University of Minnesota Athletics
Where are the Now? Catching Up With Maggie Souba
7/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
Periodically, gophersports.com will catch up with Gopher women's hockey alums throughout the summer months. This feature of "Where Are They Now?" is former Gopher Maggie Souba. Souba was a four-year letterwinner with the program from 2003-07. During her tenure, Souba played in 137 games and played both as a forward and a defenseman. Since leaving the University of Minnesota, Souba has gone on to work for the Teach For America program and also played hockey in Russia. Listed below is a question and answer session with Souba.
Gophersports.com: You started your college career in 2003 and ended it in 2007. What were some of your most memorable moments during your tenure?
Maggie Souba: Winning back to back National Championships is the first thing that comes to mind. That was an incredible experience and still something I look back on and feel honored to be a part of. Also, competing in the 2007 NCAA Skills Competition in St. Louis was a highlight of my career. It was an absolute blast and a really fun way to end my college days.
GS: As a former Gopher student-athlete, what are some things you have taken away from college and have now used them in everyday life?
MS: The ability to multitask and balance all sorts of different demands is something I learned how to do in college and something I do everyday here! This past year I taught full time and was also enrolled in a full time grad school program. It got pretty crazy, but I felt like I was prepared for it because of the demanding schedule we had in college.
GS: You’ve been quite a busy person since leaving the U. Tell us all of the places that you’ve been to and where has been your favorite place to live?
MS: After I graduated I moved to Grand Junction, Colo., three days later and worked for a Christian organization leading youth on mission trips. I was there all summer and had a great time working with youth from all over the country and building relationships within the community.
After I left Colorado, about three weeks later I moved to Russia to play a year of hockey. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but it turned out to be an absolute blast and an amazing experience
I left Russia and three months later I moved to Hawai’i to teach first grade in a small town on the Leeward side of the island called Wai’anae.
It is really hard to pick my favorite place to live because I was doing such different things in each community I lived in. But each place is very important to me and I will always remember the relationships I built in each community.
GS: I’m assuming there are many, but what were the main differences playing hockey in Russia compared to the U.S. or collegiately?
MS: Hockey in Russia was not nearly as competitive as U.S. college hockey was. When we played other teams, there was a sense of competition, but I noticed that the practices were a lot more relaxed. We took more breaks and level of rigor in practice was not a high as in the U.S. The level of physical play was a lot less in Russia than it was in the US as well. They focus a lot more on the passing and skating components of the game.
GS: What was your favorite food in Russia?
MS: My favorite food was the ever famous Russian soup borsch by far!! I could eat that stuff everyday.
GS: You’ve also been a part of helping with hurricane victims in New Orleans. Talk a little about what that experience has been like and how long you were there.
MS: I went down to New Orleans with a group of adults from the church I grew up in. We went down there for a week in April of 2008, so about two and a half years after the storm. I could not believe how bad the damage still was. We worked in St. Bernard’s Parish and helped a family rebuild their home. It was an amazing opportunity to help out that part of the country and aid in the rebuilding process.
GS: Now you’re in the Teach for America program and are teaching in Hawaii. When did you know that you wanted to become involved in this program and how long of a commitment is it?
MS: I was contacted my senior year of college by Teach For America. At first I was not completely sold on the idea of becoming a teacher. However, after learning more about the program and the mission of the program which is ending educational inequity across the country, I decided it was a movement I wanted to be a part of. I knew whatever I did with my life I would want to be working with a low income community or at-risk students. I knew this program would put in a situation where I would be able to work with both of those populations. I decided to apply and after going through a very long and strenuous interview process I was accepted. I chose Hawai’i as my first regional preference and I am still pretty stoked to be living in Hawai’i. The minimum commitment for Teach For America is two years, however, at this point I think I will stay on the island and teach past my required time.
GS: What grade do you teach and explain your experience within your school and living in Hawaii.
MS: I teach First Grade at Kamaile Academy Public Charter School in Wai’anae Hawai’i. This is a Pre K-8th grade school that qualifies as a Title I school, meaning over 70 percent of the students are receiving free or reduced lunch prices. The Wai’anae Coast is a very poor and struggling community. We have the highest population of homeless students on the island and also have a very high rate of drug and alcohol abuse within the community.
Living in Hawai’i has been great! I live in the same community that I teach in, which allows me to see my students outside of the classroom and I am able to build relationships with their families. Plus, the weather in Hawai’i…that part can’t be beat! I never have to start my car to warm it up, scrape off snow, and I am able to wear shorts and flip flops to work everyday. Also a big plus!!
GS: Two-part question: What do you do during your free time and have you become a top-notch surfer yet?
MS: Free time. What’s that? My first year of teaching was incredibly busy. I spent most of my evenings lesson planning, and doing grad school work. The weekends were pretty much consumed with grad school classes and meetings. However, I have found some free time. Although I have not become a pro surfer yet, I do enjoy going hiking and snorkeling when I find some extra time on the weekends. I have also had the chance to sky dive, and travel to a few other islands. I just recently played a game of pick up hockey at the infamous Ice Palace Hawai’i. It was the first time I was on the ice in a year and half, a little rusty, but a lot of fun!
