WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlight • Haley Bayreuther

Each week during the 2014-15 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its nine institutions for a "Student-Athlete Spotlight" Q & A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday on the WIAC website.

Name: Haley Bayreuther

Institution: UW-Oshkosh

Hometown (High School): Janesville, Wis. (Janesville Craig)

Year: Junior

Sport(s): Softball

Major(s): Elementary and Special Education

Why did you choose to be a Division III student-athlete?
I love the game of softball and I knew I wanted to continue playing. UW-Oshkosh was the perfect fit for me because of the education program, and the softball program caught my attention when I was looking for schools.

What do you like most about competing in the WIAC?
We have an extremely competitive conference. Any team can win any game on any given day.

What is the greatest lesson you have learned from being a student-athlete? 
Learning how to deal with adversity and responding in a positive way.

If you have been involved in community service projects, which project has been the most rewarding and why?
I have volunteered at several elementary school classrooms in the area. Helping in the classroom is rewarding because when the light bulb turns on for a student who is struggling with something, it gives me a sense of meaning and purpose. I love being a person who makes a difference in a student's life.

When you were growing up, what did you want to be?
I have always wanted to be a teacher.

What is your fantasy job/career?
I would love to be a teacher and a coach.

What is your favorite …

     Spot on campus? The dock by the river

     Class? Inclusive Curriculum and Instruction

     Movie? "Miracle"

     Food? Strawberries

     Holiday? Christmas

     TV Show? "One Tree Hill"

     Sports Team? Green Bay Packers

     Professional Athlete? Jonathan Lucroy

     Quote/motto? "We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy."

What is your greatest sports moment?
Last year when we were playing the University of St. Thomas, I hit a triple off the top of the wall and Tess Fadness hit a sacrifice fly to score me. We ended up winning the game. Our team played extremely solid defense and our pitching was on-point. I don't think we could have asked for a better game from our team.

Your most prized possession is?
My cross necklace.

A non-athletic talent you have is?
I can do the worm.

The best sporting event that you ever attended was?
I got to go watch one of my friends play hockey at Fenway Park in Boston. It wasn't necessarily the best game I've ever seen, but it was an awesome experience.

What does your "bucket list" include?
I want to go skydiving!

How would your teammates describe you?
I think everyone thinks of me as being the loud one.

Do you have any pre-game/pre-event rituals? If so, what are they?
I watch Herb Brooks's speech from "Miracle" before every game because it gets me pumped, and I know I can do well after listening to that speech.

Your worst habit is?
Procrastination.

2014-15 UW-Oshkosh WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights

Haley Bayreuther • Softball

Sean Dwyer • Men's Basketball

Tyler Kozlowski • Baseball

Nate Ray • Football

Erica Van Riper • Women's Tennis

Krystal Walker • Women's Gymnastics