University of Minnesota Athletics
Making a Difference: Dagney Willey
10/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Anyone who has seen the Gopher’s women’s hockey team knows the contributions that Dagney has made on the ice. Her blue line presence and overall intensity cannot go unnoticed. It’s the things done off the ice, out of the box score, that people do not realize happen on a daily basis that make her special. Now in her third year as a big sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, Willey has found a way to give back to someone in need.
“In high school, it always kind of struck me as something that would be fun to do. I was always the baby of the family so the thought of mentoring someone younger than me like my brother has done is something that was always in my mind,” said Willey.
“After my freshman year, it was something I researched a little more. I contemplated a lot because it was something I really wanted to do but didn’t know if I had time. I just went for it and it’s been an amazing experience.”
Dagney’s “little sister” endured a tragedy that could be considered distant to most. Kelsey, now 14, came to Minnesota from the New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina. With devastation in her former hometown, a friendly face was found in Willey. However, it has been an experience for both involved.
“We’ve been matched for two and a half years and it’s amazing how she’s grown up. She was eleven when I met her, just a little pipsqueak and now she’s going on fourteen and she’s become such a young lady,” said Dagney.
With the hectic schedule that goes with being a full-time student and a Division I athlete, finding extra time to accomplish anything beyond school and sport does not come easy. While the Big Brother Big Sister program is one commitment, it is only one of many. Dagney also participates as a member of the executive committee on the University’s Student Athlete Activity Committee (SAAC).
In addition, Dagney participates in weekly volunteer opportunities set up through the University’s Life Skills department and Anissa Lightner. This has lead to Dagney taking what little free time remains and putting it toward better causes like working with terminally ill children through the HopeKids foundation. As someone who has seen this commitment for the past three years, Anissa has seen the kind of postivie changes Dagney has produced.
“It started when she was in her first semester of her freshman year. Every week we send out an email with the volunteer opportunities on it and she would be one of the first people to respond,” said Anissa.
“She is one of the top two or three athletes who volunteers at the University. Anytime she can give back she does. I don’t know how she finds time to do that but it’s incredible, her dedication for giving back.”
This past summer, Dagney interned in the Life Skills office under Anissa Lightner, furthering her experience and commitment to helping others. In addition, Willey participated her third summer at Camp Jornada in Stewartville, Minn. This camp is a place for children affected by cancer. Working with the 11-14 year old girls was a challenge for Dagney, but in the end the experience inspired her further to possibly pursue a career in helping sick children.
“I’m going to look into coaching and training but I really want to work with sick kids, I have a passion for that. I might go out in a year and see what I want to do and talk to an organization like HopeKids and see if that’s option. I also think I might look at recreational therapy and go to grad school for that,” Dagney said.
Adding another chance to give back, Dagney has begun the training process for the Children’s Hospital Corona Hospice program. This upcoming spring, she will be matched with a host family of a terminally ill child. From there, Dagney hopes she can go in a regular basis and provide what she describes as a “really fun atmosphere for the kids.”
With all the commitments that Dagney has, you will never hear a single complaint about being strapped for time. However, despite being able to seemingly stretch herself without limits, there is one thing that Dagney hopes to find time for when hockey is over.
“When I’m done, I plan on getting back into music. I hope I can find a choir or singing group to join after because that is something I have a big passion for and I kind of got away from it,” Dagney said.
“It basically started when I was five or six years old and sitting around the house singing all the time. My mom and dad decided to put me in voice lessons in second grade and I started in choirs in fourth grade. I sang in small little groups and did voice lessons through high school. It’s a good outlet for me. The athletic world can have a lot of stress and it just makes for a good outlet.”
Overall, Dagney has found a way to give back without it affecting her negatively on the ice. Willey knows that once the skates are on and the puck drops, there’s no room for compassion.
“I get very focused at the games and I know what I need to do and what my role in the defensive unit is. You turn that switch, you can have fun at practice with your friends but when that game comes, you get in a different zone. Especially after a couple years, you know exactly what you need to do and how to be in that zone,” said Dagney.
With her senior year eyeing her down and viewing the past few seasons with unfulfilled goals, Dagney hopes this year will be a big one for the team. With a renewed sense of purpose and the desire to win it all, Willey sees this year as being special.
“It seems like we’re putting together all the pieces and practice has a new intensity, so hopefully we’ll get back to the Frozen Four. It’s been a while since we’ve raised a banner, I can’t believe it’s been since my freshman year that we’ve been to a Frozen Four.”
While Dagney’s giving back and putting in the extra effort has helped countless people off the ice, it has paid equal amounts of dividends on it. With her leadership and a sense of urgency, look for Minnesota to be raising another banner at season’s end.
Story by Ben Flattum, Athletic Communications Assistant
