University of Minnesota Athletics
Alumna Spotlight: Rachel (Hartmann) Fox
7/2/2020 11:51:00 AM | Volleyball
Rachel Fox (nee Hartmann) played for the Gophers from 2005-2008 as the starting setter. During that span, Fox accumulated 4,925 assists, which currently ranks sixth on Minnesota's all-time assist leaderboard. The past Academic All-Big Ten selection graduated from Minnesota with a degree in construction management. However, her volleyball career wasn't done just yet. She went on to play professional volleyball for three years in Puerto Rico and Switzerland. Check out what Rachel's been up to since she graduated and what her fondest memories were at Minnesota in our latest alumna update.
What led you to the University of Minnesota?
When my club coaches first told me that colleges were interested in recruiting me, I made plans to visit a few schools. When I arrived at the U for the first time, I fell in love with the campus. I knew in advance Minnesota's reputation for having a great volleyball team and great coaches. Playing for Mike Hebert was a privilege! The program's success and the coaching staff were major factors in my decision. An added bonus was playing for a Big Ten school so that my family in Illinois would be able to support me at many home and away matches.
At some point during the recruiting process I attended a home match. I remember the feeling that I had walking into the Pavilion and watching the player announcements before the match. It was special and I wanted to be a part of it!
You finished your collegiate volleyball career in 2008. What you've been up to since you've graduated?
After I graduated and after I stopped playing professional volleyball, I found my way into the construction industry. I had studied Construction Management at the U and was excited to get an opportunity to work first in roadway construction and later in residential construction. I managed the construction of many homes from permit to completion and walked families through the process. I met a lot of wonderful people and learned so much. I still use that experience to maintain and enhance my own home including some small construction projects.
In 2015, I married my husband, Jason Fox. He was also a volleyball player (Dominican University). We met while playing volleyball for the same co-ed rec team. It definitely makes for a competitive household! We now have two sweet boys, Jackson (3) and Jordan (1). We live in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago.
You went on to play professionally after your collegiate career. Where did you all play and what did you take away from that experience?
After my senior season at the U, I headed to Puerto Rico to play professional volleyball. I took a couple of classes online while I was playing so that I could return to campus and finish during the summer and graduate. After that, I played one season in Switzerland and then returned for one season in Puerto Rico.
Playing professionally was an amazing experience, especially because of the opportunity to travel through Europe. I took quick trips to London, Paris, Barcelona and Rome. One of my aunts is a Catholic nun in Chicago. She connected me with nuns in Rome. My teammate and I stayed in their convent for a few days. They drove us all around Rome, enabling us to see many sites in very little time. I also traveled to Hungary to spend time with family who I had never met before. My Hungarian relatives did not speak English which made for an interesting visit. We went to three homes in one day. They were so generous! Each family gave me so many gifts for myself and my immediate family that I had to buy an extra suitcase for the return flight! I would have missed these opportunities if it weren't for volleyball.
What are some of your fondest memories with Gopher Volleyball?
I have so many fond memories and I am so grateful for my time at the U. Everything about the environment in Minnesota made it an exceptional experience. We had the best fans and the best booster club. It is rare to find that kind of support and I miss playing in front of that great crowd. It was my home and my extended family for several years. Now I have my own family that I love more than anything. I look forward to supporting my boys the way I was supported and cheering them on in whatever they do. They already have some Gopher gear and they will be fans for life!
What led you to the University of Minnesota?
When my club coaches first told me that colleges were interested in recruiting me, I made plans to visit a few schools. When I arrived at the U for the first time, I fell in love with the campus. I knew in advance Minnesota's reputation for having a great volleyball team and great coaches. Playing for Mike Hebert was a privilege! The program's success and the coaching staff were major factors in my decision. An added bonus was playing for a Big Ten school so that my family in Illinois would be able to support me at many home and away matches.
At some point during the recruiting process I attended a home match. I remember the feeling that I had walking into the Pavilion and watching the player announcements before the match. It was special and I wanted to be a part of it!
You finished your collegiate volleyball career in 2008. What you've been up to since you've graduated?
After I graduated and after I stopped playing professional volleyball, I found my way into the construction industry. I had studied Construction Management at the U and was excited to get an opportunity to work first in roadway construction and later in residential construction. I managed the construction of many homes from permit to completion and walked families through the process. I met a lot of wonderful people and learned so much. I still use that experience to maintain and enhance my own home including some small construction projects.
In 2015, I married my husband, Jason Fox. He was also a volleyball player (Dominican University). We met while playing volleyball for the same co-ed rec team. It definitely makes for a competitive household! We now have two sweet boys, Jackson (3) and Jordan (1). We live in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago.
You went on to play professionally after your collegiate career. Where did you all play and what did you take away from that experience?
After my senior season at the U, I headed to Puerto Rico to play professional volleyball. I took a couple of classes online while I was playing so that I could return to campus and finish during the summer and graduate. After that, I played one season in Switzerland and then returned for one season in Puerto Rico.
Playing professionally was an amazing experience, especially because of the opportunity to travel through Europe. I took quick trips to London, Paris, Barcelona and Rome. One of my aunts is a Catholic nun in Chicago. She connected me with nuns in Rome. My teammate and I stayed in their convent for a few days. They drove us all around Rome, enabling us to see many sites in very little time. I also traveled to Hungary to spend time with family who I had never met before. My Hungarian relatives did not speak English which made for an interesting visit. We went to three homes in one day. They were so generous! Each family gave me so many gifts for myself and my immediate family that I had to buy an extra suitcase for the return flight! I would have missed these opportunities if it weren't for volleyball.
What are some of your fondest memories with Gopher Volleyball?
I have so many fond memories and I am so grateful for my time at the U. Everything about the environment in Minnesota made it an exceptional experience. We had the best fans and the best booster club. It is rare to find that kind of support and I miss playing in front of that great crowd. It was my home and my extended family for several years. Now I have my own family that I love more than anything. I look forward to supporting my boys the way I was supported and cheering them on in whatever they do. They already have some Gopher gear and they will be fans for life!
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