The NSIC Student-Athlete Thursday Focus is a weekly update on a male and female student-athlete from around the NSIC.
Are you a NSIC Student-Athlete that wants to be featured on the NSIC Student-Athlete Thursday Focus: Fill out the NSIC Student-Athlete Questionnaire
NSIC Male Student-Athlete
Name:
Tyler Tonderum
University: Southwest Minnesota State University
Year: Junior
Hometown: Armstrong, Iowa
High School: Armstrong-Ringsted High School
Sport(s): Football
Major(s): Exercise Science, Marketing
1. Tell us how you first got involved in your sport?
From a young age I loved playing football, it was something that I couldn’t get enough of. My parents got me into a Pop Warner League in the 6th grade and from then on I’ve been addicted to football.
2. How did you end up deciding to attend your university and participate in athletics?
Southwest Minnesota State seemed like a perfect fit for me considering it had smaller class sizes and didn’t have a huge campus. As for playing football, Coach Sauter had so much knowledge of the game and had a attitude where he cared about you being a great person along with a great football player so I didn’t even have to think twice whether I wanted to go to SMSU.
3. What have you learned from being a student-athlete?
Managing my time has probably been the one thing that stands out from anything else. Trying to fit my studies in with a hectic schedule isn’t easy and by being organized and using my time wisely has really helped me get things accomplished.
4. What are your plans following graduation?
I plan to attend chiropractic school at Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa.
5. What is it like competing in the NSIC?
To me the NSIC is the best D2 conference in the country, each week no matter the teams records the outcome is never guaranteed. We always have nationally ranked teams and you will always see some type of crazy finish to a game.
6. Where is your favorite place to travel/play in the NSIC? (Besides your home arena) What makes it your favorite?
Playing at Minnesota State is always a great place to play when it comes to having a big crowd and an atmosphere where the fans are close to the field.
7. What is your favorite memory so far in your collegiate career?
Our teams first victory this season against MSU Moorhead in the final seconds when we won on a last second pass from our QB Charlie Kern to TJ Dean in the end zone. It was an amazing effort by our team to get the win in horrible conditions and really brought us closer together as a unit.
8. Who has influenced you most in your life and how?
Both of my parents have done many things in my life to teach me life lessons and push me to be the best that I can possibly be in every aspect of life whether it be football or life in general. They have always shown me how to do things the right way and to appreciate what people do for you.
Any additional information you would like to add, unique stories or situations, etc. Something people don’t know about you that you would like to share:
That I had never played an 11-man football game until I played in the Iowa Shrine bowl game a month before I went to college. Prior to that I played 8-man football my entire high school career.
NSIC Female Student-Athlete
Name: Kayla Koenecke
School: Concordia University St. Paul
Year: Senior
Hometown: Delano, Minn.
High School: Delano HS
Sport(s): Volleyball
Major(s): Marketing
1. Tell us how you first got involved in your sport?
I got started in volleyball in 7th grade through my grade school program. I enjoyed it so much I decided to try out for M1 Volleyball Club at 15 and played club there three more years.
2. How did you end up deciding to attend your university and participate in athletics?
Brady was my JO coach at M1 for two years, so being around his coaching style gave me a glimpse to what my volleyball experience at Concordia would be like. Concordia is also 40 minutes from my home town, making it really easy to be surrounded by family and friends in and out of season.
3. What have you learned from being a student-athlete?
I have learned to manage my time since I became a student-athlete at Concordia. Prioritizing assignments and communication with my professors are the biggest factors in succeeding in the classroom.
4. What are your plans following graduation?
After graduation, I plan to head into the corporate world to find a career I truly enjoy.
5. What is it like competing in the NSIC?
The NSIC is the best conference when it comes to competitive volleyball. There are no “off” nights when it comes to games. Every team will give you their best every time they step on the court, and that it what has prepared us to be successful at the end of the season.
6. Where is your favorite place to travel/play in the NSIC? (Besides your home arena) What makes it your favorite?
My favorite place to travel in the NSIC is SMSU and Duluth because they pack their gyms with screaming fans, and that is the environment our team thrives in.
7. What is your favorite memory so far in your collegiate career?
My favorite memory so far is beating Cal State in the 2011 National Championship match. All the trash talking and 3,000 fans fueled our fire, and we shut them out 3-0 for the win.
8. Who has influenced you most in your life and how?
Brady has influenced a large part of my life in a great way. Having him as a coach for 6 years has not only made me a better player, but a better person. A lot of what he coaches can also be applied outside of volleyball, and he always pushed me to be my best self.
Any additional information you would like to add, unique stories or situations, etc. Something people don’t know about you that you would like to share.:
I am thankful for the relationships I have made on this team, as I know I have made lifelong friends after everything is said and done.
Are you a NSIC Student-Athlete that wants to be featured on the NSIC Student-Athlete Thursday Focus: Fill out the NSIC Student-Athlete Questionnaire
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