December
7
ON THE COURT & OFF ­ JILLIAN PERRON '15: ATHLETE PROFILE
JillianPerronhadjustfinishedabasketbal
tournament, in which she was named to the
All-Tournament team, when she made her
way to the lounge of Maine Maritime's athletic
building looking through a photo album. Perron,
who was celebrating her 21st birthday, ran
through a gauntlet of emotions as she recalled
the first 21 years of her life with her mother, Jean
Perron, by her side.
Jean came to her only child's birthday gathering
with cash that Jillian would later use for veteri-
narian school applications, but before giving it
to her daughter Jil had to answer pre-arranged
questions on specific pictures in the album. Jillian
would have to earn it and she wouldn't want it
any other way.
The values instilled in Perron at a young age
and the intangibles that she possesses-- loyalty,
a strong work ethic, and the need to constantly
strive to improve--make her the exceptional
young woman that she is. To understand Perron's
drive, there needs to be an appreciation of the
It's this daily routine in Perron's childhood
Perron is in the Student Mariner Society, mentors
upbringing of the Maine Maritime junior.
where she developed her values. She started help-
children at the local elementary school, is a phys-
Though Perron was an only child growing up
ing her mom with the dogs at age four and racing
ics and calculus tutor, gives basketbal lessons to
in Skowhegan, the Perron household had more
at age six. "I had to learn those things because I
local elementary kids, and shadows at a nearby
than two mouths to feed. The Perron's took care of
was part of a team," she says.
veterinarian hospital. She accomplishes al of
upwards of 36 dogs at a time--a mixture of Sibe-
Perron juggled dog racing with field hockey,
this while carrying a 3.53 grade point average in
rian huskies and Alaskan malamutes--that were
basketbal , and band throughout high school
the Marine Biology program and juggling the
a part of Jean Perron's dog racing teams. Perron's
and was an honor rol student. Maine Maritime
time-commitment requirements of a Division III
daily chores with the dogs included feeding them,
women's basketbal coach Craig Dagan watched
athlete.
cleaning their kennels, exercising them, and tak-
Perron play in high school and liked what he saw
"There are a lot of opportunities we have here
ing them on training runs. Al of this, Perron says,
on the court, but was more impressed about what
at Maine Maritime," Perron says. "I want to take
had to be done before she and her mom ate. "The
he heard about her off the court.
advantage of them because I may not have those
dogs came first," she says.
"When I found out about the dog racing
opportunities later. That's what drives me. I want
background she had, I knew this was a person I
to be able to positively effect others."
wanted because of the intangibles she brings to
At the women's basketbal banquet following
the table," Dagan says.
the 2012-2013 season, Dagan expressed his admi-
Perron knew she wanted to play basketbal or
ration for Perron by telling the room ful guests
field hockey in college and ended up choosing
that he wants his daughter to grow up and be like
Maine Maritime for several reasons.
his team captain.
"Coach Dagan had a lot to do with me com-
"Jil represents everything that a good person
ing to MMA," Perron explained. "Castine is a
should be, first and foremost," Dagan says. "She's
beautiful area and the Marine Biology program
caring, loves her team, and wants to do the right
prepares a person for many different avenues and
things in the classroom, on the court, and off the
I like that it is one of the most challenging majors
court. She's honest, trustworthy, and loyal. She
on campus."
has qualities that I would want everyone to have."
Perron has continued her frenetic pace in her
three years in Castine and exemplifies the NCAA
Previously published in Bangor Metro, Feb. 2014. Reprinted
Division III mantra of discover, develop, dedicate.
by permission of the author Matt Blymier.
mainemaritime.edu
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