Softball

Student-Athlete Spotlight: Haylie Wittman, UW-Oshkosh

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:  Haylie Wittman
Institution:  UW-Oshkosh
Hometown and High School:  Kaukauna, Wis. (Kaukauna High School)
Year in school:  Senior
Sport:  Softball
Major:  Marketing

Why did you choose UW-Oshkosh?
I picked UW-Oshkosh because it’s super close to home! I’m from Kaukauna, so it’s only about a 30-minute drive, which makes it easy to go home or have my family come visit. Family is a big part of my life, so being able to stay close and have them come watch my softball games whenever they can mean a lot to me.
 
What other clubs/organizations on campus are you involved in?
Outside of softball, I am the President and Founder of Women in Business, Co-President and Social Media Coordinator for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and I work as a Reservations Assistant in Reeve.

What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
Competing in the WIAC is like no other. What I love most about this conference is that no game we play is ever a roll-over. We all compete so hard because we all want to succeed and come out on top. Because there are so many amazing teams in this conference, all games are intense and bring such a fun and competitive atmosphere. Titan supporters, especially during conference play, are like no other which adds another amazing element to the game!
 
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver’s?  Cheeseburger kid’s meal with cheese curds and a chocolate milk
Flavor of the Day from Culver’s?  Caramel Fudge Cookie Dough
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus?  Sage
TV Show?  Grey’s Anatomy and His & Hers
Holiday?  Fourth of July
Food?  Steak
Animal?  Sea Turtle
Smartphone App?  Pinterest
Musical Group or Artist?  Morgan Wallen and A$AP Rocky
Professional Sports Athlete or Team?  Not a professional team but I LOVE Florida State softball and my favorite player on the team is Isa Torres!
Vacation Spot?  Gatlinburg, Tennessee
 
What is your greatest sports moment? 
Knocking out the defending National Champions my sophomore year to make it to the World Series in Texas. I also loved getting to experience everything at the World Series! It was such a surreal feeling playing on that big of a stage.
 
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
Simply just hanging out or going to get ice cream! Our team is so close knit that hanging out with each other on a random night feels so normal and we always have so much fun!
 
Who is someone that you look up to?
Both of my parents. They have each been through so much and I couldn’t be more appreciative for them today. My parents have taught my brother and I how to work hard to achieve our dreams. Sometimes I don’t say it enough, but I am forever thankful for everything my parents have sacrificed for me to play the sport I love!
 
Do you have any words of advice for younger/upcoming student-athletes?
Always work for what you want to achieve. From softball to school and even starting a club on campus. I have always wanted to be successful and leave an impact. But my success in these areas of life didn’t come easy. Throughout college I have challenged myself in ways that I have never done so before and I couldn’t be more thankful that I did so. In short, I would tell young/upcoming student-athletes to work hard for what you want and to step out of your comfort zone!
 
One word that describes you?
Determined
 
What is your dream job? 
To own my own company so that I can be my own boss one day.
 
Three things on your "bucket list"?
---Travel to all 50 states
---Go to a Florida State softball game
---Live in state that is not Wisconsin
 
A non-athletic talent that you have is?
Photography!

What’s your dream sporting event to attend?
The Division I World Series in Oklahoma City or The Master’s
 
Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
Not anymore! I used to be very superstitious in high school and my freshman year here, but I have learned to simply enjoy the game how it is and be thankful I get to continue to play a sport I love at such a high level!
 
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