Tami Thronson Hrasky '90 excelled in both volleyball and track & field at Ripon College, while also contributing to the women's basketball team for two years. A two-time conference champion in the high jump, Hrasky also was named First Team All-Conference in each of her final two seasons on the volleyball court. She earned Ripon's prestigious Pickard Award for athletic ability, scholarship, character and College loyalty during her career, and was inducted into Ripon's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003.
"While most of my high school teammates ended their athletic careers at high school graduation, it was a gift to be able to continue participating in sports during college," Hrasky said. "Overall, I had many wonderful experiences at Ripon, but athletics was a significant part of that experience, and with it came many great memories and friendships."
A native of Blue Mounds, Wis., Hrasky's transition from High School as a first-generation college student was made easier thanks to legendary Ripon coach Elaine Coll, who coached Hrasky in all three of her sports.
"Coach Coll introduced me to Ripon College and she shared a genuine interest in me as a student-athlete. She helped me and my family navigate the college search process and without that engagement, I'm not sure I would have discovered Ripon," Hrasky recalled. "She was a great coach, cared about our success both on and off the court, and always worked to ensure that Ripon's women's teams had the same opportunities and offerings as the men's teams."
Hrasky's new environment was also eased by the friendships she made along the way, especially that first year she stepped foot on campus.
"As a first-year student arriving on campus in August for volleyball practice, there was an immediate comfort and connection in meeting my new teammates, which led to life-long friendships," Hrasky said. "I'm quite certain that I'd connect and easily fall into conversation with some of my teammates that I haven't seen since graduation because of the bond we shared. We really enjoyed playing the sport and pushing each other to excel."
After competing in all three sports as a freshman, Hrasky began to have a lot of success during her sophomore year. That season saw her capture the Midwest Conference Women's (MACW) Championship in both the indoor and outdoor high jump, clearing heights of 4-10 and 5-04, respectively. Both of those marks stood as school records for 25 years until they were broken by eventual Division-III National Champion Jenna Breaker '15. Hrasky also set a school record that season in the indoor 55-meter hurdles, which has since been broken.
"Tami spent a lot of time improving her techniques and it really paid off," Coll said. "Her ability to get off the ground for the high jump carried over to the volleyball court where she was known for her kill shots at the net."
That same year, Hrasky led Coll's volleyball team in hitting percentage (.160). She followed that up with a school-record 199 kills as a junior, which saw her earn the first of two consecutive First Team All-Conference selections. She also led the team in hitting percentage (.220) that season, while ranking third in blocks (62).
"Tami always made a difference on the court," Coll said. "One season, needing a win against Lake Forest to qualify for a spot in the championship tournament, Tami hit the ball so perfectly and so hard that it knocked the opposing player to the floor for game point, which was a sweet way to advance to the tournament."
Hrasky also played for Coll on the basketball court where she was a member of the team during her freshman and junior campaigns. In 37 career games, Hrasky scored 106 points (2.9 ppg) and pulled down 133 rebounds (3.6 rpg). Her finest season came as a junior when she averaged 4.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
"One of the strengths of Tami's game was based on her love of playing each sport and her desire to be competitive," Coll said. "In addition to that, she had confidence in her abilities and her positive attitude carried over to others and helped energize her teams."
After graduation, Hrasky remained at Ripon College, working as an Admission Counselor and later as Assistant Dean of Admission. She would then serve as Senior Associate Dean of Admission at fellow MWC school Grinnell College. Hrasky currently resides in Iowa City, Iowa with her husband Vin '92 and works as Senior Director for Recruitment and Enrollment Success Management for The College Board.
"I had such a terrific college experience that I've spent my career working for educational organizations, focusing on connecting high school students with colleges," said Hrasky.
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