Pioneers Beyond the Numbers: Rachel Cropp

Written by Colten Bartholomew, UW-Platteville Sports Informaton Intern

Rachel Cropp, a 5-foot, 6-inch guard from Verona, has been one of the many standout performers on this year's Pioneer women's basketball team.

Cropp has started all 22 games this season for head coach Megan Wilson's squad, providing leadership and stability at the guard position. Cropp is averaging 11.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals.

Full name: Rachel Cropp

Nicknames: Cropp, Croppy

Major: Middle School Education

Family members: Mom, Gretchen, Dad, Gene, and sister Jaclyn (24)

Campus activities (outside of basketball): I love volunteering with a fifth grade class at Platteville Middle School.  I love hanging out with my friends and going to all the athletic events.

Favorites:
         Athlete: Alex Morgan
         Movie: "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days"
         TV show: "The Bachelor," "Law and Order: SVU," and "NCIS: LA"
         Sports team: Green Bay Packers
         Food: Anything with chocolate!
         Band/Song: Florida Georgia Line
         Place on campus: The team locker room
         Cartoon character: Goofy
         Vacation spot: Mexico
         Sport besides basketball: Soccer
         Superhero: Batman
         Hobby: Scrapbooking
        
What are three words that describe you?

Big-hearted, determined, stubborn.

This is your first full season as a starter at UW-P, what's that been like for you?

It's been exciting. I worked really hard this summer and it feels good to be in the starting lineup.

You're leading the team with 33 steals, what do you do on defense that makes you so effective?

I think I work really hard on defense to get myself to the right place at the right time, so I think I'm affective because I'm where I'm supposed to be when I'm supposed to be there.

You do volunteer work at a fifth grade class in Platteville. How did that start and what do you enjoy about that?

(My volunteer work) started as a part of a class that I'm taking, and we had to do service hours. When the class ended, I just continued to volunteer with them. I like it because of the kids; they're great. The teacher is great too, she gives me a lot of good advice. It's fun to work with the kids and I get them on my own sometimes. It's a good experience because I want to be a teacher.

Who is your inspiration in school/sports?

I would have to say my parents. They've worked hard their whole lives, they got through college and they have a successful life. I think they have inspired me to be as determined as I am and motivated as I am to get through school and do as well as I can in school and in basketball.

Something you have learned about yourself while you've been in college:

I am definitely more independent than I thought I was. I love doing things on my own, and I think that drive came from my parents. They've made me the person that I am.

Something that few people know about you:

I can make a three-leaf clover with my tongue.