Men's Ice Hockey

Student-Athlete Spotlight: Evan Junker, UW-Stevens Point

Each week during the 2024-25 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:  Evan Junker
Institution:  UW-Stevens Point
Hometown (High School):  Elk River, Minn. (Elk River High School)
Year in school:  Senior
Sport:  Men’s Ice Hockey
Major:  Health Science and Wellness

Why did you choose UW-Stevens Point?
I choose UW-Stevens Point because of the success that they have had for years and years. Also, the tradition and culture are unmatched at any other WIAC school. The support that we get night in, and night out is super special, and the alumni are still super active in supporting the team every single season.

What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
The thing that I like the most about competing in the WIAC are the rivalries. Every time there is a WIAC conference game that is regular season or playoffs, you know that the game is going to be really good and you know that there will be tons of support from fans wherever you go.
 
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver’s?  Double Butter Burger with Cheese
Flavor of the Day from Culver’s?  Chocolate Volcano
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus?  The DUC
TV Show?  Friends
Holiday?  Christmas
Food?  Steak
Animal?  Dog
Smartphone App?  Instagram
Musical Group or Artist?  Noah Kahan/Zach Bryan
Professional Sports Athlete or Team?  Minnesota Wild
Vacation Spot?  Hawaii
 
What is your greatest sports moment? 
Beating Augsburg in the NCAA first round, at the K.B. Willett, in the 4th overtime.
 
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
Team meals.
 
Who is someone that you look up to?
My dad.
 
Do you have any words of advice for younger/upcoming student-athletes?
Take care of the things that take care of you.
 
One word that describes you?
Authentic.
 
What is your dream job? 
Physical therapist working with athletes helping them to recover and get back to their sports.
 
Three things on your "bucket list"?
---Go to Europe.
---Win a national championship.
---Skydive.
 
A non-athletic talent that you have is?
I can play the drums and the trumpet.

Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
For home games, I will go to Goodwill at some point during the day to thrift. Other than that, I like to eat pregame meal at the same time and do everything that I do to prepare for practice to help me prepare for the game. Get to the rink, tape my stick, do mobility, do off ice warmup, then get dressed right side of my body to left and hit the ice.
 
# # # # #