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A Leatherneck Summer - Tate Stensgaard

Men's Basketball WIU Athletics

A Leatherneck Summer: Tate Stensgaard

Senior men's basketball player continues WIU's summer series, spotlighting what WIU student-athletes are doing this summer.

My name is Tate Stensgaard, a senior forward on the men's basketball team from Rapid City, South Dakota. Playing basketball has been my passion since I was a just a tyke. Pursuing the dream has led me to two of the best places I could have asked for. After high school, I attended Sheridan Junior College in Sheridan, Wyoming. After playing for a marvelous head coach, Steve Smiley, I was given my dream opportunity to play here at WIU.
 
Fast forward to this summer and my current journey.
 
Getting the opportunity to spend this summer in Macomb with the team is a huge blessing. Each day we start our days off with our strength and conditioning program at 7:30 a.m. Being able to push each other to get bigger, faster, stronger is something we all take pride in. One of our head coach Billy Wright's favorite quotes is, "One Unit. One Family. One Goal. ALL IN." After our morning workouts, the day consists of schoolwork, team workouts on the court and nightly study tables. Over the summer I am enrolled in seven credit hours and getting that much closer to graduation. Spending the summer with the guys is great, especially getting to know, and inducting the new group into our culture and expectations. One thing is for sure; this Leatherneck program is ALL IN.
 
Outside of basketball, I am involved in many different things. I am apart of WIU's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and work at Magnolia's Restaurant and Catering as a server.
 
A typical weekend usually consists of homework and work. Working at Magnolia's has given me a great opportunity to learn a different set of skills. Getting a taste of the service industry and learning from an amazing boss, Lisa Ward, is just another step to prepare me for the "real world." While working, I get the opportunity to be a server in the restaurant or cater for different events such as weddings, banquets, and many other special occasions. Being an RPTA major and aspiring to be an Event Planner, there is not a better opportunity for me to learn.
 
I currently hold the position of SAAC Vice President, and I will also be attending the Summit League SAAC conference with fellow WIU student-athlete Karissa Kouchis this summer. We get the opportunity to talk about current events and issues around the Summit League and NCAA with other athletes from across the conference. There is also a day spent doing community service with kids in the Chicago area and teach them some of the skills we have acquired over the years.
 
Time is very precious to me this year. My time is becoming limited at WIU and I love every moment of being a Leatherneck. The summer is just a small piece to our future success as a team and as individual student-athletes. I am blessed with all the opportunities and people I have encountered at Western, and look forward to the upcoming academic year.
 
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Players Mentioned

Tate Stensgaard

#32 Tate Stensgaard

F
6' 9"
Senior
Stevens / Sheridan

Players Mentioned

Tate Stensgaard

#32 Tate Stensgaard

6' 9"
Senior
Stevens / Sheridan
F