Indiana University Athletics
Get to Know Katrina Craven
10/20/2006 12:00:00 AM | Spirit Squad
Oct. 20, 2006
Indiana junior Katrina Craven is a member of the Cream cheerleading squad for the 2006-07 season. A native of Middlebury, Ind., Craven sat down with IUHOOSIERS.com for 10 questions so IU fans can get to know a little more about her.
Teammate or coach I admire the most:
"I admire our head coach, Julie Clements, for so many reasons. Cheerleading is the kind of sport where its participants can get swept away in issues that don't matter and forget the purpose they serve as cheerleaders. Julie teaches us that we are ambassadors to the university and number one fans of the university's athletics. She also reminds us that we are a recognizable group even when we aren't in uniform, meaning that we must behave appropriately on and off the court. Julie is a great demonstration, especially to the girls in the program, of how to be a lady and represent the program and the school. The lessons she teaches us in practice and at games will place us ahead of the pack when we enter the "real world".
Favorite quote:
"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." -E.E. Cummings "College can get stressful, both academically and socially. This quote is so great because it reminds you that no matter what is happening in your life, you still have to laugh. You'll get through whatever comes your way."
Most memorable IU athletics moment:
"The Duke game last year was amazing. The entire student body wore white for the "white out" and everyone was so hyped for the game. I have never seen Assembly Hall so excited about a game. The crowd was responsive to our cheers, supportive of the players and proud to be part of Indiana. The game was so close and the fans were so into it that it made the entire experience so memorable. The support and pride of the fans was definitely something to be proud of."
Other than cheerleading, what IU sport would you play:
"I've always wanted to play tennis. I'm terrible at tennis, but I love the game and the intensity of the athletes."
Favorite place on campus:
"I love the Union. You can go in the Union at any time of any day and see students doing so many different activities from studying to eating and hanging out to bowling. No matter which student you would ask on this campus, everyone has been to the Union and has some memory to share about it."
What is your major:
"I'm majoring in Journalism. I chose this as my major because I really admire the way events and stories can be shared using words. Writing is like art and involves creativity, passion and discipline. Journalism is crucial in today's society for broadcasting the world's events to the entire country, whether through magazines, newspapers or television."
Place I would most like to travel to:
"I would love to go anywhere in Europe. Last summer, I traveled to South Korea and really learned a lot about Asian culture and ways of life, which really opened my eyes to the realm of beliefs and customs that people in different parts of the world are accustomed to. Americans often forget that the American way of thinking is far different than anywhere else in the world. I want to go to Europe to continue to broaden my way of thinking, and experience a larger variety of language, cultures and traditions.
Favorite aspect of cheerleading:
"Cheering games are definitely my favorite part of cheerleading. There is no greater feeling than standing in front of thousands of your university's fans and watching them get into the game, knowing that you're such a huge part of creating that environment. Games provide such a rush of pride for Indiana not only for its athletics but for its traditions. The feelings that I experience during a men's basketball game in Assembly Hall cannot possibly be summed up in a few short sentences, but it's incredible."
Most prized possession:
"My most prized possession is a cross necklace my foster mother gave me this past summer when I reunited with her for the first time since I was three months old. She gave me the cross and told me how important her faith was to her, and that she had prayed for me every single day of my life in hopes that I too would find the same faith she had. She gave me the cross as a visible, daily reminder of our religion and what it means to be a Christian."
What makes Indiana cheerleading special:
"Indiana cheerleading is so different from other schools in that we are like one big family. There isn't any competition between the Crimson and Cream squads and the coaches treat us as complete equals. We're there for each other in practice, at games and in everyday life, and we all work toward representing Indiana in the best way we know how."
