Oct. 28, 2010

Rebecca Feickert (women's basketball, 2007-09)

Feickert was an Academic All-Big 12 First Team player under head coach Bonnie Henrickson. She saw action in 20 career games. Feickert scored a career high eight points versus San Jose State and also grabbed a career-best four rebounds versus SJSU. She finished her undergraduate degree in three years in Accounting and went onto obtain her masters in Accounting all under the age of 22. Feickert is currently working for Ernst and Young in New York City as a staff accountant in the Tax Department of the Financial Services Offices. She currently resides in New York and is working on finishing up the last part of the CPA Test to become a Certified Public Accountant.

What have you been doing since you finished your playing career?

"I completed my Master's in Accounting at the KU School of Business while working in KU Athletics as a Graduate Assistant.  During the program, I was part of a team responsible for developing high school financial literacy curriculum for the State of Kansas.  I have also been taking the CPA, and will sit for my fourth and final test this Friday, actually! Finally, I worked in Student-Athlete Financial Aid, and it was a great experience for me.  When I was a student-athlete, I never realized how many people were behind the scenes making sure everything runs smoothly.  It was great to see things from another perspective, and just made me appreciate the Kansas Athletics staff even more for their commitment to student-athletes."

What inspired you to start playing basketball?

"I grew up across the street from the city park.  I would always sit on the swings as a kid and watch the older boys play basketball.  As I grew older (and taller!) they allowed me to play too, and I fell in love with the game from there."

What led you to choosing KU?

"I wanted the best mix of academics and athletics and KU seemed like the best fit.  On my official visit I really felt like I clicked with the team and the coaching staff.  Lawrence is such a great town.  It's close to Kansas City, but it still has a small-town feel."

What was your favorite memory from KU?

"My favorite memory was the WNIT Championship game in 2009. The atmosphere and the support we got from our fans packing the Fieldhouse with 16,300+ is something I will never forget." 

Growing up, who/what inspired you to play basketball?

"I am from a small town of less than 200 people, so there wasn't much to do besides school and athletics.  Both of my sisters also played basketball, so naturally I wanted to be just like them.  Basketball was my outlet in high school.  It was how I relieved stress, it was how I celebrated.  It was everything to me."

Has basketball taught you any life lessons?

"Definitely!  Basketball has taught me so much about being competitive, demonstrating leadership and being a team player.  There is something to be said about the bond between teammates.  That feeling of winning as a team and being part of something bigger than yourself is unlike anything I've ever experienced.  Basketball taught me that life isn't always fair, but that regardless of the outlook you can't ever give up and give in.  Finally, basketball taught me about being a professional and remaining committed to something you care about, even on the days you could care less."   

You maintained a 4.0 G.P.A throughout your entire undergraduate career. What was your experience like playing, being a part of a team and balancing school?

"It was really tough at times.  Being a student-athlete requires great time management skills and a strong will to follow through on your commitments and goals.  It helped a lot to know that a lot of my teammates and student-athlete friends were experiencing the same difficulties.  I couldn't have done it without the support of my friends and family."

You went from a graduating class of two people at Goodrich High School to living in a city larger than the entire population of North Dakota. What has your experience been like since moving to New York City? 

"It's been a whirlwind to say the least!  It's crazy to think that there are more people in my conference room than there were in my high school.  Then again moving to Kansas was also a big adjustment, and it turned out to be the best decision I ever made.  I am managing the transition okay, but it's a big change and has forced me to stretch out of my comfort zone even more.  So far I love the energy of the city, and I've met a lot of great people."

How has the transition been from living in Lawrence to living in New York City?

"New York is such a unique place that it takes some time to get used to.  The hustle and bustle of the city is nice, but I also miss the slower pace of the Midwest.  It's like comparing apples and oranges, and I love them both!"

What is your everyday experience working for Ernst and Young?

"I am just starting to explore my work roles and become comfortable around my new team and coworkers.  The beginning has been a lot of training and meeting new people, but so far it's been a great experience.  I know it's going to be a challenging career and I'm looking forward to the opportunities it will provide.  It's hard to manage the transition to a new job and phase in my life on top the transition between Kansas and New York City, but I feel that I have the personal and professional resources to support me." 

 Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

"Right now I'm focused on fulfilling my current work responsibilities and exploring career paths I can take from here, which may involve law school at some point.  A CPA/JD is a great combination for the areas of tax I'm interested in.  So far I really like the city and can see myself here for awhile.  Then again, I'm always up for new adventures so I guess time will tell!"