Noelle Haines '18 Recruiting Profile

I like to win. I LOVE being part of a team. I was a multi-sport athlete in high school but I reserved my senior year to focus on getting stronger and faster for rowing.  I am the quiet one on the team - JUST KIDDING! I want to be an adaptive P.E. teacher one day (work with special needs students). Scroll down to read my blah-blah-blah!  :)

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SCRC doesn't claim to be easy or accommodating, but we love it just the same! We share our barn on the Fox River with an alpaca. Winter training takes place in a dusty, gas smelling, paint peeling, yet historic old factory. That dusty old factory, the Campana building, is now home to a new Erg World Record, held by my teammate Jack!! SCRC is a group of fighters.  They will always be my people.

I got on an erg & it changed my life, but it was that 1^st basketball steal in the 3^rd grade that had me hooked on competitive sports. My coach (normally a football/track coach) went nuts with excitement so I wanted to keep making him happy. It is not surprising to me that “coach” was named one of the Chicago Bears High School head football coaches.  He also won 2 high school state football championships within 4 years.  He seems to hold the key for developing players’ skills, knowledge, character, leadership and especially teamwork abilities.  Inspired, I became part of every sport I had time for.  I especially loved a summer basketball travel league we call #tilmongirls.  I would get butterflies, just driving to practice from the anticipation & excitement.  It was through this coach I learned the true love of team sports. He taught us the importance of physical condition, honesty, discipline and how each individual effects each other.  I still draw upon these early influences for every sporting contest I take part in and coach. My dream is to be one of these inspiring people one day.

In addition to my participation in basketball, I was a multi-sport student-athlete with Batavia High School (basketball, softball, volleyball).  Now I row.  Being part of Crew has transformed my whole existence.  I attended a college mini-camp at UW-Madison, LOVED it and joined St. Charles Rowing Club that same week.   "Get in a boat - it will change your life!"  Besides, what other rowing club can you hang out with 2 alpacas every day?!?

Being outside on the water, supporting my teammates, driving for a better time each time out is pure joy.  I am thankful for each and every day I get on the water.  I am so happy I took the chance to try rowing.  I never get tired of saying, "I found my people!"

In my spare time, I enjoy helping kids with special needs, peer leadership, reading, music and digital video editing.  I have an extreme love of the Chicago Cubs!  I also coach & ref youth basketball (employee of Batavia Park District) and I love it more than I like playing it! I think coaching and dealing with parents helps me develop as a person on and off the court.  One of the highlights this year involved me volunteering for the Department of Defense Warrior Games, in Chicago.  What an honor to meet all those real-life heroes - showing us all how to never ever quit!  We even made a "cameo" TV spot on the 2017 ESPY awards while helping at the Warrior Games.

Academically, I am seeking a University that is on the forefront of an education process that helps the world understand that there is always more than one way of seeing and of making sense of the world.  A slight change of perspective and weaknesses are suddenly seen as strengths.  A person who appears a little different or “abnormal” may have gifts that those around them don't yet fully understand or notice.  I notice.  I know first-hand what it feels like to be in a learning environment not quite suited for all needs.  In my future, I wish to help those around me to succeed on an "un-even" playing field. I want to work with special needs students as an adaptive P.E. educator one day.  I am excited to be a part of the generation that helps to rid the world of “normal” stereotypes.  I enjoy interacting with and helping people, and want to pursue a career in education that will enable me to do just that.