originally transformed me into a determined and ultra-competitive, milkshake-driven, ball-hitting machine…just kidding, I got a little chubby. I was soon cut off from the milkshakes. So all in all, I’ve been playing squash since I can remember, and have been questioned innumerable times about the sports’ legitimacy, or if it is just a vegetable.”
2. What has been your favorite part about being on the squash team? And how has it impacted your life at SLU?
“My favorite part of being on the squash team here at SLU is the family I have gained from it. I have always agreed with the notion that sports teams create potential for a support system you can always depend on, and they can give you the best friends for life. The squash team here at SLU is honestly so much more- as corny as that sounds. Our team is special. I am not only a part of the women’s team, well if we are being technical… then, yes, BUT, I feel I am just as much a part of the men’s team. We are one. It’s like a big, fat, diverse family, with countless accents, languages, and dialects. It’s the most incredible experience to be a part of a group from across the world that all comes together to play the sport that we love. I don’t know what I would have done without my team over the past four years at SLU. They kept me grounded, motivated me when I needed it, and have continued to love me even when I have a moody Monday, a terrible Tuesday, a weird Wednesday- you get the picture. I am so grateful for my squash family!”
3. What is your favorite squash memory?
“My favorite squash memory is when the men’s team beat the number one ranked team, Trinity College, in the spring of 2016. It was so exciting! The match was at home and the courts were jam packed with friends and family. The vibes at the courts were exhilarating and when the men won, both men’s and women’s teams came together on the show court and sang together “Oh when the Saints, oh when the Saints come marching in….” We were all euphoric. People may be reading this with a little confusion thinking it was the men’s team that won, but as I said before, the program is one. When the men’s team wins, the women’s team wins too.”
4. How do you balance life as a student athlete?
“I have a better question for you; do I balance life as a student athlete? Ha ha- dumb joke. Ok, so as a student, I managed to pick two of the most demanding areas of focus for reading and writing: Global Studies and English. I find it extremely heavy. Then to top it off with squash blocking off two hours a day for training, and of course my extremely demanding social life, I just don’t know how I do it! (Insert sarcasm, since I am sure some of you do not know who I am, and will not know how to read this, maybe insert the scene from the Grinch when he is reading his extensive list of To-Do’s… That’s the voice I am using when writing this in my head.) Overall, it’s difficult to balance being a student athlete, at first, but you get the hang of it with time. You need to utilize the long hours you spend on the bus rides to away games, and you need to push yourself to go to the library after a tiring practice. You need to prioritize going to the library over a Dana dinner with your friends, and you need to know you will make sacrifices, and you will be overwhelmed, and you may consider quitting, but don’t, because it is all worth it.”