This past school year, Sky Brown’s family firmly supported her as she defended the crease in two sports.
The daughter of Orville and Kim Brown played her fourth and final hockey season for the University of Wisconsin-Superior women’s hockey team. In addition, the goalie joined her school’s women’s soccer squad when it needed another goalkeeper.
“I received a lot of support from friends and family sending encouraging texts throughout the years but the most support I got was from my family,” Brown said.
“My parents were always supportive and encouraging throughout my athletic career, starting with them supporting my choice of being a two-sport student athlete in my senior year. … They watched my games online and made a few trips down to watch me play and were always sending me a text after the games.
“I don't know where I would be without the support I have received.”
On the ice, Brown wrapped up a strong career for the Yellowjackets by earning All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honours. She had earned All-WIAC Honourable Mention in 2016.
“To be named all-conference was an honour,” she said. “It was one of the goals I had set before the season started and to be able to achieve it was exciting.”
Brown started every game for the Yellowjackets. She led the conference in saves with an average of 24.48 per game and was second in wins (14) and minutes (1,630:01). She earned two shutouts. On the season, she had a 2.72 goals-against average.
MVP
“Simply put, she was our most valuable player and that leaves big shoes to fill,” Yellowjackets head coach Dan Laughlinsaid. “Every hockey coach knows the importance of consistent goaltending and that is what Sky gave us all season long. She played every minute for us and kept her mental toughness through the ups and downs.”
Brown has plenty of good memories of her college hockey career, which began at Castleton State University in Vermont. During that first year, she transferred to Wisconsin.
“There were a lot of good memories throughout the years from beating rival teams, pushing the bus out when we got stuck, to meeting my teammate that became family,” Brown said.
Soccer, too
Brown, who has graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, also enjoyed her first and only season in net for the UW-Superior women’s soccer team.
“What I was most impressed with was Sky’s fearlessness in goal,” head coach Allison DeGroot said. “She would put herself in front of any situation to prevent a goal.
“As an individual, I was impressed with her ability to hold her teammates to high standards of mutual respect and truly caring for one another. Not only did Sky help make our roster deeper, not only did she make some key saves in games for us, Sky made us a better team and a better community and for that I will always be grateful.”
Brown will be remembered at UW-Superior for the way she defended the Yellowjackets’ net and much more.
“She was a great teammate, student and represented our university at the highest level,” Laughlin said. “With Sky graduating it leaves a big hole to fill, but also sets the bar where our goaltending needs to continue.”
