US Team Handball Women's National Team

Basic Facts

DOB: 8/17/1979
Place of Birth: Mt. Pleasant, IA
Hometown: Mt. Pleasant, IA
Height: 5'10"
Position: Goalie
Started playing: 1998
High School: Mt. Pleasant HS
College: USMA at West Point

Jacque Messel discovered handball as a freshman at the United States Military Academy. She was walking back from the Mess Hall one evening when the captain of the Army Team Handball Team stopped her. The upperclassman then ordered Jacque to try out for the team. Jacque had no idea what she was trying out for, but she figured she had better show up. She originally thought she would try out for the volleyball team at West Point, but soon realized that team handball was a much better choice for her. From Day 1 she was hooked on the sport. “There is just something about team handball that gets a hold of you and won’t let go. Once you’re hooked, you’re hooked for life.” The fact that the team took great trips didn’t hurt either!

Jacque spent the first five years of her handball career playing backcourt. Then a minor injury helped her realize that she was part of a small percentage of people who actually enjoy getting balls thrown at them. “In some cultures we are called lunatics, in handball we are just goalies.”

Jacque was also in the residency program from 2002-2003 when the Women’s National Team trained in Lake Placid, NY. It was a difficult year with a lot of ups and downs, however it only solidified Jacque’s commitment to the sport. “After everything we went through; not having enough players, numerous injuries, lack of money, heartbreaking losses, many of my former teammates thought I was crazy to come back to the team. I saw the potential we had then and we have a much stronger team now. That dream that we all share is just not something I’m ready to walk away from just yet.”

During her three year break from the sport, Jacque was assigned to the Defense Language Institute (DLI) in Monterey, California. She worked as a Company Executive Officer and as the Battalion Adjutant supporting soldiers studying foreign languages. While she was there, she still found time to play team handball with club teams, including Santa Clarita Team Handball. During her three years in California, she won three handball national championships with her club teams. She also had handball goals built for the gym at DLI and organized pick-up games for the servicemen and women stationed there.

Jacque grew up loving sports and the outdoors. Her father coached a youth basketball team when she was in elementary school and she would tag along to the gym and practice by herself every chance she got. Later, she added track and volleyball to her athletic interests. She earned varsity letters in all three sports and also played recreational league softball and water-skied in the summers.

Known as Captain Messel to many people, Jacque is one of four members on the team in the Army World Class Athlete Program. It is a great program that allows active duty soldiers the opportunity to represent the United States in international competitions. Without this program, Jacque would not be able to play team handball with the Women’s National Team.

Outside of handball, Jacque has many other interests. She has a passion for music and traveling. In her limited free time, you can expect to find her playing one of her guitars or planning her next adventure. Her idea of a good time includes: running a marathon, skydiving, backpacking through rainforests, climbing around on glaciers, sea kayaking, going to concerts, and sharing a bottle of wine with friends and family.

There is far more to Jacque Messel than will fit in this profile. What is most important, however, is her commitment and dedication to the sport of team handball. She has been around the sport for many years and will continue to be involved long after her playing days are over. She firmly believes that team handball could be one of the most popular sports in this country if only more people saw it played. “We don’t have the luxury of the fan base that baseball and football have in the US. If we want to make something happen in our sport, then we need to do it ourselves. It is up to the players and other members of the handball community to get out there and show people what a great sport we play. I hope one day that is not the case and players only have to focus on playing, but this is where we are now and we are working very hard to improve our situation.”