WIAC Student Athlete Spotlight: Riley Kindt
MADISON, Wis.- Each week during the 2023-24 academic year, the WIAC 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 will be posted every Thursday and individuals are selected by the institution. The WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights are presented by Culver's. UW-Oshkosh women's volleyball player Riley Kindt is featured in this week's WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlight.
Name: Riley Kindt
Institution: UW-Oshkosh
Hometown (High School): Brookfield, Wis. (Brookfield East High School)
Year in school: Junior
Sport: Women's Volleyball
Major: Nursing
Why did you choose UW-Oshkosh?
I chose UW-Oshkosh because of the sense of community I felt here. I was instantly welcomed by the coaches and athletes and that has stayed true throughout my years here. I truly think the people at UWO are what makes me love it so much and I could not be more thankful for that.
What other clubs/organizations on campus are you involved in?
I was a part of the UWO track & field team for a few years and had some amazing experiences and met the most genuine friends through that. There are so many cool people who do track in the WIAC and I loved my time with the team. The other organization I am a part of on campus would be the Newman Center. There's a group of us on the volleyball team that come together to do a bible study through the Newman Center and that has been really sweet and fun for us to grow even closer outside of volleyball! There are also a lot of other athletes that go there and it's just an extremely supportive community that I have met a lot of people through!
What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
There are so many things I like about being in the WIAC and competing as a NCAA Division III athlete, but the one thing that stands out the most to me is the number of talented athletes we get to experience. Our conference is always super competitive and often has multiple teams that make it to the NCAA tournament each year, but the constant challenge is what makes me love the sport even more. Although the conference is competitive, it's also very supportive and keeping tabs on how each team is doing throughout the season is something our team loves to do.
What is your favorite…
Flavor of the Day from Culver's? Dark Chocolate BP Crunch
Menu item from Culver's? Bacon Cheddar Butter Burger made with extra love
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus? By the fireplace in Reeve Union.
Movie? Shrek Forever After or Up
Holiday? Halloween
Food? Any Italian or Thai
Animal? Cow
Smartphone App? Just my camera App :)
Musical Group/Artist? Fleetwood Mac
Professional Sports Athlete/Team? Milwaukee Bucks
Vacation Spot? Switzerland!
What is your greatest sports moment?
Getting a bid to the NCAA tournament last season for volleyball or becoming an All-American in the 60-meter hurdles would probably be my greatest sports moments! I can't choose!
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
Off the court, my favorite thing to do with my teammates is probably just going to one of our houses and either watching a movie or playing games like Quiplash. When we have time off outside of school and playing, we just try to get together to relax and laugh a little.
Who is someone that you look up to?
I look up to both of my parents more than anything. I try to instill pieces of each of them in my life daily and hope to accomplish the things they have. They both support and love me unconditionally even when I don't deserve it. I would not be where I am without them and I have no doubt they would do anything for me.
Do you have any words of advice for younger/upcoming student-athletes?
There may be times when you doubt your ability to balance school, life and a sport but there are so many sources of help readily available to us! Have faith in yourself that you're strong enough to do it all. Also, it's cliché but college goes by way faster than I could have ever imagined, so just be present and take it all in.
One word that describes you?
Pokey.
What is your dream job?
Probably a Nurse Practitioner of some kind, but I honestly don't really have one. Maybe something that allows me to travel a good amount too!
Three things on your "bucket list"?
---Travel to all 7 continents.
---Become fluent in another language.
---Visit all the 7 wonders of the world.
A non-athletic talent that you have is?
Gardening!
Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
Our team's rituals are listening to music and a visualization session. My only superstition is putting tiger balm on before every game even if I am not hurting anywhere to put it on.
Release courtesy of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference