Jan. 20, 2004
Purchase your Iowa women’s basketball tickets online
hawkeyesports.com visited recently with senior guard Kristi Faulkner from Glen Ellyn, IL. Here’s a piece of that conversation.
What do you plan on doing after graduation this spring?
“After this spring I still have to student teach in the fall. After student teaching, I would like to teach somewhere in the Midwest and hopefully stay involved in basketball through coaching or volunteering.”
What is your favorite basketball related memory in your career at Iowa?
“The first year I was at Iowa I had to redshirt, but I loved watching and feeling a part of the success that we experienced that year, including winning the Big Ten Tournament. Beating Penn State and Minnesota were big highlights from last year. This year, beating Illinois was a lot of fun and I am looking forward to many more memorable highlights this season.”
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“My biggest pet peeve is when Jamie Cavey and Jennie Lillis bully me around because I am just a little Faulker.”
Senior Kristi Faulkner
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If you could play in any arena in the world, where would it be and why?
“If I could play in any stadium or arena I would definitely play at Wrigley Field. I have always been a big Cubbies fan and when I was younger we would often go to Wrigley. Wrigley is a classic sports Mecca that has so much history and tradition. Also, I was able to play a game at the United Center (the Bulls Arena), which was a great experience and a big thrill.”
How do you unwind after a game?
“After games I always have to get a big hug from Joyce Lillis, Pam Cavey and Sonja (my mom). Otherwise, I always have trouble winding down after games. Playing and competing is such a natural high that it is hard to let down after a game. But if you win, there is no feeling like a good victory.”
When you were little what did you pretend to be?
“When I was little, I always pretended to be James Harriet the veterinarian. I don’t really know why, but I loved James Harriet. I also always pretended to be a professional football or baseball player.”
How would your teammates describe you?
“I asked Jennie Lillis and she said, ‘the quiet type’, but the ultimate competitor.”
You’re a Cub fan, so do you believe in the Curse of the Billy goat? Why or why not?
“Absolutely not. First of all, Coach Fitz doesn’t believe in superstitions so maybe she is wearing off on me. But really, the Cubbies have had some years in which they haven’t had great success and maybe some things have happened that are hard to explain, but next year, the Cubs will negate all speculation that they are cursed by winning the World Series (I hope).”
What impresses you most about Coach Bluder? What was your first impression when you met her?
“Coach Bluder is an exceptional person, leader, mentor, and basketball coach. She provides us as players with a positive role model who continually demonstrates loyalty, hard work, compassion and dedication. The first time I met coach Bluder I thought she was very genuine and sincere.”
What is your biggest pet peeve?
“My biggest pet peeve is when Jamie Cavey and Jennie Lillis bully me around because I am just a little Faulker. Also when someone is rude or inconsiderate to another and not looking someone in the eyes when they are talking.”
What is one thing that you cannot imagine your life without?
“Music.”