Fourth-year guard Kaitlind Dutrizac is anything but an ordinary basketball player; she is the true definition of a student athlete focusing both on and off the court. She is currently in her second year in the travel and tourism program at Fanshawe and has big dreams for the future.

“I would love to play over in Europe, or even coach. I would also like to become a personal trainer,” she said.

A personal trainer would be a good career for Dutrizac because she is already used to leading by example. While at practice she is counted on by the coaches to show her teammates what needs to be done and how to take practice seriously.

“Kaitlind leads by example both on and off the court, the first-years really look up to her as a role model, and she does a great job as that,” said coach Matt White of his captain. She is a humble human being, and she loves basketball.

When asked about superstitions, she said, “I don't really have any, but when tip-off comes, it's game on, I don't even know who is in the stands. I just zone into the game and don't worry about the rest.”

Having a mainly new team this year and being the most experienced player, she has formed a special bond with a lot of the younger players. “They can approach me about anything really, be it school, basketball, personal. I have created a special bond with some of the newer girls on the team,” said Dutrizac.

“She has helped me make the transition from high school basketball to college basketball. She is a great and fun leader,” said firstyear player Phyna Lim.

Being a leader in practice is a big responsibility, and although Dutrizac said, “I'm not the most vocal leader in the room,” when it comes down to game prep, she is the first one to get the ladies back in line.

“She gives 110 per cent in every practice, and that is why she is a good leader and that is what we need from all the girls,” White said. When the coaches are busy doing something else, most teams would goof off and just mess around but having a leader like Dutrizac means there is no messing around until after the season is over.

Basketball is a sport that has a lot of running in it so it is only fitting that in her spare time she likes to run.

“I like to do marathons, 8km, 10km and one day I would like to run in the Boston Marathon.”