Indiana University Athletics
Getting to Know Thomas Clavier
2/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
Feb. 22, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is crucial. It stabilizes the knee and connects the thighbone to the shinbone. For an elite student-athlete, a torn ACL generally results in a lost season. In the case of IU swimmer Thomas Clavier, it was no different, except for the Big Ten Championships last season.
Following a swim meet in Ann Arbor with the Michigan Wolverines, Clavier tore his right ACL and had to determine what he was going to do with the rest of the season. He decided to take a chance and swim for his team at the Big Ten Championships.
"I decided to swim because I knew that it was going to be a close meet," Clavier said. "I knew that I had already messed up my knee and I knew that it was going to require surgery, so I figured that I couldn't do any more damage. The main reason that I wanted to swim was to try and win a championship not only for myself but because I really wanted last year's seniors to go out on top."
Clavier admitted that the second race he did that day was by far the hardest race he had ever completed. His knee had swollen considerably following the 100 butterfly and he was still scheduled for the 100 breaststroke.
"The most difficult race that I have done was the 100 breast," Clavier said. "It was extremely painful. I had just finished swimming the 100 fly and my knee had really swelled up and the breast kick really torques the knee."
Despite the pain, Clavier persevered and took seventh place in the conference in the butterfly.
"I had to mount up and deal with the pain," Clavier said. "I also had to really rely on my good leg and my upper body. Plus, my mental game was at its highest because my coaches, teammates and myself all believed in me."
Clavier displayed a more serious side during Big Tens to help out the team. In the locker room, however, Clavier is known as the class clown.
"That is how I am," Clavier said. "Life is too short to always be serious. I know that some people may think that I am immature or not serious but that is not true. I am serious about this team. I feel that if you are not having fun then why do something. I have known other swimmers that might have been faster, or have received more awards that me but they do not seem happy."
Not only does Clavier feel his role on the team is to work hard and help the team place during races, he also feels it is his job to keep everybody loose. That is how he lives life and feels it is important to bring that aspect to his team.
"I feel that the point of life is to enjoy it," Clavier said. "That is the attitude I try to bring to the guys. If they are happy, they will train harder. If they are happier, they will do better in school. If they are happier they will race better. Those are my views and that is why I try to keep things on the team loose, but that is also the way I feel about life."
Clavier, a senior out of Mandeville high school in Covington, La., feels having the Big Ten Championships in IU's own backyard is a good opportunity to make some noise.
"It is tightskies, because we know the facility front and back," Clavier said. "We do not have to travel, so that keeps us fresh before we race. Also, since we are home we a hoping for a good home turnout to support our team in our cause."
In a sport that puts emphasis on individual times, as records hold a great deal of prestige, this Indiana squad is focused on the same goal; a Big Ten title.
"This is my fifth year in college swimming," Clavier said. "I have been part of many different teams. This year, we do have a team. We are all involved in the same common goal. Winning Big Tens. We have all worked our hardest this year, and we know we can do it. I am going to miss this sport with all of my heart, but the thing I am going to miss the most are the guys and the love that the coaches put into what we all believe in."
Regardless of what happens at Big Tens, Clavier will have the same philosophy through life, something he hopes to share with others and has perhaps, rubbed off on his teammates.
"In a heavy rain, you run under the ledges of houses and under trees in attempt to avoid the rain," Clavier said. "You still get soaked. At the end of all of the running, you find that you are all perplexed. I take the approach of walking slowly in the rain because I know that I will still get wet. When I get where I'm going, I am at peace and not all worked up."
