Posted 11/13/07
UW-Platteville's Michelle Ebert is a junior from Kenosha who was the Pioneers' top golfer during the 2007 season. She was the first Pioneer to earn the conference's new Sportsmanship Award.
Why did you come to UW-Platteville?
“I have family close by, within a half hour, so I get homesick I can travel over by them. It was between UW-Platteville and UW-Green Bay, and UW-Platteville has a golf team. The golf coach (Peter Reif) sent me articles about how they’ve done. I figured it would be a good place, and I could still play. I love to play golf.”
How long have you been playing golf? When did you decide to golf in college?
“I have been playing since my junior year of high school, so this will be my seventh year playing. I first learned how to play golf my freshman year in high school. They taught me the first day of practice; I had never golfed before. I had just watched my brother and my dad play. It was fun. My coaches were my lesson teachers throughout my four years of high school. I still go back to them when I need help. I decided to play golf in college my junior year in high school because my stoke average was starting to go down, both my coaches in high school were encouraging me to look at schools that have golf teams. Golf was just fun for me, so I figured I might as well have fun while I’m at school.”
How does it feel to be named to the WIAC All-Sportsmanship Team?
“That was great because you are chosen by your team. The team voted for me. I was pretty happy about that. Then the coaches all get a say in it after the team votes. The WIAC commissioner announced it (at the WIAC Championships). I was pretty honored.”
What has been your golf career highlight?
“I would say breaking 80 at the UW-Oshkosh tournament this year. I went 82 and then 79, and took third place. I was pretty happy about that because all year and last I shot in the low 80’s but I had never broke it before. So the first day I shot a 82 with a five-putt on my second-to-last hole, so without that I would have broken 80. My coach has been saying non-stop 'you could break 80, you have the talent, you can break 80, and we need you to break 80.' The next day he follows me on the last hole, and he asked, ‘what are you shooting?’ I said, ‘pretty good.’ He asked, ‘what’s going on? Why are you smiling at me?’ I said, ‘I need a four on this hole.’ He asked, ‘why do you need four?’ I said, ‘if I shoot a five, I will have 80.’ He said, ‘shut up, you’re going to shoot a 79?’ I said, ‘I need a four on this hole, so coach, let me breath.’ I got my 79, and was pretty happy about that. That was my highlight for the year.”
What is your major?
“Elementary education with minor in early childhood and I’m still thinking about a mathematics minor as well.”
What are you planning to do after graduation?
“Hopefully going back home to Kenosha to teach. I want to do my student teaching there also, so I can get an in with the district. I still have a lot of old teachers that are still there, and I do a lot of observation with them now. I want to teach fifth grade; that is the ideal grade, but I will take anything kindergarten, first. It would be great to be a math specialist, but I will take anything in general education. I like all kids.”
Interview by Sports Information Student Assistant Renee Gratz