April 17, 2007

Northern Illinois University's Kelly Park is one of two seniors on this year's softball team, A two-time winner of the Heidi Hutchison Award for Sportswoman of the Year, she is batting .260 with six doubles, a triple and eight runs batted in. She has started all 35 games in centerfield for the Huskies this season.

Why did you decide to come to NIU to play softball?

"First of all, it is close to home. It's only about half an hour trip from Aurora where I am from, and coach Martin showed some interest in me, and so I am here. I didn't really have any other places to choose from."

What do you enjoy most about being an athlete here at NIU?

"The team. We get along really well. Great chemistry, have a lot of fun on and off the field."

What is the toughest part about being an athlete here?

"Probably just juggling between practice, class, with conditioning and all that; time management stuff."

What is your most memorable moment here in your four years?

"Probably, making it to the MAC Tournament last year. My first two years here we didn't make it, so finally getting down there and participating in that and winning a game at the MAC was really good.

What is your favorite road trip while at Northern?

"Probably, Florida. We go down there every spring break and it is always gorgeous out there and it is good to get away from the snow, winter and cold. We go to Clearwater on the Gulf side."

If you could accomplish just one thing at Northern what would it be and why?

" To make a name for myself. Leave here and have people talk about how well I was able to juggle classes, school, and practice."

To be a role model almost for future athletes?

"Yeah."

How do you prepare for a big game? What goes through your mind right before the game starts?

"A lot of things go through my mind. They are usually different, but mainly to have that winning feeling before we actually play, to have confidence."

Right before you step into the box or right before the first pitch on the field what do you think? Do you clear your mind or what do you do right before?

"Yeah, I try not to think about anything. What I usually struggle with is thinking about my form, or thinking about what the pitcher is throwing, or thinking about what the umpire's strike zone and just trying to not let any of that bothering me."

Who has been the biggest inspiration in your career?

"Probably, just the professional league. Overall, just wanting to go to that next level."

Just the existence of the pro league?

"Yeah, exactly."

How is being a student athlete at NIU helped or changed you?

"I was usually pretty quiet in high school. I didn't have too many friends in high school, but now I am more outgoing and it is a lot easier when you have a team."

They are like a good support group?

"Yeah."

What is your favorite class and what is your least favorite class?

"My favorite class would be sport education. I am a physical education major and we do a lot of sports-type, team sports things in that class and we get to participate. My worst would probably half to be anatomy."

What is your favorite activity outside of sports and why?

"I don't really know? Probably, shopping."

Where is your favorite place to eat in DeKalb and why?

"Chipotle. I probably go there two to three times to week. I love Mexican food."

If you could have dinner with a person in history who would it be and why?

"Michael Jordan. He was a great athlete, and I would just like to see what went through his mind during games."

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be and why?

"Not Your Average Walk in a Park: My Life at the Park"

Why would you pick that title?

"It just sounds cool. Everyone is different. It is my book and my own thing. I am different from other people."

Who would play you in a movie about your life?

" Probably Sandra Bullock. My mom told me that, because I am a huge tomboy."

Complete the following statements:

The song I can't stop listening to right now is:

"OAR, Love and Memory. It is on my warm up CD."

I am the video game champion of:

"Mario Cart. I am not into the killing games. You can play it and be done, yeah, you want to play it more, but you don't have to keep making it to the next round. It also doesn't involve a lot of thinking."

TV show I can't stop watching now is:

"Grey's Anatomy. I finished watching season 1 and 2 about a month ago. My roommate and I sat and watched it for like two weeks."

My favorite all time movie is:

"Finding Nemo"

Funniest thing that has ever happened to me:

"I can't think of anything really funny. I walked out from my high school basketball game in the wrong uniform and didn't realize it until everyone kept laughing at me. Or when, I play basketball with our trainer now, Nikki Pieart. They always try to give me swirlies. That was when I was a freshman and she was a senior. I was in the bathroom washing my hands once and had soap in my hands, and they ran into the bathroom and grabbed me, and I just had the soap in my hands, so I just smeared it all over Nikki's face. So I got away."

The words I try to live by are:

"Live in the moment."