Makipaa still active despite broken leg

By DARREN STEELE
Collegian Staff Writer

Jorma Makipaa's eyes focused intensely on the field in front of him. He watched as players from both teams moved up and down the field, in a hastened blur.

His expression changed from somber to elated as Ricardo Villar punched in a goal. This was his team, the Penn State men's soccer team, one that has been highly touted and one he was supposed to be on.

A team Makipaa should have been on the field with.

But he wasn't.

And he won't be -- at least, not this year.

Last year, as the 1998 season ended for the Nittany Lions, things couldn't have been better. They went 1-1 in the NCAA Championships, but they accomplished this with a young team, one that would return with a lot of stars, one that would return with Jorma Makipaa.

Or so they thought.

On July 4, as the nation celebrated its birthday, Penn State men's soccer coach Barry Gorman received a call from Makipaa, who was spending the summer in his home country of Finland. He informed Gorman he had broken his leg in his first soccer match of the summer, and the prognosis was not good.

In fact, it was terrible.

"Happy 4th of July, I thought to myself," Gorman said.

The news that Gorman just lost his star defensive player was hard for the coach to except. This was going to be the year his defense would be near perfect. Makipaa was to return with seniors Andy Thompson, Blake Novotny and goalkeeper Whit Gibson to form a blue and white trap that would spell doom for opposing offenses.

"Jorma was the heart of our defense," Gibson said. "He was always on you to perform better."

This would be apparent to anyone who has attended a men's soccer game this year. Makipaa is visible from the sideline, crutches and all, cheering for his teammates -- a position he would give up in a second to return to the field.

"In that first exhibition game, I was ready to jump on the field then," he said.

For a player who is used to going 100 percent, watching from the sidelines has been aggravating, and the fact he has to deal with his fractured leg has been a dilemma since day one.

"When it happened I heard the snap," Makipaa said. "When they were carrying me off the field, I was thinking, am I or will I be able to play?"

The injury has been a major roadblock for the sophomore, but the youngster has taken on the obstacle with a good attitude. He is trying to set a world record in healing, something he thinks might not be too far out of reach.

"I'm a tough guy," Makipaa said. "I play tough and I get on people's cases. I was in charge of things. I'd tell Derek (Potteiger), 'Go take this guy.' I took a type of leadership role."

This time, it will be Makipaa's turn to be hard on himself. The coaches and doctors all but swept away any chance of a return this season. Next week, he will embark on a long and painful rehab, including weightlifting, water resistance and running exercises.

But dedication is nothing new to the Finland native. He began playing soccer at the age of 6, and proceeded to become one of the top amateur players in the country. He led his club team to second-place finishes in the under-20 league, in '95 and '96.

Where most people would then set out for a career in the sport they loved, Makipaa joined the Finnish military instead, a duty that is mandatory for Fins.

"Sometimes it was very frustrating," Makipaa said. "Now that I look back upon it, I am glad I did it. You learned to take care of yourself."

Makipaa, who was a member of the mortar unit, was chosen as one of the top five privates in his class and eventually trained new ones.

Makipaa has transferred that role to soccer and his teammates.

"Jorma is still a part of this soccer team," Gorman said "He is committed to Penn State and Penn State is committed to him."

To understand Gorman's confidence, one only has to attend a Penn State men's soccer match and see the large leadership role Makipaa plays, even if it is just via his presence rather than his physical participation.

"Every time those guys go onto the field, I tell them to give it everything they have and to enjoy it," Makipaa said. "I tell them you never know what is going to happen to you, like what happened to me."