FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Jamie Legner, Student Sports Information Assistant)

Oct. 31, 2011 -  North Central College senior Dominique Collins knows what it means to be a leader. A four-year starter on the Cardinals' women's soccer team, she has been able to balance a busy schedule, showing complete dedication to everything with which she gets involved.

Collins recently completed her senior season for the Cardinals, starting in all 17 games, scoring a goal and contributing to five shutouts as North Central finished with an overall record of 7-9-1. She finishes her collegiate career having started 59 of the Cardinals' 69 games the past four years, scoring three goals and contributing two assists

Q: What on-campus activities are you involved in?
A: I am a student ambassador (tour guide) in the admissions office, I'm involved in orientation staff, I've been a part of Premier Scholars Program, Red Alert dance crew, I'm also part of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Cardinal Athletic Training Students, I'm also on the committee for the Senior Class Gift.

Q:How do you think Red Alert will keep going after you graduate?
A: We have a lot of interest in the group and not many of the members are seniors and what's awesome about that is not only will the students that are underclassmen but hopefully they'll be able to keep it going the next couple of years. I'm also hoping to come out strong and I want to impress a lot of students on campus and hopefully get other students involved in what we're doing.

Q: What exactly is Premier and what does it help students do?
A: The Premier Scholars Program is a program for multicultural students who are underrepresented and who may have financial need or be first-generation college students. Basically we took a certain amount of classes over the summer and lived on campus and earned credit for those classes. We also took workshops, such as career development workshops, resume building, time management. It's basically a program that helps you transition from high school to college and it helps those students get a leg up on what the college experience is like.

Q: How long have you been playing soccer?
A: I first started playing soccer when I was 10 years old. So this season will make it 11 years.

Q: Have you always played the same position?
A: No. I started out as a forward and did really well. The first game I ever played, I scored my first goal, so I enjoyed it. Who doesn't like scoring goals? When I started high school, the coach of my Chicago Junior Fire team told me that I  had a better build for defense.

Q: As a defender, how does it feel when you score a goal?
A: I love scoring goals! Like I said, who doesn't? it's a great feeling, because I am helping my team by giving us the advantage and as a defender, not only am I getting my job done on defense I'm also helping my team by getting a goal.

Q: What's the hardest thing about playing soccer?
A: The hardest thing is the toll it takes on your body. Not only is it a sport where you run a lot but it's also a contact sport so you have girls bodying up against you and you have to run through each other and stuff like that. I don't think many people realize that it's a tough, physically demanding sport.

Q: Have you ever played any other sports?
A: I have never really played any other organized sports. I ran track here my freshman year. But that was the first year I had ever done that because I always played soccer year-round, but I loved being a part of the women's track team.

Q: What is your major?
A: My major is athletic training.

Q: Do you know what you want to do with that major?
A: I have a couple of options. I would love to work in the collegiate setting we have here at North Central, working with more than one sport. I would also like to go into strength and conditioning. I don't really want to do a physical therapy kind of setting. I would also love to go into the military and work as a civilian working with athletic training, rehab and strength and conditioning.

Q: Do you have any rituals that you must do before you play or practice?
A: I have a lot, actually. It's kind of funny because they build on each other . Once I do one thing and it works I have to do it and keep adding to it. I have to eat a banana before every game, I pre-game shower. I go by the saying “if you look good, you feel good and if you feel good you play good.” I have certain songs that I always have to listen to and I always get ready and visualize each game on the 31 yard line.

Q: What's your favorite thing about going to North Central College?
A: There isn't one specific answer that I can give. The reason I came to North Central College was a feeling that I had when I came for my tour. I really felt like I was home, I felt like I was a part of something and I think that that is something that I've had for the last four years.

Q: If you could recommend any one class at North Central College what would it be and why?
A: Right now I'm in a class with coach Al Carius and the class is HTB 490. It's called leadership ethics and values in sports and fitness. It's an absolutely wonderful class. A lot of people look up to Al, he's a great speaker. The class is about finding your core values and your philosophy that you base what you do in your sport, how you react with your teammates, how you take a leadership position, how you coach. And I really love that class because it's focused on you as an individual.

Q: What would you recommend that students do to get the most out of their college experience here at North Central College?
A: Definitely get involved! I love being busy and people always kind of look at me like I'm crazy but ever since I was a first year student, I was involved in everything. Obviously you don't want to get yourself too mixed up but I would say get a taste of a little bit of everything here at North Central College even if you don't want to join a club or organization, go to an event, study abroad or go to a musical event.

Q: Who do you look up to most?
A: I would have to say my dad. He has worked his whole life to make sure that me and my two younger brothers have the best that we could possibly have in our lives and I'm the first child in my family to go to college and he supports me in everything that I do. He's always there for me and I think he's a good example and a good leader and definitely someone to look up to.