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Junior Travis Thompson is a business administration major from Highland, Maryland, and a pitcher for the Blugold baseball team. As a student staff member in Recreation and Sport Operations, Thompson works to make sure that all Blugolds have the best possible experience in club or intramural sports.

“Whether a student is out there to just have fun, get some exercise, head-spike a ball for the heck of it, or even just make some new friends — it’s a way to chill, shake off the stress of classes and concentrate on fun for a while,” Thompson says.

Thompson has served as a sports official in games, a sports supervisor for leagues and now as competitive sports program assistant in Recreation and Sport Operations. He also has taken on the additional responsibility of representing UW-Eau Claire with the Wisconsin Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (WIRSA). For the upcoming academic year, Thompson will be the state representative for the national level of the same association.

“The work can sometimes be unexciting things like policies and rules, but it’s still interesting to work with all the representatives to advocate for improvements and expanded opportunities at the campus and regional levels,” Thompson says.

“We all push for a productivity level that makes each campus able to maximize its programming,” he says.

Karlie Stefonik, Thompson’s supervisor in Recreation and Sport Operations, says it has been rewarding to see him develop as a professional and succeed in his goals for the programs.

“Travis takes advantage of opportunities to build his professional network, share and gain new ideas for programming, and practice business communication skills. His networking at WIRSA just landed him an internship in youth camps at UW-Madison's Recreation & Wellbeing department this summer. We’re very proud of Travis’s contributions,” Stefonik says.

Learn more about Thompson’s Blugold story

We caught up with Thompson recently to learn a little more about his time as a Blugold.

What made you choose UW-Eau Claire?

When I was looking for a college, I knew I wanted to go someplace where I could play baseball. During this process, I joined my mom on a tour of her alma mater and that is when I first saw ����Vlog. It was the campus and student size I was interested in and had a very welcoming community. When I looked into the baseball team, I knew I could compete at this level and met with the coach to make attending ����Vlog a reality.

How did you choose your major? Tell us about your path.

I came into college as a pre-nursing major with the desire to become a pediatric nurse. After taking Bio 214 during my freshman baseball season, I quickly learned that it wasn’t for me. I knew I had a passion for sports and working in the recreation department strengthened that. I understand that a sports management degree will soon be offered at ����Vlog, but in lieu of that option, I combined a major in business administration and a minor in the science of coaching to kind of create my own sports management experience.

Being a student-athlete, working in recreation, and studying sport and business has helped me connect each aspect of my experience at Eau Claire.

What do you hope to do next after you graduate?

Currently I am planning to find a graduate assistant position in recreation. These positions are offered all over the country across different levels. I’d love to use those two years of graduate school to experience a new part of the country. Places like the West Coast or southwest region of the country interest me. I’m not too sure yet what degree I would be pursuing, but I am looking into a master’s in higher education, sports management, or parks and recreation.

What is something that surprised you about ����Vlog?

The biggest surprise for me was the connection between the university and the city. I always had this idea that there would be a line in the sand between student and university events, and the city and community space. Since being here, I have learned that university events are community events and the community encourages students to join the experience. The university and community are very intertwined and work with each other in all aspects of day-to-day activities.

What experiences have made you most grateful for choosing ����Vlog?

There are so many great experiences I have had at ����Vlog. Some have been huge commitments like being on the baseball team, and some are little things like Friday night dinner with some friends. My favorite of them all was getting to join our recreation faculty and staff on a trip to our WIRSA conference in Green Bay. We got to tour the Packers stadium, meet recreation staff from across the state, and spend the weekend learning and teaching the great things about our school’s program. Not only was this a great professional experience and networking opportunity, but it was a chance for me to get out of my comfort zone and experience a world outside of my own.

Describe your perfect day off from classes — how and where would you spend it?

On off days I like to be productive early and be able to enjoy my afternoon. I typically would go to The Sonnentag in the morning to get some baseball work in and hit a lift. This gets the blood flowing and puts me in a good mood for the rest of the day. On most days off, my roommate and I will go out and grab some food together, whether it be something quick and easy like Chipotle or a little sit-down place like Olive Garden. My friends and I are all big sports fans so we typically would wrap up that day watching some UFC or college basketball games.

What’s your favorite hidden gem in the city of Eau Claire that every student should know about?

I have become a big fan of boba tea since coming to Eau Claire. A few friends introduced me to Star Cup downtown and it is the perfect spot to grab a special drink before a class or road trip. They have so many flavors and combos that I can try something new each time.

What is the most important thing you’ve learned about yourself since starting college?

Meeting people and networking is really just holding a conversation. My whole life I would describe myself as introverted and quiet. Coming halfway across the country by myself forced me to put myself out there and meet new people. Because of this I have learned how to better carry myself, speak with confidence and stay true to myself. There have been endless opportunities for me to put myself out there and many of those decisions have resulted in strong, meaningful relationships and experiences.

If you had the chance to answer a high school student asking why they should consider ����Vlog, what would you say?

There are so many opportunities both on and off campus here at ����Vlog. Some you may be comfortable with and many you have never experienced. The best part about that is that people love to involve you on their journey. Everyone is very welcoming and ready to introduce you to new things.