Each week during the 2025-26 academic year, the 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:  Maksis Brimanis
Institution:  UW-Stout
Hometown and High School:  Anchorage, Alaska (Culver Military Academy)
Year in school:  Senior
Sport:  Men’s Ice Hockey
Major:  Engineering Technology

Why did you choose UW-Stout?
I chose UW-Stout because it is a Polytechnic University which was very appealing to me. The hands-on labs and classroom setting was exactly what I was looking for as a student. The area is more my style versus a larger city setting.

What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
I like the WIAC because of the amount of strong athletic programs it has to offer. The difference between a first and last place finish is very little, which makes the competition so much greater. Competing against some of the best NCAA Division III teams in the country each weekend is what I look forward to as an athlete.
 
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver’s?  A Double Butter Burger with Fries
Flavor of the Day from Culver’s?  A scoop of vanilla ice cream with Oreos
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus?  Memorial Student Center
TV Show?  Yellowstone
Holiday?  Christmas
Food?  Sushi
Animal?  Grizzly Bear
Smartphone App?  Tik-Tok
Musical Group or Artist?  AC/DC, Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd
Professional Sports Athlete or Team?  Tom Wilson
Vacation Spot?  Iceland
 
What is your greatest sports moment? 
Being at the 2014 NHL Draft in Philadelphia.
 
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
I love to be in the outdoors either fishing or hunting.
 
Who is someone that you look up to?
My Dad.
 
Do you have any words of advice for younger/upcoming student-athletes?
Enjoy each day as if it is your last.
 
One word that describes you?
Attentive.
 
What is your dream job? 
Maybe an equipment manager for a sports team?
 
Three things on your "bucket list"?
---Go to Japan
---Hunt a massive bull moose
---Own a boat
 
A non-athletic talent that you have is?
Being bi-lingual.

What’s your dream sporting event to attend?
Attend a UFC fight.
 
Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
When I am putting my gear on, I do left then right. (left skate then right skate, left elbow pad then right elbow pad etc.)