Joe Vils, WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlight
Each week during the 2019-20 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its eight institutions for a "Student-Athlete Spotlight" Q & A segment. The segments, presented by Culver's, will be also posted every Thursday on the WIAC website.
Name: Joe Vils
Hometown (High School): Oshkosh, Wis. (Oshkosh West)
Year in School: Senior
Sport: Men's Track & Field
Major: Mechanical Engineering Technology
Why did you choose to attend UW-Oshkosh?
I chose to attend UW-Oshkosh because the track & field program was starting to build something very special and I wanted to be a part of it! UW-Oshkosh provided me a great education and an opportunity to excel in athletics.
What other clubs/organizations on campus are you involved in?
While at UW-Oshkosh I was a member of the Engineering Club, where we would go on plant tours and speak with Engineering professionals. I also was a part of the UW-Oshkosh NASA Rover Challenge Project, where we would design and build a manpowered rover from scratch.
What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
I really liked the competitiveness of our conference. The competition kept pushing me to set high goals and to work harder. Being a Division III student-athlete is great because I am surrounded by amazing athletes who truly have a passion for their sport!
What is your favorite…
Flavor of the Day from Culver's? Caramel Fudge Cookie Dough
Menu item from Culver's? Single ButterBurger Basket with cheese
Spot on Campus? Track & Field venue
Movie? Step Brothers
TV Show? The Office
Food? Tacos
Musical Group/Artist? Drake
Professional Sports Athlete? Sergey Bubka
Hobby? Fishing
Phone App? YouTube
Vacation Spot? Lake of the Ozarks (Mo.)
Quote/motto? Philippians 4:13 – "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
What is your greatest sports moment?
When I earned All-America honors with my fourth-place finish in the pole vault at the 2019 NCAA Division III Outdoor Championship. We also placed fourth that year as a team!
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
Go bowling and just hanging out with each other.
If you could change one rule about your sport, what would it be?
You should get at least one more failed attempt in the pole vault and high jump (it is three).
The best thing about your hometown is?
What I love about Oshkosh is all of the area lakes.
What is your dream job?
To be a business owner.
Three things on your "bucket list"?
1. Sky Dive
2. Travel to Italy
3. Drive from the East Coast to the West Coast of the United States
Do you have any pre-game/pre-event rituals? If so, what are they?
I like to listen to music and drink a Red Bull before I vault.
What is your biggest "pet-peeve"?
When people chew with their mouth open.
What is your greatest fear?
Sharks.
2019-20 UW-Oshkosh WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights
Cody Chadwick • Men's Cross Country
Sydney Challoner • Women's Swimming & Diving
Emily Gilot • Women's Gymnastics
Alyssa Leffler • Women's Tennis