Bordentown grad Carey rewarded for her persistence with Rutgers
Jess Carey has always had the dream to play college field hockey.
There were times, though, when the dream was more of a nightmare as Carey suffered, not one, but two ACL surgeries after choosing to attend Rutgers.
“I know I could’ve walked away,” said Carey, a Bordentown High grad, when tasked with the burden of two rehabilitations along with maintaining a full academic schedule at Rutgers.
“But, I knew I wanted to keep pushing,” she continued. “Through it all it made me a better person. It taught me how to manage time and it taught me never to take a game or practice for granted. It taught me to work hard every second I get on the field and every time I step in the weight room.”
After three years of working hard to get back on the field, Carey’s dream came true on Aug. 26 when she took the field for the first time in a college game when Rutgers hosted Towson.
“It was awesome,” said Carey, now a senior. “You work so hard for it and to finally have that opportunity, it was amazing. You work hard through high school, all of club and through two ACL’s and two years of recovery and when I stepped on that field everything came together.”
This weekend will be a special one for Carey as after No. 21 Rutgers (9-6, 3-3 Big Ten) faces No. 6 Penn State on Saturday it comes home against No. 12 Maryland for Senior Day on Sunday.
“It’s a day that encompasses everything I’ve been through,” said Carey. “It’s a time to look back and see how far I’ve come physically, mentally, emotionally and how far I’ve come as a player. It’s cool to have a day to just look back and reflect on it all.”
A true profile in courage, Carey never lost sight of her dream and she credits her parents, John and Sandy, her coach, Meredith Civico with giving her the support she needed at times to continue chasing her dream.
“I was talking to my Civico) about it and it really has put perspective into the game,” said Carey. “Every time you do something you do it like it’s your last time. No matter what the outcome, even getting on the field for warmups you have to make the best of it.”
When Carey couldn’t be on the field as a player, she became the team manager to still be a part of the team. The experience taught her a great deal in watching and listening and it probably stoked a flame to coach at some point.
For now, though, Carey is enjoying just being a part of the team and really loving the success of the Scarlet Knights.
“It’s amazing to be a part of all this and I’m so grateful,” said Carey. “We are doing so well, we are young and it’s so exciting to see our potential.”
Carey’s realized her potential three years ago when she began the long journey back to fulfil her dream.
“Every time I talk about it I get emotional,” said Carey. “Because it was such a hard part in my life. I struggled physically because you see your dream crushed, but you have to realize it didn’t. It’s like it has all come together and this is what I’ve waited for.”