University of Minnesota Athletics
Q & A With Senior IF/DP Lauren Pockl
4/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
It's always good to have big dreams, and senior infielder/designated player Lauren Pockl definitely has lofty goals that could lead her to an eventual political career in Washington, D.C. The native of Green Bay, Wis., recently sat down to answer some questions about her time with the Golden Gopher softball program, having her younger sister as a teammate on this year's team, and her future plans after graduation.
GopherSports.com: You’ve been a part of the Gopher softball team for five years, how will life change after your senior season is over?
Lauren Pockl: Gopher softball has definitely made a huge impact on my life and the way I see things. But, I think after doing this for so long, I’ll have more opportunity to be successful after school. I’m definitely going to miss it, but I’m ready to move on and live in the real world and have a real job. I think the lessons I’ve learned during the five years I’ve been here will carry over into what I do after college.
GopherSports.com: This season, your younger sister Lindsey joined the team. What has that been like?
Lauren Pockl: It’s been a lot of fun, actually. I’ve only been here since January this year, so it’s only been a couple of months. She’s melded with the team really well, and she’s playing really well, and it’s great to have her here with me.
GopherSports.com: You’ve mentioned in the past that your family is really important to you. Can you tell us a little bit about your family?
Lauren Pockl: We’ve always been a close and tight-knit family, as long as I can remember. It was my parents who really pushed me to play softball and to excel in everything that I do. It really means a lot to me that they’re supportive of everything I do in school, in athletics, and in everything I want to do after college. My family means the world to me, I don’t know where I would be without them.
GopherSports.com: Last fall, you did an internship with Jim Ramstad, a member of the U.S. Congress representing Minnesota. Tell us about the internship and some of the experiences you had working in Washington, D.C.
Lauren Pockl: It was a lot of fun. I was there during the whole bail out scenario and during the November elections. I worked long hours, but it was a lot of fun. I got to accompany the Congressman to different meetings, and got to be involved in meetings about the bail out and what was going on with the election. I got to go to election parties. I met a lot of people who are significant in politics, I really made a lot of connections while I was there. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, and I learned a lot about where I want to be in several years.
GopherSports.com: You’re majoring in political science and global studies is there a career in politics in your future?
Lauren Pockl: I’m applying right now to be in the Coast Guard. I would like to serve in the Coast Guard for several years and get some military experience as an officer, then go to grad school. After that, I will hopefully make my way back to Washington, D.C., and be some kind of representative. My ultimate goal, and people always laugh when I say this, but my goal is to be the president of the United States.
GopherSports.com: With a really ambitious career plan, how has being involved in sports helped you succeed in other areas of life?
Lauren Pockl: It’s huge, these past five years, I’ve learned so much about time management and have had to learn to be successful in a team environment. Drive and motivation are two huge things that are necessary in sports and politics.
GopherSports.com: As you near the end of your college career, what accomplishments are you most proud of?
Lauren Pockl: I’ve been able to see this program grow a lot in the last five years, and that’s a big accomplishment to me personally. From where we were five years ago to being in the Big Ten Tournament last season was a huge accomplishment. I’ve had a lot of academic success, I’ve been named to the Academic All-Big Ten team, and I’m on the Dean’s List. I’m also proud of being a leader on this team, that’s always fun.
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