Throughout the 2020-2021 year, the Aurora University athletic department will highlight the senior student-athletes. The seniors will provide some insight to their time at AU while getting to know them as individuals they have grown into in their time as a Spartan.
Senior Spotlight: Julie Galauner (Women's Basketball)
Major:Â Parks and Recreation Leadership
Minor:Â Youth Sport Development
What are your plans after graduation? My plan after graduation is to pursue a career as a recreation coordinator planning athletic programs and special events at a local park district.
What is your most memorable/best academic experience at AU? My most memorable academic experience at AU was fall semester my junior year when my recreation class took a trip to George Williams College where we learned how to sail and also went kayaking on Geneva Lake. It was great to be able to travel off campus as a class and learn hands on.
What is your most memorable athletic moment at AU? My most memorable athletic moment at AU was either my sophomore year when we beat BU or my junior year when I became a member of the 1,000 point club. We were the underdogs going into that game against BU and it was a great feeling being able to come together as a team and take down our rival. I will also never forget the feeling when I scored my 1,000th point at AU. My teammates and coaching staff made that a night I will never forget.
Other than the sport(s) you play, what other sports activity are you good at? Other than basketball, I like to throw the football around with my brother.
Outside of sports, what is your favorite hobby or activity? Outside of sports, I really enjoy going on hikes, kayaking, and fishing. I've always loved the outdoors and traveling to new places to see what they have to offer.
What is your favorite meal in the cafeteria? My favorite meal in the cafeteria is definitely chicken nuggets and mac and cheese day.
What AU faculty or staff member had the greatest impact on you and why? Chris Wells who has been my professor as well as the head of the Parks and Recreation department has had a huge impact on me over the years. He always goes the extra mile for his students and has provided me with many opportunities to enhance my academic time here at AU. My head coach,Â
Ryan Rebsom, has also been a great mentor for me. He has always been there for me on and off the court. He's always pushed me to be a better basketball player and an even better person.
What do you enjoy most and least about practice? One thing that I always look forward to is getting to see my teammates and joking around with them every practice. Something I hate about practice is when we do 5 in 30s which is 5 baseline touches in 30 seconds. Coach Rebsom loves to make us run them at the end of practice.
Do you have any pregame rituals? One thing I always do is listen to music to get my head right before games. I also have to get on the court before the game and form shoot.
What advice would you give to underclassmen at AU? I would tell underclassmen to not be afraid to get out there, try new things, and make friends. I was very shy when I first came to AU, but once I started opening up, I became more comfortable and confident both on the court and in the classroom. It's important to be yourself and enjoy the time that you have while you're at AU because it goes by fast.
If you had to listen to one song on repeat forever, what would it be and why? I would listen to Another Day In Paradise by Quinn XCII. He is my favorite artist and this is my favorite song by him.
What is something that people may not know about you but should? People should know that I'm a huge Chicago Bulls and Bears fan.
If you could spend an hour each with three people (past or present), who would you choose and why?Â
Michael Scott/Steve Carell: I love The Office and I'd like to see if it was hard to play a character like Michael Scott and the difficultly of acting some of the scenes.
Derrick Rose: He's my favorite NBA player and I'd love to talk to him about his skill set as well as how hard it was to come back from his injuries.
Quinn XCII: He's my favorite singer and songwriter and I would love to know where his inspiration to write songs comes from.
