P.J. Theisen reflects on excellent UST career

June 09, 2008

P.J. Theisen closed out a remarkable St. Thomas academic and athletic career in May as he helped the Tommies place fifth nationally in men's outdoor track and field. He placed third in the 400 hurdles in 51.92, the fastest time ever by an MIAC runner.

Theisen, who graduated with a 3.94 grade-point average in Accounting, is on the national ballot for CoSIDA Academic All-America consideration (team will be announced later in June). He's already won Academic All-America honors three times, and is a seven-time track and field All-American.

If Thiesen makes CoSIDA Academic All-America again in track, he will rank second in MIAC history. Only St. Thomas' Andrew Hilliard has won more honors (five) among conference student athletes.

He scored 233 individual points in eight MIAC championship meets (indoors and outdoors). Only UST legend Leonard Jones (247) has scored more individual points among all conference competitors. Theisen was a part of seven MIAC title teams in indoor and outdoor track.

Theisen also was a four-year starter in football and was an honorable-mention All-American and two-time All-MIAC wide receiver. One of 10 national finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy (the Division III Player of the Year), Theisen finished his career in the top five among MIAC players in two categories -- he was third in receptions with 218 and fourth in receiving yards at 3,223 yards. He also had 25 touchdown catches to finish with 150 points, sixth best in school history. He finished third in career all-purpose yards at 4,025. He had 100-yard receiving games in 13 of his last 19 games.

Theisen was named a National Football Foundation Scholar and became just the fourth MIAC player in 40 years to win the NFF's prestigious $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. He was was among 22 players in all levels of college football to be chosen to the AFCA's Good Works Team for exceptional community service.

Theisen recently was named 2007-08 MIAC Male Student Athlete of the Year by College Sporting News. He's also been nominated for an NCAA postgraduate scholarship.

P.J.'s two sisters also played big roles for St. Thomas teams in 2007-08. Katie, a junior with a 4.00 gpa, placed 20th at the national cross country meet and anchored the Tommies' NCAA indoor runner-up distance medley relay unit. She has led the Tommie women to a sweep of MIAC cross country, indoor and outdoor championships in each of the last two seasons. Becky, a freshman with a 4.00 gpa, helped the Tommie women's basketball team share the conference title and reach the NCAA playoffs, and also competed in outdoor track.

We asked P.J. some questions last week so he could reflect on his career and accomplishments:

Q-An injury knocked you out in your 2006-07 season, and you decided to come back for a fifth year in 2007-08. What sacrifices did you make in finances and career to make that happen, and are you glad you came back?  

A-Before my injury I was scheduled to graduate in four years and was planning on attending graduate school to get my Master's Degree in Accounting and get the 150 credits I needed to sit for the CPA Exam.  When I knew that I wasn't going to be able to come back and compete, I sat down with my family and discussed the possibility of returning for a fifth year, adding a major and getting my 150 credits at the undergraduate level. I have the most supportive parents in the world, and was pleased to hear that they would help me pursue my goals and return to school, even though they would have three children at UST during my last year. I know it was a strain on them financially, and I took on large amount of student loans to help get through the year, but my family and I felt like it was worth it to return and finish what I started. I feel it was one of the best and most rewarding decisions I have ever made, and now feel ready to move on with the rest of my life after finishing my athletic career on my own terms.      

Q-You were able to break a school and conference record in your last college race? You even broke the 20-year-old all-time best of your coach, Steve Mathre, from his college career. Talk about that record and what it means.  

A-From my first race at St. Thomas I have been chasing Coach Mathre's record in the 400 meter hurdles. I got close in 2006, missing by only 0.16 seconds at the national meet. Then, in 2007 while I was injured, Mike Leither from St. John's ran a great time and broke the MIAC record while I was sitting at home unable to compete. I knew that if I could get back to the level I was at in 2006 I would have a chance to go under those times. The day of the race, I had an opportunity to sit down with Coach Mathre over lunch before we went to the track, and he assured me that I could run under 52 seconds and break the all-time conference record. His words gave me a lot of confidence that day to run aggressively and run fast. When I saw the time after the race it was very overwhelming...as a senior you want to go out on a high note in your last race, and I felt extremely vindicated after all the watching, worrying, and wondering about whether or not I would ever run that fast again. I was able to finish with my best race, and I will always carry that with me.    

Q-After some time passes and you reflect on your total experience at St. Thomas -- in the classroom, on campus, and in athletics -- what things will standout?  

A-In the short time since my career at St. Thomas ended I have already reflected a little bit on my experiences. I think the thing that stands out above all are the people that I have been in contact with and worked with throughout my time. The wins and losses, along with the grades, will all fade but the times I spent with my teammates, coaches, and teachers will provide memories that will last a lifetime. I have been fortunate to meet so many amazing people in my five years at UST, and I hope to continue those friendships throughout the rest of my life.  

Q-Is there one or two athletic accomplishments that stands out for you that you're most proud?  

A-They say that in order to truly appreciate the good you have to experience the bad... which is why I think the 2006 and 2008 Outdoor MIAC Championships are two occasions that I am most proud of when I look back at my career. At the 2005 Outdoor Championships I had one of the worst meets of my life, and we lost the team title by seven points to St. John's. I really felt like I let my teammates and my coaches down, and I carried the memory of that day with me throughout the off-season and into the start of the next season. So when we hosted the 2006 championships at UST, it was an amazing feeling to step up with the rest of teammates and recapture the championship for St. Thomas. Similarly, when I was injured in 2007 I had to sit in the stands and helplessly watch as St. John's won the conference championship on its home track. As I prepared for the 2008 season I was filled with questions about whether I would be able to return to my form from 2006, and again help to reclaim the MIAC title from a very strong St. John's team. In the first race of the meet, one of our best athletes, James Ewer, was injured and as a result very few people gave us a chance to dethrone the Johnnies. However, just as we had in '06, everyone on the team rose to the challenge and put up big performances, and under a rain-soaked sky we again hoisted the Conference Trophy, and I got to take one last victory lap under the lights at Hamline's Klas Field.    

Q-Outside of sports, was there a moment, an activity or an award that you were involved in that left a strong impression on you or of which you're especially proud?  

A-I was fortunate enough to be the guest speaker at the athletic banquet of my old middle school, Holy Cross Catholic School, in Webster, Minn. I was asked by my former basketball coach and social studies teacher, Tom Kalina, who I hadn't spoken with in several years. Getting to talk to him again, I was extremely honored to have left a positive impression on him and to hear so many many kids and parents say how much they appreciated me speaking. It really made me realize how lucky I am to get to compete in athletics and go to school at a place like St. Thomas, because not everyone gets an opportunity like that.  

Q-You had a unique chance to compete with two sisters in St. Thomas sports this year, and all three were part of six MIAC team championships. Talk about Katie and Becky's careers and what that was like for your family?  

A-Having both of my younger sisters at St. Thomas competing with me this year was a very special experience, mostly because it had never happened before. Becky is four years younger than me, so we always missed being in the same middle school and high school by one year. So it was great to all be at UST competing, especially with the success that they had this year. Katie led the cross country team to the conference championship, and Becky was part of a conference co-champion women's basketball team. The track season was special for my parents, getting to come and watch meets with the three of us competing, sometimes in 10 or more separate events. While I leave UST as an athlete I have no doubts my sisters  will continue to achieve great success, and I hope that as long as they are around, I will always be remembered as "Katie and Becky's older brother" if for no other reason but that.    

Q--How are your going to stay connected to athletics in the coming months and years? Will you still compete in track, find a new activity or be involved in coaching?  

A-I would love to find a way to be active in coaching, no matter what level. I have been able to help coach both young kids just starting out in athletics, along with high schoolers, and even just helping teammates with certain aspects of their sport. There are very few things more rewarding than helping someone else reach their own personal goals, and so depending on my work schedule in the future I would love to help coach in some way. In terms of my own athletics, I will probably be busy with pickup basketball games and touch football games, trying to relive old glory and convince myself that I am still in as good a shape as I was back when I was competing at St. Thomas.  

Q--What career plans do you have with job and possibly graduate school? Where do you see yourself in 20 years?  

A-I will start working in public accounting for Deloitte and Touche in September, and see where that takes me. I eventually would like to continue my studies at the graduate level, perhaps pursuing an MBA.  Further down the road, I think I would enjoy getting into teaching someday, either at the college or high-school level, in finance and accounting. Hopefully I could also help coach, either in football or track and field, and try to help young people such as myself realize their academic and athletic goals.  

Q--What advice would you give to other Tommie student-athletes, especially those just starting their careers in 2008-09?  

A-I would tell any incoming freshmen to enjoy the good times they will have over the next four years, but don't forget the bad times, too. You'll look back with fond memories at both the wins and the losses.  And no matter how difficult or trying times become, keep working hard and keep looking for the light at the end of the tunnel, because often times the difference between the person who succeeds and the person who fails is that the person who succeeds just keeps working hard even though it seems like hope is lost. So keep giving all of yourself through the tough times and it will make the rewards of the good times that much more enjoyable. When everything is over, you will be proud of what you have accomplished and the fact you persevered.