WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlight • Erica Van Riper

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: Erica Van Riper

Institution: UW-Oshkosh

Hometown (High School): Waukesha (Waukesha South)

Year: Senior

Sport(s): Women's Tennis

Major(s): Journalism - Advertising

Minor(s): Psychology

Why did you choose to be a Division III student-athlete?
When I ended my senior tennis season in high school, I didn't feel ready to stop competing because I knew I would miss playing too much.

What do you like most about competing in the WIAC?
The level of competition. Going into each match you need to be really focused because your opponent is almost always as good, or better, in ability.

What is the greatest lesson you have learned from being a student-athlete? 
Time management. Being a student-athlete requires a lot of time and dedication. You have to learn to balance it with school, work and a social life. 

If you have been involved in community service projects, which project has been the most rewarding and why?
Our UW-Oshkosh team ran a youth tennis clinic and the proceeds went to a local hospital for breast cancer. It was a fun team-bonding activity that went toward a great cause.

When you were growing up, what did you want to be?
Veterinarian.

What is your fantasy job/career? 
Ice cream taste tester.

What is your favorite …

     Spot on campus? Student Recreation & Wellness Center

     Class? Ad Copy Layout

     Movie? "Step Brothers"

     Food? Lasagna

     Holiday? Christmas

     TV Show? "One Tree Hill"

     Sports Team? Green Bay Packers

     Professional Athlete? Aaron Rodgers

     Quote/motto? "We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same."

What is your greatest sports moment? 
Participating in the WIAA State High School Tennis Championships for the first time during my junior year.

Your most prized possession is?
My great-grandmother's ring.

A non-athletic talent you have is?
Playing the piano.

The best sporting event that you ever attended was?
A Harlem Globetrotters game.

What does your "bucket list" include?
Traveling to Italy, running a marathon, and attending the Olympics.

How would your teammates describe you?
My teammates make fun of me for being small. But they would also say that I'm positive, laid-back and an extremely hard worker.

Do you have any pre-game/pre-event rituals? If so, what are they?
I like to listen to music before each match. My headband and shoes also have to coordinate with my uniform.

Your worst habit is?
I pick off my nail polish when I'm nervous or distracted.