Chalk Talk: Get to Know Steven Jaciuk

Nov. 20, 2014

Get to know senior Steve Jaciuk in this edition of Chalk Talk. Jaciuk has competed for the past three years in four events including still rings, vault, parallel bars and high bar. He holds a career-high score of 15.450 on bars. Off the compeition floor and in the classroom, Jaciuk is a two-time CGA Second Team All-America Scholar-Athlete and a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He was named captain in his sophomore season and has served in the position since then. He will compete in his final season in the Maroon and Gold this winter and is majoring in Finance and Applied Economics.

Gopher Sports: Who has been the biggest influence in your life?

Steve Jaciuk: I would have to say my parents. My dad came from virtually nothing from Germany, and built his way to a successful businessman but an even better dad. My mom is one of the most wise and honest individuals I have ever known. She knows just what to say at just the right moment.

GS: Do you have any nicknames from your teammates?

SJ: I would say that there is a plethora: Pa, Cap'n as in captain, and Corporate.

GS: What is your favorite gymnastics memory?
SJ: My career-high setting PB routine at Nebraska during my sophomore season. The meet came down to the last event: we were on PB, Iowa was on Vault, and Nebraska was on High Bar. I was the anchor, and just so happened to hit the best routine of my career and got my first stick on PB, sealing the victory and the whole team went absolutely ballistic.

GS: What made you choose the University of Minnesota?
SJ: I chose it due to the potential that I could see the team. As well, Mike Burns was the only head coach in the NCAA that showed primary interest in me, and I wanted to go to a program where they want to invest as much into me as I will into them. It's a two-way street.

GS: Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions?
SJ: I need to have a substantial breakfast with my coffee as a pick-me-up, I need my nap (hour minimum, I don't play games here people), and I have a playlist of music that I like to zone out to on the day of competition.

GS: What is your favorite event and why?
SJ: Definitely High Bar - I feel like it is the most anticipated event in the Olympics and it is a chance to really showcase my artistry and technique in comparison to the other events.

GS: Who do you look up to most on the team?

SJ: Russ Fystrom, also known as "The Oracle" or "Best Friend". It is virtually impossible for one human to have that much wisdom, but he pulls it off ever so smoothly.

GS: When did you start gymnastics? What made you continue participating?

SJ: I started at the age of 4 and my mom ironically put me in it since she thought I was "clumsy". Turns out I just needed glasses at the time, but I realized the skills were coming naturally to me and the relationships I built with coaches and teammates was the motivation to keep going.

GS: If you weren't a gymnast, what sport would you participate in?
SJ: I would probably engage in professional dance, primarily the art of "Crumping". I don't quite know the extent of what it is, but the movements make want to try it.

GS: What is your major and what is your dream job?

SB: Finance and Applied Economics. I would say the dream is to get into Private Equity and help manage a mutual fund!

GS: What is your favorite social media site?
SJ: I would say Twitter or Instagram. I like to pointlessly ramble and show off my humor on Twitter, and Instagram is a way to showcase my gymnastics talents as well as seek out others. I accredit my Instagram liking to sophomore superstar Zachary Liebler.

GS: If your life was a hashtag, what would it be?

SB: #CominAtYaHOT

GS: What is you favorite Minneapolis restaurant and what do you order?

SB: I would have to say Manny's Steakhouse. Literally anything on that menu will make my mouth water, but if I had to put a finger on it I would say one of their signature off-the-bone steaks along with broccoli or asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce.

GS: What is the best lesson you've learned since you started college?
SJ: There are too many, but what I tell everyone coming in is that college is the time where you learn the most about yourself. You'll have hardships and triumphs, but you'll also learn who you really are as a person and to embrace it. Be comfortable in your skin and surround yourself with people who are humble and that support you.

GS: If you could be a superhero, who would you be and why?
SJ: I would be the Human Leach. Not existent, but I would scale buildings and leach onto my victims to save the day.

GS: Who is your favorite athlete?

SJ: Probably Aaron Rodgers. He knows how to stay under the radar, he has a great sense of humor, can grow a beautiful pelt of mustache, and not to mention is arguably the best QB in the NFL. Overall a class act.

GS: What is your favorite holiday?

SJ: It use to be Christmas, but my dark horse #1 is Thanksgiving. It is a great day to be with the ones I love, share thanks for every opportunity I was ever given, a time TO ACTUALLY RELAX, and build up my testosterone levels by watching Football and eating a grotesque amount of food.

GS: If your life was a dance move, what would it be?

SJ: The Salsa - I'm a spicy kinda guy.

GS: If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be?

SJ: J. Cole. I obsess over his music and I think we would have intelligent conversation. I feel like he is a highly self-aware individual which I can appreciate.

GS: Is there a quote that you live by?

SJ: "If people don't know your dreams, then they can't shoot them down." or "No Days Off"

GS: What is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?

SJ: Walked the cliffs off the coast of California when I was 11, but I slipped down to the very edge with no control. I stopped at the very last second to only realize the end was about a 30 foot drop to jagged rocks and the ocean waves crashing. Talk about luck!

GS: What is your favorite TV show?

SJ: "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" - although it's politically incorrect, it's absolutely hysterical. "Workaholics" - a representation of my life. "Zoey 101" - Junior Captain Paul Montague can relate.

GS: What are your hobbies outside of gymnastics?

SJ: I love listening to new music (primarily hip hop), playing recreational sports with the guys on the team and eating other people's food.

GS: If you had to listen to one song and one song only for the rest of your life, what would it be?

SJ: "Dreams" by J. Cole. Favorite artist and favorite song!

GS: What is your favorite part of performing at the Sports Pavilion?

SJ: The history it holds and it is arguably one of the best venues in NCAA Gymnastics to compete at.

GS: If you had to describe your team in five words, what would they be?

SJ: Underdogs, potenital, hungry, inseparable and comical.

GS: Name one thing not many people know about you.

SJ: I just accepted a full-time, business analyst position with Target Headquarters after I graduate!

GS: Do you have any shoutouts?

SB: My mother Carol Jaciuk and father Michael Jaciuk for supporting me through all the downs and ups. As well as the new Swiss Turners verbal (should be written as well) commits Vitali Kan and Michael Harris. Way to keep the tradition going and I'm proud of you boys!

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Players Mentioned

Michael Harris

Steve Jaciuk

Vitali Kan

Paul Montague

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