Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/85024
Speaking From the Heart By Rick Klatt | James Allan Jaime Printy spoke from the heart. She talked about the importance of family, hers and the Hawkeye family. She talked about learning how to be a leader, to do the right thing and to outwork anyone and everyone. She talked about signing autographs, being a role model, and being able to have a positive impact on other people's lives, including young girls who, when she has the opportunity, she encourages to "chase their dreams like I did." She talked about watching a teammate struggle and being the one to pick her up. She also talked about being the teammate who was struggling and being picked up by a teammate. "I've learned what it means to be a part of this community," Printy told the 200 or so members of the UI athletics department staff who gathered in Carver-Hawkeye Arena's Feller Club Room for its September all-staff meeting. A current student-athlete is invited to speak each month throughout the academic year. "Last season, I tore my ACL for the second time. I was absolutely devastated. I didn't know how I was going to get through (the injury and rehabilitation) again. But, let me tell you just what happened… "I received the most support and encouragement from so many different people. People I didn't even know sent me cards, cookies, tweets, texts, letters, and their prayers. They told me they can't wait for me to get back (on the court), and they believed in me 100 percent. That is what it means to be a part of the Hawkeye family." Printy is expected to be on the court in October when the Hawkeyes officially begin practice for their 2012-13 season. Iowa opens its season Friday, Nov. 9, against Northern Illinois. It is the first of a Hawkeye basketball doubleheader scheduled on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena on the night before the Iowa home football game against Purdue. 49 "I have met some of my best friends (while attending the UI), friends that have become sisters to me," Printy, a native of nearby Marion, Iowa, told the group. "We have been through the good times, and have fought through hard times together. We share memories that will never be forgotten…these sisters will be life- long friends. "The lessons I have learned, and the way I have been able to grow as a young woman is priceless It is more than I ever expected." Printy recalled her decision to accept a scholarship offer from Bluder and attend the UI — a decision many thought she made too young and too quickly — as a high school freshman "Now that I look back on it, I'm surprised I didn't accept the offer on the spot," she smiled "It had always been my dream to come and play with the Iowa jersey on." Looking back on her Hawkeye career, Printy has "experienced many ups and downs, won big games and "lost some bigger games," but she is taking away far more from UI head coach Lisa Bluder and the basketball program. "I have been able to have a great example of what it means to be a great coach, mentor, friend and mother from coach Bluder," said Printy "If I can be the type of woman that my entire coaching staff sets an example of, I will be very successful in what I do. "My experience at the university has been better than I could have ever imagined I have grown as a young woman, I have made friends that turned into sisters, I have learned things like how to be a leader, and that will continue to help me the rest of my life, not just on the basketball court. "To wear No. 24 for the black and gold has been an honor, and I wouldn't trade it for anything."