Interview with All-American women's basketball forward Erin Hannemann

By Mark Siefert

Welcome back to the Cougar Den!

With the weather changing and the fall sports beginning to get closer to playoffs, there is a lot of activity going on inside the Shannon Center these days. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams are starting practice and within a couple of weeks exhibition games will be starting. Here is my quick outlook for each team:

Men: With returning starters Eddie Gilgenbach, Julian Scott, and Mike Johnstone, the Cougars should fare well this year. They should be able to finish in the top of the conference with the amount of depth they have this year and the additions of some needed big men. They lost their two inside men, but still competed and finished well last year. This year I would not be surprised for the Cougars to make a trip to the national tournament and even surprise a team or two down there.

Women: This senior-laden team has the ability to seriously contend for a national Championship this year with returning All-American Erin Hannemann, and All-conference players Kathlyn McClain, and Alex Barone. The Cougars have won the CCAC the past 5 years and I think I can go out on a limb and predict another one. Coach Hallberg has made some nice additions this year with two inside players; let’s hope that the sophomore and juniors had some breakout years.

Here is this week’s interview with All-American forward Erin Hannemann.

MS: What is your daily schedule/ routine look like during the week with
practice, meetings, and class?
EH: I have 3 classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and labs on Tuesdays and Thursdays which isn’t too bad. Every day we have practice from 4 o’clock to 6 o’clock so I get a break between class and practice.
MS: How many hours a week are you doing basketball related activity?
EH:Between practices, traveling, and games, I’d say I spend around 20 hours a week doing basketball related things.
MS: What is your most difficult class this semester? What is your most interesting? And why?
EH:My most difficult class this year is Physics. My most interesting class is psychology of Adulthood and Aging because we learn about what to expect as we are growing older.
MS: What do you like best about SXU athletics?
EH: I like how friendly everyone involved with SXU athletics is. Also, the fact that Saint Xavier is close to home so my family and friends can come see me play is very nice.
MS: Who on your team would you call the team prankster? Any good stories?
EH: Maureen Downs, enough said.

Thanks Erin, and stay tuned for my next blog.

Stay classy, Cougars!

Mark Siefert is a senior social science major from Crest Hill. He is a member of the baseball team. Consideration for the student bloggers is provided by Saint Xavier University.