Dream Big salutes the Lady Wildcats tennis team of Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., for their fourth consecutive Big Ten Championship. They won the title with a 4-1 win over Wisconsin at Indiana University's Tennis Center in Bloomington, Ind. Next, they host the Regionals, May 11-12, where they face University of Illinois-Chicago. This will be the Wildcats' 13th NCAA Tournament appearance.   

The 'Cats head to the Regionals with a 21-5 record, 10-0 in the Conference. Spearheading the team's success is Head Coach Claire Pollard, a former Wimbledon and U.S. Open participant. In her fourth season, Pollard is known as a phenomenal motivator, guiding her young team, with only two seniors and one junior, through a successful 2001/02 campaign. 

"On a daily basis, we remind the kids that it's a great honor and privilege to be part of something that's so much fun to do," said Pollard. "In everything we do, we keep things in perspective."

Rather than a collective approach to coaching, Pollard adheres to a more individualistic style. "We reach each kid individually to see what makes each one tick," she said. "We get to know the kids. What works for some doesn't work for others."

But Pollard believes that the key to success is to keep it fun. "We don't try to take things too seriously. Even though we work hard every day, and things can get intense, we keep a sense of enjoyment," said Pollard.

The team keeps loose by playing soccer on a regular basis. Although she says they don't play soccer well, it serves as a way for them to keep fit and be together. Any time the team can get together to celebrate birthdays and have ice cream is key to maintaining fun.

Pollard knows she's been fortunate to coach such a talented group of players. "We remind ourselves how lucky we are to be here," she said. "I think the girls can see how much I like my job and hopefully that translates to them."

She constantly tells her players to enjoy the collegiate experience. She could not be more proud of how the girls excel academically as well as on the tennis court.

Pollard, the 2001 Big Ten Coach of the Year, dreams big by "dreaming every day." She still has trouble believing that she is getting paid for something she loves to do. "I want to get the most out of everything we do. If you get the most out of the experience, then winning simply becomes a by-product," she said. "I receive more enjoyment out of watching the kids, seeing them grow and pursue excellence."    

Before the start of the 2001-02 season, Coach Pollard recited a poem to her team. The title of the poem ... Dream Big.

Dream Big

If there were ever a time to dare,
To make a difference,
To embark on something worth doing,
It is now.
Not for any grand cause, necessarily,
But for something that tugs at your heart,
Something that's your aspiration,
Something that's your dream.

You owe it to yourself, to make your days here count.
Have fun.
Dig deep.
Stretch.

DREAM BIG

Know, though, things worth doing seldom come easy.
There will be good days,
And there will be times when you want to turn around,
Pick it up,
And call it quits.
These times tell you that you are pushing yourself,
That you are not afraid to learn by trying.

PERSIST

Because with an idea,
Determination,
And the right tools,
You can do great things.
Let your instincts,
Your intellect,
And your heart guide you.

TRUST

Believe in the incredible power of the human mind.
Of doing something that makes a difference.
Of working hard,
Of laughing and hoping,
Of lazy afternoons,
Of lasting friends,
Of all the things that will cross your path this year.

The start of something new,
Brings the hope of something great.
Anything is possible.
There is only one you,
And you will pass this way only once.
Do it right.

DREAM BIG  

- anonymous