The Road To Becoming A Spartan
10/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 30, 2003
East Lansing, Mich. - Finding fresh and unique talent may be difficult for any college field hockey team. Michigan State's Michele Madison, though, has discovered that sometimes searching for that needle in a haystack is unnecessary. With a little help, the treasure just ventures to her.
With the hope of returning to the NCAA Final Four as well as notching another Big Ten Championship, Madison, State's head coach, brought a new wave of players from the Netherlands to East Lansing before the 2003 season. But Jennifer Beeuwkes and Veerle Goudswaard took different journeys en route to joining one of the NCAA's most dominating teams.
Throughout high school back in her hometown of The Hague, The Netherlands, Beeuwkes never considered traveling across the Atlantic Ocean to attend college and continue her field hockey career. During a recent trip to Europe, however, assistant coach Rolf van de Kerkhof, along with one of her family members assisted in Beeuwkes' decision. She made her choice without even visiting the state of Michigan.
"I wasn't thinking of coming here at all," Beeuwkes said. "But it was such a coincidence that Rolf came from this university. Plus my mom went her. I had never been here at all but now I like it here and our dorms are right by the field. I love this campus."
Adjusting to a team that has ranked in the top 10 throughout the season may have been tough at first, but Beeuwkes has had plenty of help.
"My teammates have helped a lot," said Beeuwkes, who has enjoyed a freshman season as one of the Spartans' offensive threats. "The language is still pretty hard but I can speak English where no one will make fun of me."
Goudswaard, meanwhile, already had collegiate field hockey experience before suiting up in the Green and White. She played two seasons with James Madison, accumulating 58 total points (21 goals, 16 assists) and was a two-time CAA All-Tournament Team selection. Nevertheless, Goudswaard originally thought about heading back to the Netherlands after her sophomore year until State's Annebet Beerman tried some convincing.
"I was planning on going home," remembered Goudswaard, "when Annebet, who is one of my best friends from Holland, just discussed with me about transferring here. So I did. I was a little familiar with MSU before I came here. I knew State had a really good program.
"I finally went on an official visit last spring and had a great time."
Since opening the 2003 campaign, Beeuwkes and Goudswaard both realized a dramatic contrast between Michigan State's coaches to those in the Netherlands.
"In Holland they are basically part time," said Goudswaard, who hails from the town of Houten. "They don't really get paid for it. It's just something they do on the side. Here, Coach Madison asks for lots of feedback from the players which I think is really good in that she knows what's going on with the team."
Beeuwkes could not agree more.
"The coaches put a lot of effort into this team," Beeuwkes pointed out. "That really helps us play better. They understand you very well. Michele is just terrific and talks to us a lot which is great."
MSU's competitive schedule did not even affect Beeuwkes or Goudswaard on their way towards evolving into a dominating duo. With guidance from both their coaches and teammates, Beeuwkes and Goudswaard quickly became names splattered on almost every stat sheet. Through 16 games, Beeuwkes sat fourth on the team in points (18) while Goudswaard led State in shots (72) and was second behind Alexandra Kyser in points with 32.
These numbers must have Madison pleased with the treasures that selected Michigan State. Fortunately for the MSU head coach, the search for championships has become a little easier.
