KRISTINE
AUSTGULEN SPOTLIGHT12-6-02
The term 'student-athlete' is a politically correct, generic descriptor for college athletes that at times is followed by snickering or a sarcastic roll of the eyes. In some cases, it is assumed that some student-athletes are mainly athletes who take light academic loads to focus on their sport. In other cases, student-athletes carry gaudy grade-point averages but rarely leave the bench during games. As a former voter for the Verizon Academic All-America teams, it was common to come across nominees with credentials like this: GPA: 3.97 in physics; Games played: 7; Points per game: 0.8.
Right here at VCU, we have the poster child for what 'student-athlete' means in its purest, idyllic sense. Among the numerous Academic All-Americans who have attended VCU is women's basketball player Kristine Austgulen (Bergen, Norway/Fana Gymnas), who not only is a two-time Academic All-American but who will finish her career as one of the best women's basketball players to ever wear the black and gold. With another good season, Austgulen should move into second all-time in points and rebounds, and also take over the lead in career free throws made. After making the CAA All-Rookie team as a freshman, Austgulen emerged as one of the top players in the conference during her sophomore season, averaging 14.1 points and 6.0 rebounds a game to earn All-CAA second team honors. Last season, she posted career highs of 15.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game en route to being selected to the All-CAA first team.
On top of all of this success on the court, Austgulen has maintained a perfect GPA of 4.0 in political science, an accomplishment few students can match even without having to go to practice, travel to road games or lift weights throughout the year. For her success in school and in basketball, Austgulen was named a third-team Academic All-American after her sophomore season, and a first team member after last season. With just five members on each team, Austgulen has been one of 15 women's basketball players in the country recognized for academic and athletic achievement. And she has received the honor twice.
"It's the biggest honor I have ever gotten in my life," Austgulen says of being named an Academic All-American. "I feel extremely humbled and privileged. It means a lot to me since I've put so much into school. Combining basketball and school is the hardest thing I've ever done."
What is ironic about Austgulen's success is that athletics and academics are not tied together in her native Norway as they are in the United States. "I have to have two separate focuses in order to do well in both," she said. "You need to have the same discipline in both school and basketball. Having the background of keeping school and sports separate [in Norway] helped me focus on one thing and put my effort into each thing individually."
Austgulen attributes her impressive academic and athletic record to a characteristic she has displayed since first arriving at VCU. "One word: Discipline," she said. "Coaches demand discipline of you as a player and the tasks you have to do. I apply the same discipline to academics. I don't consider myself the smartest person or the greatest athlete, but someone who works hard. Success has to do with the work you put into it."
This season, it appears Austgulen will have to work even harder on the court, as she will be playing with a new point guard for the first time in her career at VCU. With the departure of two-time All-CAA first team selection Rochelle Luckett, not only must Austgulen play with an underclassmen at the point, but she now becomes the undisputed go-to player in the Rams' lineup. "This year there is definitely an inexperience factor," she said. "We're trying to find our chemistry on a daily basis. It's frustrating at times, since we're used to having someone there who knows the system. I just do whatever I can do to help the new players.
"If other teams focus on me, it's a good thing. We have people that can really shoot, and if other teams double-team me, that leaves someone open for us. I'm confident other people will step up. I'll just continue to play hard and do the other things to help us win if the scoring is not there."
As for life after VCU, Austgulen plans on attending graduate school to obtain a Master's Degree in international affairs and has applied to eight schools on the East Coast. Eventually she would like to earn her doctorate. But wherever she ends up, be it the United Nations or a foreign embassy, Austgulen knows basketball will always remain a part of her life. While some athletes look forward to the day they no longer have two-a-day practices and long workout sessions, Austgulen takes a different point of view.
"[After my career is over] I'll be in the gym and weight room all the time," she admitted. "When I can go work out on my own, that's the best. I look forward to taking it back to the pure joy of playing. I still have a love and passion for the game and that'll always be with me."