Posted 2/19/08
Senior center Berent Froiland is playing his last UW-Platteville men's basketball regular season game Saturday at 5 p.m. in an important WIAC matchup with UW-Stevens Point. Froiland, a Viroqua native and Kickapoo High School graduate, and his Pioneer teammates will also begin conference playoffs on Bo Ryan Court Monday at 7 p.m.
Have you thought about Senior Night and what Pioneer basketball has meant to you?
"I've thought about the last game a little bit, but not too extensively, and what it means. We'll have at least one home playoff game, too. As far as the last four years, I'm kind of waiting for the end of the season before reflecting on that."
What originally brought you to UW-Platteville?
"The history here and it was one of the few schools that offered my major. On the basketball side, the history and Bo Ryan and all that were big reasons. I'm a soil and crop major with a broadcasting minor."
What have you learned about yourself over four years?
"It certainly feels like I've grown as a person. I was kind of shy kid when I came here and didn't want to say anything to anybody. It's been a process, and I've met quite a few people in the community and felt like I've grown since high school. It's been a complete change."
How about on the basketball court, what's been your highlight?
"Obviously, as of right now, this season has been pretty fun. As far as individual highlights, the trip to San Diego (over the New Year's holiday) was pretty neat. I had never really been out of the Tri-State area before. As far as basketball, I don't know if I've really had one yet. Hopefully it's still to come."
What is your role on the Pioneer team?
"Right now it feels like it's a teacher. Unfortunately on scout team, we don't have a lot of big guys in the WIAC, so it's a little bit of a down year for me. Just being on the scout team and being able to help the guys, seeing what they don't see in games, are my roles. I try and help the young guys go through every day. It's a bit of a change from high school, going 2-3 hours some days with practices and film sessions."
Is there a time when you've done really well on the scout team that you can sit back and say, 'I helped that'?
"Yes, especially freshman year. We had the two seven-footers at Stout, and we beat Stout both times. That was pretty exciting, knowing I helped out with that. It's a good feeling to give 100 percent and know I've prepared them well, especially (Jeff) Skemp, if he does well against seven-footers and bigger guys."
What do you plan on doing after graduation?
"I will be done with classes in the spring, and then I have an internship I have to do in the summer. I will officially graduate in August. My dream job would be an NFL Films cameraman, which is why I stuck with the broadcasting. There's just something about being on a football field. I was on the (UWP) chain gang, and thought that was pretty neat. That's my dream job. If I don't get that, then someplace I will do something with a soil and crop-related job."
Interview by Sports Information Director Paul Erickson