Q: What led or motivated you to play?

A: I was drawn into hockey by my older brother, Dave. When I was five, he was 10. I went to the rink four or five times a week and watched in awe. I told my mom that hockey is what I wanted to play. So, she put me in figure skating (I'm not quite sure why), which was nothing more than a waste of time. After three lessons, my teacher told my mom she was wasting her money, and to put me in hockey. So, the following year, when I was six my parents put me in the Rochester Youth Boys Hockey League, in Rochester, New York. I was the only girl in the entire league at the time.

Q: In your hometown, what was the sports culture like for girls?

A: In my town, girls were either cheerleaders or played soccer. I started soccer the year after I started hockey, at age seven. The fact that I played hockey just baffled people. Other parents asked time and time again, "why would you put your daughter in hockey?" I had boys spit on me, and parents yell at me from the stands that I didn't belong, just because I was a girl. Back in the late 80s, however, the question of why put your daughter in hockey was valid because women's hockey was not an Olympic sport and there were very few college programs with women's hockey, and no scholarships.

Q: How did you get to where you are today and what would you attribute that to?

A: Hard work and determination both on the ice and in the classroom. Also, believing in myself and my dreams. I will admit at times I doubted myself and I questioned if I would ever get here and accomplish all I'd dreamed. It was at these times that I turned to my family and they would remind that the sky's the limit.

Q:What has playing sports done for you?

A: I've learned so many lessons from playing sports. Some of the most memorable include: how to handle disappointment (In 2001 I was cut from the Olympic training camp. I was devasted, but I bounced back and decided to walk-on to the Brown women's soccer team, in which I won a starting position). How to be a good loser (losing is not something I like to do, but I've played in two national championships and I don't have a ring yet). How to be a good leader (there is so much more to being a captain than I ever imagined). How to be a gracious winner (I've won two ECAC championships in three years), and how to handle pressure and criticism (I play for one of the toughest coaches in women's college hockey).

Q:At what point did you realize you wanted to go to an Ivy League school?

A: I think when I was in middle school. I was a straight 'A' student since kindergarten. I just knew it was something I wanted to do.

Q: Is there a certain athlete you admire and why?

A: I admire many athletes including Marion Jones, Mario Lemieux, and many more. For many reasons, but mainly because they are all great competitors.

Q: What is the significance of Title IX to you?

A: Title IX is hugely significant. I feel I would not have been able to excel as an athlete if the hockey programs at Brown were not equal. We split everything, ice time, weight room time, money, everything. To be the elite athlete I am today would not have been possible without equality.

Q: In your opinion, what has been a shining moment in women's sports?

A: There have been several shining moments. Every time little girls everywhere step on the court, ice, field it is a shining moment, because girls can do anything these days. Nothing is a ridiculous feat.

When the 1998 U.S. Women's Ice Hockey Team won the first ever women's hockey gold medal will always stick out in my mind. I will remember where I was when I watched, what I was feeling, everything. I think only because this is what I aspire for everyday: To be an Olympic athlete.

Q: Finally, what would you tell young girls who are interested in getting to where you are now?

A: To simply believe in yourself no matter what people say or do to try and get you to quit. I strongly believe, however cliché it may be, where there's a will, there's a way. Dreams do come true. This week for the first time I was named to the 2003 Women's National Team which will compete in China in April. I've worked my entire life for this and now that is has come true I just want to do everything I can to get even better.