By: Marissa Smego- Otterbein University

Westerville, OH- It’s no secret that the Otterbein University women’s basketball team enjoyed a historic season, but one of the most important players on the roster played a total of eight minutes all year.
 
Juju Grubich, a senior whose career recently wrapped up in the NCAA Tournament, saw the direction of her final campaign drastically change, forced to medically retire just two games into the season.
 
Grubich is a standout leader both across campus and within her program, making an impact in nearly every space she enters. Her radiance and positivity are unmistakable, leaving a lasting impression on those around her. She is a student trustee for the Otterbein Board of Trustees, on the executive board of Otterbein Student Government, SAAC President, a two-time team captain, and co-host for the Otterbein Athletics podcast, Bird’s Eye View.
 
All while completing clinical rotations in her Master’s program.
 
Grubich’s journey to Otterbein started back in 2013 when her sister, Christina, played basketball for one season with the Cardinals. A local product out of Gahanna, she was interested in Otterbein ever since. When she began looking at colleges years later, she vividly remembered Otterbein and knew she wanted to stay close to home and her family.

“It felt like home from the beginning,” recalled Grubich. “I never had a big inclination to go super far, I just kind of knew Otterbein was the place for me.”
 
She credits the home-like atmosphere, the 3+2 opportunity for her Master’s degree in Athletic Training, as well as head coach Diana Noles for sealing the deal for her to become a Cardinal. Adversity followed her from the moment she stepped on campus. A broken finger as a freshman, a boot and concussion protocol as a sophomore, another concussion as a junior saw Grubich sidelined often. But when her senior year arrived with a fresh slate, the unfortunate theme of injuries continued for Grubich.
 
“In one of our first fall practices, I was blindsided by a screen and got a concussion. When I came back from that one, I got elbowed in the face in our first scrimmage of the season against Kenyon,” said Grubich.
 
Grubich finally made her return to the hardwood, playing eight minutes in the Cardinals’ home opener against La Roche.
 
Just as it felt like she was finally back, she was elbowed in the head three days later at practice.
 
“After that one, the athletic trainers told me to prepare myself to see the doctor the next day because that was probably the end,” said Grubich, fighting back tears. “I saw the doctor the first week of December and was told I had to medically retire. I went home and cried at my parents’ house for a week and a half.”
 
Grubich was forced to hang up her shoes just two games into Otterbein’s season. Although she was heartbroken that her playing career ended this way, she learned to embrace the challenge of stepping into a new role, determined to be the best leader she could for her team.
 
“While my situation changed greatly, I didn’t let it change who I was as a leader. You see a different side of everything being on the bench and watching, and being injured so much in my career, this wasn't new to me,” said Grubich. “It was a struggle because sometimes I would remember that it’s over. But, it wasn’t over for my teammates, so I had to put my pride aside and step up to be a good leader for them.”
 
Forcing herself to keep her emotions in check, Grubich put a brave face on for her teammates, consistently the first to stand and cheer or greet teammates coming off the floor. She did the pregame handshakes with the starting five and in nearly every photo of her this season, there is a beaming smile on Grubich’s face.
 
“I had to leave my emotions at the door, and I didn’t always do a good job of that,” said Grubich. “When you’re in a position of leadership, you can’t always show emotion. That was a really hard balance to find early.”
 
With time, Grubich found that balance as the best teammate she could possibly be. She rose to the challenge of a different role, excelling at any tasks she was given by the coaching staff or other team members.
 
“I would be on rock bottom if it wasn’t for my team,” said Grubich. “I’ve loved watching the other girls step up and being leaders on the floor when I can’t. It’s been so cool to witness their growth as both athletes and people.”
 
Grubich was rewarded on Senior Day, where she earned a start and scored the first two points for the Cardinals, a left-handed layup that sent the entire team into a standing ovation – much like the ones she had been giving to them all season long.
 
“Juju’s leadership and consistency have been a driving force behind one of the most successful seasons in program history,” said head coach, Diana Noles. “She embodies what it means to be a true student-athlete, balancing high academic achievement with a relentless commitment to our team. The standard she sets has elevated everyone in our program.”
 
Her leadership became invaluable as the season progressed, as Grubich captained her team to winning its first-ever OAC Tournament Championship, a 51-45 decision over No. 8 nationally ranked Baldwin Wallace. Winning the tournament gave the Cardinals the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, its first appearance since 2013.
 
Grubich credits an entire list of supporters who have helped her through this adversity. In addition to God, her family, athletic trainers, and teammates, she speaks highly of the coaching staff.
 
“Noles is like a second mom to me,” reflected Grubich. “I have cried in her office so many times and she has been nothing but supportive throughout this entire process. She has given me little tasks to keep me busy and as included as possible. I am so grateful for her and the entire coaching staff for how they’ve supported me this season.”
 
“You could say Juju has become the glue to our program,” added assistant coach Lo Litchfield. “Juju has shown strength in the way she has battled adversity on the court from fighting through injuries. Even after she had to medically retire, she didn’t skip a beat with her role as captain and continued to show up for her teammates and program this year.”
 
Her impact extends beyond the court, as she is also actively playing a key part in reviving the Otterbein Athletics Cardy Awards, an ESPY-like awards show that recognizes the achievements of student-athletes from the past school year.
 
“On paper I am technically involved in four things, but the opportunities I’ve gotten because of the people in this department … I can’t put a price tag on it,” said Grubich.
 
In the NCAA First Round, Otterbein defeated Randolph Macon, 60-45, the first NCAA Tournament win in program history. When the host site gave the team the ‘Otterbein’ decal to advance the team on the bracket board, Grubich was the one to send the Cardinals into the next round. Once more, reinforcing Grubich’s impact on the season.
 
Eight minutes on the stat sheet will never tell the full story, but Juju Grubich’s impact is written all over one of the most successful seasons in program history.