Part 1 of the 'Four Frosh' Series

Heather Oesterle - From the family barn to Crisler Arena

Behind most successful athletes lie supportive families - you know, the kind that go to all the games and cheer even when the team is losing badly. Heather Oesterle's family takes the adjective to a new level.

The family's basketball ties date back nearly two generations to the days when Oesterle's father used to play in a barn on the family farm. The present generation of players got their basketball starts in much the same way.

"My dad had four brothers and they all played basketball," said Oesterle, who is a 6-foot freshman on the Michigan women's basketball team. "My grandpa built a barn and put a hoop in it. When we were young my dad taught my sisters and I how to play.

"When we got older my grandpa built us a barn and put a full-size court with one hoop in it. It was heated too, so we could play in the winter."

Because of the convenience of the facility, many days after school Oesterle would come home from basketball practice and shoot around some more.

Apparently, the practice paid off.

Coming out of Mason high school, Oesterle, a guard, was one of the most highly touted players in the state of Michigan. She was twice named to the Detroit Free Press all-state first team for girl's basketball and was named the Lansing State Journal's player of the year.

But the motivation to get better was under the same roof.

"My older sister was really good," Oesterle said. "When we were younger we all used to play 2-on-2 with my dad. But she blew out her knee her senior year of high school."

However, there is one thing Oesterle doesn't share with her family. Having grown up on a beef cattle farm in suburban Lansing, Oesterle was raised as a Spartan fan. In fact, her family remains Spartan faithful.

"Everyone in my family is a State fan," Oesterle said. "I knew they kind of wanted me to go there. But they've changed a little bit. There going to root for Michigan women's basketball, but in every other sport they're still going to root for MSU."

But Oesterle assures that her loyalties have changed.

Though Oesterle was greatly influenced by her family, this Thanksgiving is one holiday she won't be spending with them.

Oesterle and her teammates will be in Cancun for the Torneo Cancun de Basquetbol.

"I'm really excited about the trip," Oesterle said. "I went to Cancun for spring break in high school, and I loved it. It should be a lot of fun to go with the team."

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Until recently, women's basketball was regarded primarily as a collegiate sport - especially within the United States. But with the inauguration of the WNBA and the recent public interest in women's sports, the future is promising for talented players.

Oesterle is no exception. She, like many others, dreams of playing one day in the premier women's league in the world.

"I'm going to see how it goes," Oesterle said. "It'd be a dream to play in the WNBA, but if it doesn't happen, I'm sure I'll find something else to do. The WNBA is great because we have more fans now. People are more interested in women's basketball and it's helped women's sports overall."

If her WNBA dreams are not realized, Oesterle - a student in the Division of Kinesiology - would like to be a strength and conditioning coach for a college team.

But for the time being, Oesterle is focused on contributing to Michigan. In high school, she played all five positions on the court. Her versatility could make her a major threat in the college game.

"Heather really could go the 1, 2, 3 or 4," Michigan coach Sue Guevara said. "But I'll tell you something, Heather Oesterle can pass the ball. She can thread the needle just as well as (junior guard) Anne Thorius. I would say that Oesterle is the second-best passer on this team. She's also another one who can shoot the three."

But though she hopes to make a statement at Michigan, Oesterle has not set any specific personal goals as yet.

"I don't know what to expect," Oesterle said. "I'm just having a lot of fun playing."

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The midwestern farmer is known for work ethic and strength. A day in the life of a farmer begins at the crack of dawn and ends long after the sun sets. Though by her own admission Oesterle didn't have much of an impact on the family farm growing up, Guevara believes that Oesterle's upbringing will affect her performance.

"She comes from Mason, her family owns a lot of acres," Guevara said. "She's a farm girl and she's a strong girl. She can shoot - I just have to get her to."

Oesterle returned the compliment, crediting Guevara and her coaching style in her decision to attend Michigan. So far, she has no regrets.

"I really love it here," Oesterle said. "I'm having a lot of fun and everyone's really cool."

Even though the barn she plays in now is just a little bit bigger, she knows the game is still the same.

DAVID ROCHKIND/Daily

Michigan guard Heather Oesterle grew up around basketball. She and her fellow classmates look to help the Wolverines return to the NCAA tournament.

11-16-98