Name: Melissa Coon
UW-Stout graduation year: 2007
Major: Packaging Engineering
Sport: Softball
Years Played: 2004, 2005 playing and 2006 student assistant
Hometown: Cudahy, WI
Currently Resides: Milwaukee, WI
Why did you choose to be a collegiate student-athlete at UW-Stout?
Transferring to UW-Stout was one of the best decisions of my life. When you look at the amazing opportunities in education and the athletic programs it was a no-brainer that I wanted to be a student-athlete and have the best of both worlds.
What did you like most about competing in collegiate athletics?
The ability to achieve great things both on and off the field. Coach (Chris) Stainer always held us to a high standard to perform at our peak levels as students and student-athletes. Your teammates reinforced this and as a team you could achieve great things.
What is the greatest lesson you learned from being a collegiate student-athlete?
Balance, hard work, and attitude. You may be a great athlete, but you need to be able to balance your talent with hard work and a positive attitude.
Who was the most influential person in your athletic career?
I could list quite a few influential people, but at Stout, Coach Stainer really helped push me to achieve many things (on and off the field). I am still very thankful for that.
What is your most memorable or favorite sports moment at UW-Stout?Â
When we took the conference (tournament title in 2005) with back-to-back wins against Eau Claire. It was hands down the most memorable.
How did your teammates describe you as a person and a student-athlete?
If I had to guess, my teammates (and coach) would probably describe me as a goof when we were playing, and I grew more as a student-athlete later in my career when I was admitted into the Packaging Engineering program.
Are you in contact with any former Blue Devil student-athletes? (If so, who?)Â
Since graduation I have had the opportunity to stay in contact with many student athletes (too many to name).
Outside of athletics, what other activities were you involved in at UW-Stout?
UW-Stout Chapter IoPP Board Member, and IoPP (Institute of Packaging Professionals) member, Packaging Engineering Co-op at Kimberly-Clark Corporation.
Give us a brief synopsis of your life since graduating from UW-Stout, include job and family?
Upon graduation I was hired at Harley-Davidson Motor Company as a Packaging Engineer supporting New Product Development. I have had the opportunity to support many of our manufacturing facilities spanning from York, PA to Haryana, India. Other positions I have held at the Motor Company include roles in Inventory Management, Materials Management, and Program Management. In addition to my full time position at Harley-Davidson, I am also pursuing my MBA.
I reside in Milwaukee and like to spend the summers downtown enjoying the festival season, working out near the lakefront, and riding my new Harley-Davidson.
You still hold the record in sacrifice bunts. How do you reflect on that record?
Looking at what the record stands for is important to me. Being able to sacrifice my at-bat to advance my teammates, even for just one base, was always worth it. To me it was not a sacrifice, but part of being on a team. I am proud to hold the record.
What skills did you learn in softball that have aided in your success as a professional?
Sacrifice, teamwork, attitude, and understanding the value of hard work. Those skills have been extremely transferable to my professional career.
