Professional Staff

Education

• M.S. Exercise and Sport Science - Sport Administration - UW-La Crosse
• B.S. Exercise and Sport Science - Sport Management - UW-La Crosse

Additional Certifications

WIRSA/NIRSA Member, American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid Certified Instructor and Instructor Trainer

Responsibilities/Program Oversight

Budgets, department outlook, marketing and promotions, professional and student staff development, and special events

Favorite Sport or Activity to Watch

Football and Basketball

Favorit Sport or Activity to Play

Volleyball, Tennis, Pickleball, or Badminton

Favorite Sports Team

Badgers (Football and Basketball) and Packers

What Do I Like To Do Outside of Work

Spend time with my family, house projects and home renovations, walk/hike with my family and black lab, go to lakes/cabins, and watch sports... any sports.

Random Fact No One Knows About You

I will only use a blue toothbrush.

Why Did I Choose to Work in Campus Recreation

I went to college with hopes of working in collegiate or professional sports. While in graduate school, I worked as a Graduate Assistant for the Rec Sports Department at UW-La Crosse overseeing 27 Sport Clubs. When I took that position, I figured it had many transferable skills and I could still move back into an athletic or professional sports position after graduation. I quickly realized that Sport Club Coordinators are pseudo-Athletic Directors working with conference offices on eligibility, game schedules, paying league fees, and compliance. That position also managed all aspects of the home contests and tournaments, travel logistics, equipment, budgets, and overall operation of each club with the help of the club’s student officers.

Along with managing Intramural Sports, I have watched thousands and thousands of college students play sports/activities all for the love of the game with nothing more than a chance at winning a $7 Intramural Championship t-shirt.

Outside of the actual activities, the most rewarding part of working in Campus Recreation is the connections I’ve made and the life-long friendships I have with some of the people who I have worked with or met at state and national conferences. Students who get involved or work for us become friends and then become family… making our job fun and exciting every single day. Watching a quiet 18-year-old grow for four years and graduate as a confident 22-years-old with job offers in their desired career path is the greatest reward of my job and why I continue to come to work each day.

Education:

• M.B. Administration – UW-River Falls
• B.S. Kinesiology – UW-Eau Claire

Additional Certifications

WIRSA/NIRSA Member, PCIA Provider/Trainer, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor, WMA Wilderness First Responder, Mental Health First Aid Certified

Responsibilities/Program Oversight

Oversee/Support Department Programming, Reservations, Staff Development, Committees, Falcon Outdoor Adventures, Climbing Wall, Rental Center, Adventure Trips, Bike Services

Favorite Sport or Activity to Watch

Football

Favorite Sport or Activity to Play

Rock Climbing

Favorite Sports Team

Packers

What Do I Like To Do Outside of Work

Climb, home renovations, cross fit, fish, paddle, hike, trail runs, bike, slackline, spend time with my family!

Random Fact No One Knows About You

I get my best sleep in a tent.

Why Did You Choose to Work in Campus Recreation

I began my Campus Rec career during sophomore year, working the front desk of the fitness center. That quickly led to taking on other roles in the department and eventually moving into a student manager role with the outdoor program. Working at the climbing wall, ropes course, rental center, bike shop, leading trips, developing new paddling programs, helping at the archery range, I couldn’t get enough! The best part of my job was interacting with all the amazing people I would see each day. My co-workers during those 3 years are still some of my best friends, I met my wife at the climbing wall, and the saddest part of graduation was leaving Campus Rec behind.

When I got the opportunity to come to UW River Falls as an emergency hire in 2017, the decision was easy. My work is engaging, the community here is fun and welcoming, and the St. Croix Valley is beautiful! The best part about my job is still interacting with all the smiling faces in the Falcon Center, but nothing will ever beat that manager job as a student. My goal is to provide others with the same amazing rec experiences that I had as a student.

Education

• M.S. Exercise and Sport Science - Sport Administration - UW-La Crosse
• B.S. Exercise and Sport Science - Sport Management - UW-La Crosse

Additional Certifications

Professional Rescuer CPR, AED & First Aid, American Council of Exercise Group Exercise Instructor (ACE), American Council of Exercise Personal Trainer (ACE), Commercial Pool Operator, Aquatics WSI and Lifeguard Certified, Yoga Sculpt Certified, Les Mills Body Attack, Body Pump, and GRIT Certified, R.I.P.P.E.D, Boxing, Willpower, & other group exercise course formats, Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO), ARC American Red Cross LGI Lifeguard Instructor Trainer 2021, Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) 2022

Responsibilities/Program Oversight

Fitness Center, Open Recreation, Group Fitness, Personal Training, Open Skate/Hockey, Wellness, and Member Services

Favorite Sport or Activity to Watch

Cross Country, Track & Field, Golf (only to fall asleep, but I like to play)

Favorite Sport or Activity to Play

Any Group Exercise class, biking, hiking, swimming, fishing, really anything outside!

Favorite Sports Team

All sports especially the Olympics, Badgers, and Packer Football!

What Do I Like To Do Outside of Work

Spend time with my family and friends, travel, watch my kids play sports, anything outdoors and on the water.  I love to ski, swim, and fish (maybe this should be our next TRIATHLON 😊)

Random Fact No One Knows About You

I dislike ketchup very much, but mustard approved for all things.

Why Did You Choose to Work in Campus Recreation

I have spent my entire life surrounded by athletics, whether at the YMCA where I had been employed for more than 30 years, but also played and competed in athletics throughout high school and at the collegiate level. Sports are typically the center of nearly everything our family does. We love all sports!

I am truly passionate about all things healthy living. I have been working with people of every age and skill level, in both group exercise settings, and personal training. It is an absolute joy to me when I have a client, team, or group have an amazing workout and achieve the results they have been striving for, whether it was just getting motivated to walk through the doors, or to accomplishing a school/personal record.

As my kids have gotten older, Halle 20 years old, attends UW-La Crosse, and Kohl 18, attending UW-Eau Claire in the fall, my joy for helping young adults find their path has driven me to connecting with other students in higher education. While my goal will always be to improve the nation’s health and well-being, I am excited to nurture and inspire our UW-River Falls Students, Community Members, and athletes, into fitting Campus Recreation into their daily life.

Education

• B.S. Elementary Education - Math - UW-River Falls

Additional Certification

CPR Certified, WIAA Volleyball Official

Responsibilities/Program Oversight

Intramural Sports, Sports Clubs, Oversight of Competitive Sports Supervisors and Officials

Favorite Sport or Activity to Watch

Hockey, Football, Soccer

Favorite Sport or Activity to Play

Volleyball, Pickleball, Golf, Broomball

Favorite Sports Team

AZ Coyotes, Denver Broncos, MN United

What Do I Like to Do Outside of Work

Spend time with my family and friends, play games, play with my puppy, do house projects and renovations, play and coach sports, and watch any sports that I can.

Random Fact No One Knows About You

I have never used a lawnmower.

Why Did You Choose to Work in Campus Recreation

During Week of Welcome my freshman year, Campus Rec organized an event called RecFest, and my roommate and I went to get a free t-shirt. During this time, I signed up to be a volleyball and soccer official so I could have an on-campus job. After a semester in the department, I transitioned over to Rec. Service Staff with the opening of the Falcon Center but still wanted to be a part of the Intramural Staff. As my involvement with intramural sports grew, I transitioned to an IM Supervisor and eventually to the Competitive sports student manager for the final 2 years. The department was an opportunity for me to take a break from my then career path of education and immerse myself in my passion; sports.

After I graduated in 2020, I went into teaching but never gave up my love for watching and being involved in sports. I spend countless nights scorekeeping basketball, working admissions, and eventually coaching volleyball. When the opportunity to come back to UW-River Falls opened up, I was ecstatic to be back working in a department that combines my love for sports and learning. To have the chance to go back to a program that influenced my college career so heavily and provide the same chances to others makes me excited to go to work every day. I choose to work in Campus Recreation because of the connections that are made. Students choose us as a mentor in their life and give me the opportunity to support them through their UWRF journey and beyond.

Education

• B.S. Health and Human Performance - UW-River Falls

Additional Certifications

CPR Certified

Professional Activities

Hunt Arena Skate School coordinator, student payroll and human resources for the department, manages cash handling, and general office management

Favorite Sport or Activity to Watch

My kids sporting events (Hockey, Baseball, Gymnastics)

Favorite Sport or Activity to Play

Cricket

Favorite Sports Team

Montreal Canadiens, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Lakers

What Do I Like to Do Outside of Work

Take pictures of butterflies, swim in the South Fork River, and look at the moon while trying to figure out if it is indeed made out of cheese.

Random Fact No One Knows About You

I started college in 2002... I'm still working on my undergraduate degree.  One credit at a time!

Why Did You Choose to Work in Campus Recreation

The co-workers are fun.  So fun, that when I didn't fill out this questionnaire, they decided to answer it for me!