Nov. 9, 2011

CHICAGO - Sophomore infielder, Jacki Fletcher (Lowell, Ind./Lowell) sat down with UICFlames.com for the third segment of the "Fireside Chat", which features members from the 2011-12 roster. Fletcher discusses her commitment to softball, her life off the field and more.

UICFlames.com: Why did you choose UIC?

JF: I didn't want to be too far away from home because I knew I would miss my family too much. I also knew that UIC has a really good kinesiology program and since I knew I wanted to go into physical therapy that was obviously really important to me.

UICFlames.com: Who were your role models growing up?

JF: The role model I have for softball is Lisa Fernandez. I love her. I pitched growing up and she was a really good pitcher, but she also played a position and hit, too. My role models outside of softball are my mom and older sister because they are focused academically and they help remind me that it's okay to be working hard and studying and they tell me I'm not being a loser for studying because that is what is expected. They are both nurses and they have showed me that hard work pays off.

UICFlames.com: Do you have any nicknames?

JF: The juniors on the team call me "Jackstonian" and they say it in a really funny accent, so that's the one I get most here. In high school, everyone called me "Fletch", but it didn't stick here because none of my teammates really liked it. I also get "Jack", too.

UICFlames.com: What is the furthest from home you have traveled?

JF: I have traveled to California for softball. Last year I went there, and it's usually a lot of playing, but when I went there for nationals or week-long tournaments, we would go site seeing. When I would go to Colorado with my travel team in high school, we would go horseback riding and whitewater rafting.

UICFlames.com: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

JF: "Stay true to yourself," from the people back home.

UICFlames.com: Do you have any pre-game routines?

JF: I have a routine I started in high school where my coach back home, Chancellor, would talk to us about visualizing our success. I would go behind the dugout and sit in the dirt and close my eyes and picture myself fielding a grounder, seeing an inside pitch then an outside pitch and just picturing everything being success to give myself positive vibes before the game starts. I think it helps me. I still do it here, but I don't go behind the dugout anymore. I don't even think anyone knows I do it. It only lasts 30-45 seconds.

The Fireside Chat resumes Wed., Nov. 16 as UICFlames.com sits down with another member of the 2011-12 roster.

--UIC—