Women's Ice Hockey

Student-Athlete Spotlight: Stephanie Martin, UW-Eau Claire

Each week during the 2022-23 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its eight institutions for a “Student-Athlete Spotlight” Q & A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday and individuals are selected by the institution. The WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights are presented by Culver's.


Name:  Stephanie Martin             
Institution:  UW-Eau Claire
Hometown (High School):  Yorktown, Va. (Ontario Hockey Academy)
Year in school:  Senior (5th year)
Sport:  Women’s Ice Hockey
Major:  Biology
Minors:  Pre-Professional Health, Business Administration, American Sign Language


Why did you choose UW-Eau Claire?
Eau Claire not only has a highly competitive hockey program that has a chance to compete for a national championship every year, but the campus itself has a wide variety of resources and staff that allow me to better myself as both an athlete and a student. Even though the size of UWEC is large for being a Division III school, I feel like the students and the community are close knit and I can get to know my peers and professors on an individual level and not just be “another student” on campus.
 
What other clubs/organizations on campus are you involved in?
American Sign Language Honor Society, Transfer Student Honor Society, Pre-Professional Health Club, Women in STEM, and Women’s Club Lacrosse.
 
What causes do you care about?
Giving back to those less fortunate than myself.
Promoting mental health, especially in student-athletes.
Supporting our active military members and veterans.

What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
Being a Division III athlete allows me the flexibility to play hockey at an extremely competitive level, while still being able to focus on getting good grades and balance other extracurricular activities; it is not impossible to manage school, sports, and a social life all at once.
Competing in the WIAC is a challenge embraced as the depth of every team makes for very competitive and exciting games that forces our team to be prepared physically and mentally no matter who we play.
 
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver’s?  ButterBurger Deluxe
Flavor of the Day from Culver’s?  Crazy for Cookie Dough
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus?  McIntyre Library- so many different resources available and the view from the 5th floor is amazing!
Movie?  Toy Story
Holiday?  Christmas
Food?  Steak and Potatoes
Musical Group/Artist?  Morgan Wallen
Professional Sports Athlete/Team?  Jack Eichel/Buffalo Sabers
Vacation Spot?  Hilton Head, South Carolina
 
What is your greatest sports moment? 
My first collegiate game, which was actually my first collegiate start and win against the defending national champions at the time. What made it even better was being surprised by my parents after the game (they said they couldn’t make it but were actually hiding in the stands during the game).
 
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
Volunteer with the Eau Claire Youth Hockey Association or attend other Blugold sporting events.
 
One word that describes your team?
Relentless.
 
One word that describes you?
Determined.
 
What is your dream job? 
I’m working towards becoming either a pediatric dentist or orthodontist.
 
Three things on your "bucket list"?
---Travel to Alaska.
---Attend a Buffalo Bills game.
---Learn how to wakeboard.
 
A non-athletic talent that you have is?
I can play the trombone and the clarinet.

Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
I like to drink a glass of orange juice the morning of every game and eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich right before I head to the rink. I also like to juggle racquetballs and put my left skate and pad on before my right.
 
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