Scholar Stories: Hoogenraad Intrigued by Political Science, Science of Hitting
4/24/2019 10:00:00 AM | Softball, Features
Continuing the popular series that began in 2016-17, each Wednesday MGoBlue.com will highlight a Michigan student-athlete and their academic pursuits. These are our Scholar-Athlete Stories, presented by Prairie Farms.
By Steve Kornacki
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan right fielder Haley Hoogenraad enjoys discussing politics with softball teammate Lou Allan and head coach Carol Hutchins. She's a political science major and likes analyzing all the angles, but she isn't sure if she would ever run for public office.
"Political science to me is just something very interesting," said Hoogenraad. "I'm from Holland (Michigan), which is a completely different political area from Ann Arbor. So, it's interesting to look behind all of that. I bring up politics to my teammates and Hutch and my parents, too. And then I learn more and more from my political professors, who have more opinions. It helps you understand things better.
"But this summer I'm working on getting internships with a local police department -- and then next year trying to get an internship with either the U.S. Marshals or maybe the FBI. I haven't decided the route I want to go, but I don't think I want to work at the state or local level. I would like to do something broader (in scope). We'll see how it all works out."
Hoogenraad, a junior from Zeeland (Michigan) West High, was Academic All-Big Ten and won a University of Michigan Athletic Achievement award in 2018.
"Those mean a lot to me," said Hoogenraad. "It rewards all the hard work you put in both in school and softball."
She also broke into the starting lineup last season thanks to her superb defense and then proceeded to supply plenty of offensive pop by batting .289 with 23 runs batted in and 24 runs scored.
"I continued doing more and more and more," said Hoogenraad. "And, honestly, it was so exciting. You get all the 'firsts' with your first home run, first big hit and start at Alumni Field for the first time. It was just so fun.
"Now, when I get frustrated, I look back and think about how I just made last year so much fun. Everything was enjoyable. You had rough points, but remembering that I'm living the dream is important. It's what I wanted ever since coming to a Michigan softball game when I was 9. I come from a family of really big Michigan fans, and I'm getting to live the dream of playing for the team I've always loved. It's so cool."
Her father, Gerry, is from the Netherlands, and her mother, Rhonda, also has grandparents from that country. Haley and her father often speak in Dutch, and so she was asked for the translation of "Go Blue!"
"Gaan Blauw!" she said with a smile. "I text my dad in Dutch all the time and he loves it. And now my dad lives in Holland, Michigan. How much more Dutch can you get?"
Haley said her athleticism comes from her mother, who played basketball at Saginaw Valley State, 1986-90. Haley also was a two-time all-state basketball player, scoring more than 1,000 points, and finished fourth in 800 meters at the state track and field championships. She also briefly got into playing hockey and swimming.
"I always joke because my mom could still beat me in basketball when I was in high school," said Hooggenraad. "It's very competitive with my mom, and she's the big reason I got involved in sports. Mom ran marathons and triathlons. I'd even play catch with Mom.
"You could have the worst game and my dad is like, 'It's OK. You looked great.' My mom is pointing out what I could've done better. Dad didn't play sports and emigrated to Canada in his early 20s before moving to the U.S."
Hoogenraad said she's contacted the Dutch national softball team about playing in the Netherlands after graduation, and she could claim that citizenship in international competition.
Softball became her focus upon coming to Ann Arbor. And while she misses the other sports, Hoogenraad said it benefited her to be a multi-sport athlete.
"I loved basketball and I love running," said Hoogenraad. "I still love to run around the track here. The biggest thing I got from all of the sports was just being competitive and being able to just enjoy playing, rather than focusing so hard on softball."
She's batting .250 this season with two homers and 27 RBI, She credits Michigan assistant coach Bonnie Tholl for always throwing her extra batting practice and teaching the finer points of hitting.
"I'm focusing on being really mentally consistent this year on offense," said Hoogenraad. "I'll get four hits in a row and then strike out three times in a row. I get highs and lows and need to just trust in how hard I've worked to prepare to face each pitcher."
Defense remains her calling card.
"It's so exciting to take a hit away," said Hoogenraad. "When we played Arizona in Tampa at USF, we were in a tough inning, the bases were loaded (with two out), and a girl hit a foul ball that was going to land in the bullpen. I ran into the fence, leaned in and caught it, and kept them from scoring that inning.
"Everyone's so excited, and that is such a game-changer. It cuts their momentum. Later, I caught a ball in the right-center gap (with two runners on) and kept them from scoring again. I was 0-for-3 in that game, but being able to keep us in games with defense. ... You know, defense doesn't take a game off. Mom always says that defense wins games. I take a lot of pride in that."
Another personal highlight is "robbing a home run" at Florida State last season. Her top offensive moment was hitting a homer against Ohio State last season in the game that clinched the Big Ten championship at home.
"When you get between second and third on a homer is when you see Hutch (in the third base coaching box) and she's happy," said Hoogenraad. "She throws you the M&M, you run around third base, and then you get to go home and be all excited with your teammates.
"That's just cool. Something you'll always remember."
Hutchins reminds Haley of her mother.
"They're both all about tough love," said Hoogenraad. "It's the first thing that comes to mind when I think about either of them. If you fall just short, they are the first people to pick you up and say, 'I know you can do it. You can do better.' You can look at that as being tough or you can look at it as empowering you. You get that because she knows you can be better."
Haley has taken the challenges of her coaches, parents and teachers to become a success in every area. She takes direction, puts in the hard work, and gets results.
