WIAC Culver's Student-Athlete Spotlight: Lizzy Olsem

Each week during the 2020-21 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (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.

Name:     Lizzy Olsem (or Elizabeth as my mother would call me)          
Institution:  University of Wisconsin-Stout 
Hometown and High School:  St. Charles Ill. (St. Charles North) 
Year in school:  4th year (senior, but will be here next year) 
Sport(s):  Women's Basketball 
Major(s): Industrial Design 
Minor(s): Business Administration and Project Management  

Why did you choose UW- Stout? 
I chose UW-Stout because it's a polytechnic school that has a highly respectable and renown industrial design program that I'd get to be a part of while having the opportunity to continue to play the sport I love. It is one of the only schools where I did not have to choose between my major and my passion. 

What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete? 
I like the relationships I get to build with my teammates, coaches, and other athletes. I've never felt closer to a group of people other than my team. The memories we make together is something that will stick with me long past the four years I get to play basketball here at Stout. Nothing could ever replace the long bus rides, team jam sessions, 5am practices, post practice coffee runs, team meals, heat of the moment tears, random dancing (so much dancing) and the excuse to see my best friends every day. These girls are what makes my time at Stout so special. 

What is your favorite… 
Menu item from Culver's? Their Ranch Dressing  
Flavor of the Day from Culver's? Chocolate Reese peanut butter cup (add peanut butter sauce)  
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus? The Memorial Student Center (MSC) 
Movie? The Help 
TV Show? Glee 
Social Media Platform? Instagram 
Food? Street Tacos 
Musical Group/Artist? Post Malone/Billie Eilish 
Professional Sports Athlete? Michael Jordan 
Hobby? Boating 
Quote/motto? Fake it till you make it. 

What is one word that describes yourself? 
Genuine  

What is your greatest sports moment?  
Beating Oshkosh in double overtime/Coach playing three bigs at once in that game. 

Do you have any words of advice for younger/upcoming student-athletes? 
Be "you" from the start. Be genuine and live your life with confidence. Its college, we are all out here figuring ourselves out. No one is going to judge you when you are out here being 100 percent you and owning it. Love yourself and everyone else will have no choice but to love you too. 

What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates? 
Go sledding during winter and push each other in the snow. 

If you could trade places for a day with a person, who would it be and why? 
Bill Gates, and I think we all know why. 

What is your dream job?  
Be a designer for Nike. 

Three things on your "bucket list"? 
Sky Diving 
Go Scuba diving 
Go on a year cruise that travels the world 

Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they? 
I listen to "Dance Monkey" before every game and sing it when it comes on during warmups. I also have two very specific pregame playlists that I listen to and will also not take my air pods out until the exact moments the coaches enter the locker room.  I have a lucky pair of socks for every season. 

What is your biggest "pet-peeve"? 
When people are on their phone when I'm talking.