University of Minnesota Athletics
Q & A With 2009 Senior Class
5/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
The six members of the 2009 senior class recently reflected on some of the best memories of their Golden Gopher softball careers:
GopherSports.com: Of the nearly 200 Gopher softball games played in the last four seasons, which one has been the most memorable for you?
Colleen Conway: I think two different games come to mind. During my sophomore season, we beat Michigan at their field. It was a great win because they had won the national championship two years before, and it was a great turning point for Minnesota softball in the conference. The other memorable game was this year when we beat Northwestern at our home field, in front of our fans and family, plus it was on TV so we can always watch it!
Katie Dalen: The 18 inning game against Northwestern, which ended up finishing second in the country that year. Although we lost, it was a great game and a well-fought battle.
Briana Hassett: My sophomore year when we beat Michigan at Michigan. We were the complete underdogs and we played a perfect game to win 2-0!
Lauren Pockl: I do not think that I can pick just one game, but I do remember every time we beat ranked teams in the Big Ten. The games that no one else expects you to win except the 20 other people in the dugout with you are the most fun games to play. Beating Northwestern this year, Iowa last year, and Michigan the year before were definitely three of the most memorable games I have ever been a part of.
Shannon Stemper: There have been many memorable games, but my favorite game would have to be either beating Michigan my sophomore year or playing Arizona this year. I say Michigan, because it was my first time beating a Top 10 team and it was a very energetic and exciting game. Playing Arizona was also very memorable, because it is always exciting to play the best. Arizona has a reputation of excellence and it was fun to go back and forth with them, even though it ultimately ended in losses for us.
Bethany Wolvington: After recent events, I would have to say my last game versus Northwestern. But I would have to say my first game of the season. This was most memorable because it was the start to part of my legacy I was planning on leaving behind.
GopherSports.com: What is one of your favorite off-the-field memories with your team?
Colleen Conway: There are too many memories. I think the team dressing up as Coach S for her 40th birthday was pretty hilarious. Camp Courage and all of the rope course activities was fun. We have a lot of fun together, no matter where we are!
Katie Dalen: The countless hours spent in the hotels, airports, and buses - lots of laughs and great memories!
Briana Hassett: This spring when Dannie (Skrove) and I attempted to scare Heidi (Carls) and Shannon (Stemper) by breaking into their hotel room and hiding behind their beds. We ended up running into a lot of obstacles, and our prank never ended up working. But we have some great stories from our attempt!
Lauren Pockl: The night that we had a bonfire at the field was one of my most memorable moments. We had a bonfire going at home plate, made s’mores, played night games like we were 10 again, and had Army cots set up in the press box. It was probably the first time Coach B ever stayed up past midnight.
Shannon Stemper: There are too many off-the-field memories to choose one. If I had to narrow them down, I would say that some of the best times were in our van when we were traveling. Between the singing, the dancing, the getting lost, the u-turns, and the stories told, our van was one of the best parts of the many road trips.
Bethany Wolvington: There are so many, but I guess my favorites have been the BBQ’s we have in the spring when the sun finally comes out.
GopherSports.com: Of all the instructions and advice that your coaches have given you during your college career, what will you remember the most?
Colleen Conway: There are two ways to intimidate women: the way you look, and the way you talk.
Katie Dalen: Have fun, it's just a game!
Briana Hassett: Knowledge is power.
Lauren Pockl: I will always remember Coach B’s analogies. She has an analogy for everything and I really think that you could use any of them to explain all of life’s dilemmas.
Shannon Stemper: That softball is a game that is meant to be fun. It can teach you lessons about life and the person you want to be, but softball is not real life. The game does not define you, you define you.
Bethany Wolvington: Pig or Chicken?
GopherSports.com: What is something you’re really proud of that you’ve accomplished during your time at the U of M?
Colleen Conway: I'm graduating in four years, and made many great friendships along the way.
Katie Dalen: I will leave the University with two majors, life-long friends, and some great softball memories.
Briana Hassett: Shannon and I have roomed together all four years. I guess it's a miracle we still get along, ha ha!
Lauren Pockl: One of my proudest accomplishments during my time at the U of M is definitely getting an internship in Washington, D.C. for the fall semester. It was one of the single best learning and growing experiences I have ever had, and has led me to recognize more about what I want to do in the future. It also led to me having one of my greatest accomplishments as a student-athlete by being named Student-Athlete of the Week.
Shannon Stemper: I am proud that I was able to successfully compete at the highest level in college softball. We have played the best and we have beaten the best. I am proud that I will be graduating with a double major in four years and that I was given the opportunity to be a role model to young softball players in the community.
Bethany Wolvington: There were a lot of things going into my college career that I was told could not be done. I didn’t get discouraged, and continued to do things the right way, and I did them.
GopherSports.com: Was your college experience what you expected?
Colleen Conway: I don't remember what I expected at the beginning, but my college athletic experience was a lot of hard work with many great memories.
Katie Dalen: College was more than I expected, and I have to say, the best five years of my life. College is a great time to grow and develop as a person.
Briana Hassett: No, softball was a lot more intense and a bigger part of my experience here than I ever imagined. However, it's been very rewarding and exciting.
Lauren Pockl: I honestly had no idea what to expect when I stepped foot on the U of M campus. But I can tell you that the experience that I have had here for the past five years has been above and beyond anything I could have ever anticipated. The lessons I have learned on the field, the education that I received off of the field, and the remarkable people I have had the opportunity to meet throughout has made college an experience I will never forget.
Shannon Stemper: No, college was not what I expected. I think that there is no way you can imagine what college will truly be like. The last four years of my life have been a challenge, both on and off the field, and I have learned so much about life. Playing softball in college has taught me discipline, time management, leadership skills, and resiliency. When I was entering into college, I thought it would just be an extension of high school, except this time I would get to live with my friends. However, college is intense. I have enjoyed my experience here at the U of M, and if I had the choice, I would do it all over again.
Bethany Wolvington: If your college experience is ever what you expect, you aren’t growing enough. There is no way that I could have ever expected the trials I have faced in college or the multitude of blessings I have received. For this, I am grateful.
GopherSports.com: What are your plans after you graduate?
Colleen Conway: I will be heading to Switzerland to play softball from the end of May through October. After that, I will be working on a project for my parents at Dorothy Ann Bakery, and taking the company through a process of online ordering, marketing, and website development.
Katie Dalen: I have an internship in Denver, Colo., with The Integer Group this summer. After that, I'm not sure what's in store.
Briana Hassett: I will be playing on a softball team in the Netherlands and traveling around Europe from May until the end of September.
Lauren Pockl: Currently, I am in the process of applying for Officer Candidate School in the United States Coast Guard.
Shannon Stemper: This summer, I plan to play softball in the Netherlands with Briana Hassett. We also have plans to travel Europe while we are over there. Then, when we return, I will be entering the real world and starting a job with Ameriprise Financial in October.
Bethany Wolvington: This summer after graduation, I’m going to New York for the summer to continue working with my company. After the summer is over, I plan on taking the year off to travel. I am going to network across the country, and perhaps the world, and continue to learn through mentors. Through all of this, I will develop knowledge I need to start my business that I will use to help people and better there lives through the skills and talents I have discovered. I am very excited!
GopherSports.com: What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?
Colleen Conway: Thanks for always coming and supporting us, especially those who participate in the parent pyramid!
Katie Dalen: Thanks for all the love and support, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you! My family has been amazing through this whole experience and I am grateful for all their support.
Briana Hassett: Thanks! I'm lucky to have such great people to support me during the rough times, and to share in my joy during the good times.
Lauren Pockl: To my biggest fans and supporters -- my family -- I want to say I love you, and thank you for always being there to push me when I need motivation, to keep me in check when I get out of line, and for supporting me in everything that I do. To everyone else, thank you for always supporting Gopher softball, and for being there to cheer us on through the thick and thin. You are the best fans a team could ask for!
Shannon Stemper: Thank you for all the support. Thank you for coming to the games and making it a great experience both on and off of the field. Also, I would like to send a special thank you to my family. Thank you for coming to the games, traveling with the team, and for all of the hugs and support. Thank you for all that you do.
Bethany Wolvington: Thank you so much! Your support means so much to me. And don’t forget to seize your someday.
