15 minutes with Kylee Burkholder from West Unity (Hilltop High School) Bluffton University student and member of the women's basketball team, number 42. Derek Woods, Icon intern conducted this interview.
What year are you at Bluffton University?
I'm a junior.
What is your major?
Public relations with a minor in marketing.
What was your summer job?
I was a receptionist at Anderson and Vreeland.
Tell me when you first begin to play basketball?
I started playing basketball in fifth grade.
Are there other members of your family who play basketball?
No one else in my family plays basketball.
How many team mascots have you played for?
Let's see, the Hilltop Cadets, Defiance Bulldogs, Continental Pirates and Bluffton Beavers.
Tell me about your best-ever basketball game.
It was my senior year of high school. I missed two games due to an injury. But, then on my first game back, I had 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 steals. I felt pretty good about that game.
At Bluffton how many times have lettered and started?
I have lettered every year I’ve played, which is two seasons. I'vs started off and on for the past two years.
Tell me about your Bluffton regular weekly routine involving basketball.
First of all, in the off-season I'm in open gym two times a week. There I'm in lifting and conditioning for 1 ½ hours, three times a week. I'm involved in shooting workout two times a week.
During the season I get a tape treatment before pre-practice. Then, there's pre-practice 20 minutes, practice for two hours, every day except Sundays and game days. I'm lifting three times a week after practice, about 30 minutes and then there's various team meetings, films to watch and scouting reports study throughout the week.
What part of the game comes easiest for you?
Rebounding and offensive rebounding is the strongest part of my game.
What part of the game do you really need to work on?
I need to work on dribbling!
How did you decide to attend Bluffton University?
I fell in love with the small, tight-knit community that Bluffton provides. It reminds me of home. The values that Bluffton encourages are what attracted me the most.
How do you balance basketball and academics?
I learned very quickly not to procrastinate. Balancing academics and a sport is challenging, but definitely worth it.
The positives greatly outweigh the negatives and it feels great to be a part of something more than just myself. The girls I play with have taught me so much and I am very grateful for this wonderful opportunity.
The program here at Bluffton has impacted me on so many levels and has helped me grow not only as an athlete but also as a person.
Where would you like to be 10 years from now?
Ten years from now I hope to have a job for a professional sports team in the public relations department and hopefully will be starting a family.
