Gophers Basketballer Joins U's Soccer Team
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Gopher women's soccer team added a veteran player to their team for just one season. Now former Gophers basketball player Jackie Voigt is enjoying playing her second varsity sport at the University of Minnesota.
Voigt was a four-year starter on the University of Minnesota basketball team. She thought her Gophers athletic career was over this spring after they won the WBI postseason tournament, but it wasn't.
Voigt played both soccer and basketball growing up, so returning to the field wasn't out of the question. Right now she's refining some skills in her new role as a backup goalie.
Voigt's hard work during practice hasn't gone unnoticed by her teammates and head coach Stefanie Golan.
"Jackie displays that leadership quality of busting to do my best. Despite the fact that I'm not the number 1 right now, I'm going to do everything to get better, so if the time presents itself, I'm ready to go," said Golan.
"She works her butt off," added teammate Kristen Knutson.
Voigt's great height defined her role on the court, but on the field it can be an advantage and disadvantage at the same time.
"A lot of people give me credit for being tall. I can reach the top of the goal, but it's a lot farther to get down on the ground," she said.
In the meantime, Voigt's watching and cheering her teammates on from the sidelines, knowing her veteran leadership is impacting to their play on the field.
When Voigt's two-sport endeavor is done this fall, she hopes to leave with fond memories.
"This is one last season to be an athlete and learn from everything. It's just so fun," she said.
Voigt, who incidentally was a former WCCO sports intern, will receive her Master's Degree in December in applied kinesiology. She already has her B.S. in sports management with an emphasis in communication.
