Bio

Katie played a key role during her five years with the team, from 2004 to 2009. She was named to the 2004-05 OUA East All-Rookie Team. She graduated from uOttawa with Degrees in Criminology, Arts and Education, which eventually led her to a career in teaching

What is your best memory of your time spent with the Gee-Gees?
My fondest memory with the Gee-Gees was when I went to the Nationals in my first year. Nationals is something that I will never forget because this was my rookie season with the university, and we ended up making it to the final tournament in Winnipeg. I barely saw the court during the regular season, however I was fortunate enough to score some minutes in one of our biggest games at Nationals. I played one of my best games of the season and had my best offensive games of the year!

What would your former Gee-Gees teammates be surprised to find out about you?
I don’t think that there is anything that my former teammates wouldn’t already know about me. I see all of my former teammates on a regular basis, and they know everything that is going on in my life because I can’t hide anything from them! We are all still close friends ten years later.

What did you go on to do after graduation?
After I graduated from the U of O, I became a teacher. I am now teaching the seventh grade at Featherston Drive Public School here in Ottawa.

Who or what inspires you the most?
When I was in first year I looked up to Kristen Moyle (who was our team captain: a fifth year veteran on our team). She modeled a solid work ethic and an understanding of the importance of playing as a team. Through her guidance, I was able to grow and mature as a basketball player and as a teacher. She has been an excellent role model in both aspects of my life, and I continue to look up to her as a mentor and friend.

What are you most proud of?
Even though I graduated five years ago, I cannot put into words how proud I am to be an alumna of the Gee-Gees women’s basketball program. I feel very fortunate to have been a part of the team for five years, and during that time I went to the Nationals twice. I am proud of the contributions I made to the team during my five years at the University. l still wear my Gee-Gee gear with pride and the memories that I made will last a lifetime. As a teacher, I regularly talk about my experiences playing for the Gee-Gees as a way of motivating my students to get involved in team sport.

How did interuniversity sports affect your life both during your studies and afterwards?

Interuniversity sport has had a profound effect on my life. Through basketball I learnt what it is like to be part of a team and to work together to achieve a common goal. As a teacher, it is extremely important that you collaborate with your colleagues so that you can learn from others ideas. Working with your peers allows you to be successful since everyone brings different strengths to the table. Team sport has also helped me build lifelong friendships with the women I met on the team. Ten years later, am still friends with the girls that I played basketball with. As a team, we had to overcome many obstacles. Today, I still face many hurdles, and my teammates are like family. They are an amazing support system, and I know that they are always there for me.

Team sport also taught me discipline. During my time as a Gee-Gee, basketball held me accountable for my schooling because I had to maintain a grade point average. If you did not keep your marks up it was simple: you were off the team. I had to attend class, keep up with readings, practice and weight train. Time-management is a crucial part of being a student-athlete. Being a member of the Gee-Gees was a motivation for me to be academically successful.

Being an athlete has also taught me the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Exercise was a very important part of my university life. I continue to live an active lifestyle by working out regularly and I encourage and motivate my students so that they are physically active and participate in some sort of sport or physical activity every day.

What piece of advice would you give to Gee-Gees about life after graduation?

I would advise all student-athletes to pursue a career in something that they are passionate about. Being a part of a CIS team requires you to love what you do, and the same goes for any professional career. I naturally chose teaching because I love to be a part of a team, and I enjoy working with people. It is important to select a career path that you are interested in, not one that someone else has chosen for you.