Chippewa Valley Times

Former UW-Eau Claire athletes have transitioned from their sports careers to impactful roles in the community as physical therapists. Both Pecha and Graaskamp, who were kinesiology majors at UW-Eau Claire, credit their undergraduate education for preparing them for graduate school and their subsequent careers.

Pecha was a key player on the Blugold softball team, contributing to the program's first NCAA National Championship in 2008. After completing her doctoral studies, she returned to Chippewa Valley and joined Northwoods Therapy. In addition to her practice, Pecha has established a scholarship for kinesiology students with the help of the UW-Eau Claire Foundation. “About five years ago, I established a scholarship for kinesiology students with the help of the UW-Eau Claire Foundation,” she says. Through this fund, Pecha supports two students annually, hoping to instill the importance of giving back.

Graaskamp also benefited from her time at UW-Eau Claire, particularly from the department's focus on rehabilitation science. Despite missing a season due to injury, she achieved significant personal success on the basketball court and now finds reward in working with injured athletes. “My own injury and recovery experiences give me empathy that brings more trust with recovering athletes,” she explains.

Dr. Marquell Johnson, chair of kinesiology at UW-Eau Claire, has witnessed substantial growth in the department since joining in 2007. He notes an increase in students accepted into graduate programs such as physical therapy and highlights experiential learning opportunities as key factors for this success.

Dr. Nicholas Beltz echoes this sentiment by emphasizing how practical experience differentiates Blugold graduates from others when applying to graduate schools. Beltz credits his own preparation at UWEC as influential in his decision to return as faculty.

Johnson expresses pride in seeing alumni like Pecha and Graaskamp succeed nationwide: “We have students out there doing great things...really all across the United States.” These alumni stories serve as inspiration for current students pursuing similar paths.