The Wisconsin Women's Basketball Team Remembers Thanksgiving
November 22, 2001 | Women's Basketball
The Badger women's basketball team took a few minutes to reflect on what its members are thankful for Wednesday during a layover enroute to the Paradise Jam Tournament held this Thanksgiving weekend in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The Badgers play Texas on Saturday, and either No. 12 Florida or USC on Sunday.
22'Leah Hefte, G, Jr., McFarland, WI (McFarland)
"I am thankful for my family and my friends. And I am very thankful to be on this team because we are able to go places like St. Thomas, and that is very fun. I'm very thankful for all my teammates and my coaches, and that we are all happy and healthy. I'm also thankful that we live in a world where women get almost as many opportunities as men do because I know in other countries that's not how it is."
30'Tamara Moore, G/F, Sr., Minneapolis, MN (North Community)
"I am thankful for my health and I am thankful for my scholarship, because it gives me the opportunity to fulfill a dream I've always had. And I know I may not have had the opportunity if I didn't play basketball."
11'Stephanie Rich, G, Fr., Crawfordsville, IA (Washington)
"I'm thankful for the opportunity to play college basketball and for all the people I've met up here so far. And I'm most thankful for my family because they have been so supportive through everything."
First Thanksgiving away from home' "Yes and I'm missing that home cooked food so bad. Sometimes we go to an Amish house and they cook the best noodles in the world. Amish cooking is the best! Other times we go to my grandma 's house and kind of mix in Christmas and Thanksgiving."
Favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner' "Sleeping afterwards and the pie. My grandma can make some awesome pies." Favorites' "Raspberry, pumpkin, apple, they are the best."
42'Leslie Jauch, C, Fr., Baraboo, WI. (Baraboo)
"I am thakful for my family."
(technically this is Leslie's first Thanksgiving away from home, but her Mom and Dad made the trip to the tournament in St. Thomas).
41'Jessie Stomski, F, Sr., Oakdale, MN (Tartan)
"I'm thankful for being a part of this wonderful team, and for the opportunity to play basketball. And, my family and my friends, and cookies!"
2'Jessica Liegel, G/F, Jr./So., Plain, WI (River Valley HS -Spring Green)
"I'm thankful for peace of mind, and for being a part of this team."
Jane Albright, Head Coach
"I'm thankful for my family, my friends, my very special team that I have this year, the freedoms that I have in this country, and my health. And lastly (I am thankful for) my two wonderful shelties who remind me daily not to take anything too seriously."
15'Katy Aagaard, G, Fr., Edina, MN (Edina)
"I'm thankful for my family, who I am miss very much right now, and the opportunity to play on this team. I love it."
First Thanksgiving away from home' "Yes. It's hard, I miss them. We usually get together with grand parents and cousins in Audubon, Iowa."
1'Candas Smith, G, Jr., Madison, WI (West)
"I'm thankful for my family and I'm thankful for the choices I've made to be around the people that are surrounding me today."
Will Davis, Videographer
"I'm thankful for being alive. Thankful that I see another day. Thankful I'm not taking it for granted."
40'Shawna Nicols, G, Fr., Milwaukee, WI (Pius XI)
"I am thankful for my family and friends and teammates, and for being able to go to the Virgin Islands on Thanksgiving break. And I'm looking forward to having fun and playing some good ball.
First Thanksgiving away from home'
"Yes. Our tradition is to go to my grandma's house and have the whole family over (both sides)." Favorite part of the meal' "My mom's stuffing and mashed potatoes."
Mark Moll, Athletic Trainer
"I'm thankful for my understanding wife, who is not on the trip."
Erika Lang-Montgomery, Assistant Coach
"This Thanksgiving I'm thankful for health, family. I 'm thankful for the new addition to my family. We have a baby on the way that 's due in February, and that is probably the greatest thing I'm thankful for."
Larry Montgomery (husband of asst. coach Erika Lang- Montgomery)
"I'm thankful for my wife and the beautiful baby we are going to have early next year. And for the opportunity to go on trips like this and I 'm thankful to be around friends."
43'Kristi Seeger, F, Jr., Stoughton, WI (Stoughton)
"I'm most thankful for my family and my friends, and the satisfaction that life gives me."
12'Abby Simmons, F, So. Verona, WI (Verona)
"I'm thankful for being on such an awesome team and for the opportunity to go to this school. And I'm thankful for my family and friends and for being healthy."
Mark Ciociola, Manager
"I'm thankful for the opportunity to go on trips with the women's basketball team and go on trips like this and learn from one of the best coaching staffs in the country."
44'Emily Ashbaugh, C, So., Woodinville, WA (Redmond)
"I am thankful for the opportunities that basketball has brought me and the team that I play on today. And I am most thankful for my family and the general good health that we all share. There is nothing more important than that. And I'm very thankful (they will be with us in St. Thomas.)"
32'Kyle Black, G, Sr., Indianapolis, IN (North Central)
"I am thankful for my family and for the opportunity to play collegiate (division) I basketball and get a good education."
25'Ebba Gebisa, F, Fr., West Lafayette, IN (West Lafayette)
"I am thankful for all of my family and friends, and for all of the wonderful experiences I've had here at the UW."
Kate Peterson, Assistant Coach
"I'm thankful for my family, my parents and my brother and sister-in-law and three kids who will be enjoying Thanksgiving dinner together while I have the terrible job of lying on the beah and getting tan."
Kelly Kenny Assistant Coach
"I am most thankful for my family and my friends and the opportunity to work at Wisconsin and be part of the BadgerBall program."
52'Sarah Jirovec, C, Sr., Stevens Point, WI (SPASH)
"I'm thankful for the wonderful support of family and friends."
Katie Stojsavljevic, Manager
"I'm thankful for my family and friends, of course, that goes without saying. But this year I'm especially thankful to be a part of this team. It's been a lot of fun so far and I know it's going to be even more as the season goes on."
Tam Flarup, Sports Information
"I'm thankful to be on this trip collecting people's thoughts for this story. I'm thankful for my 25 years in Wisconsin Athletics from which I have had the opportunity to see the world and write the stories of many teams.
"But I am especially thankful for having been able to observe and participate in the growth of women's athletics. It has been the greatest treat to watch the confidence and talents of women athletes grow,and for women's sports to gain in stature in this society. It's been fabulous to be a little part of Wisconsin's women's sports heritage, and for that, I am most grateful."
