WINONA, Minn - Emma Degen was a four-year member of the Winona State Women's Golf team. Degen earned her bachelor's degrees in Physical Education and School Health in 2011. She was named to the NSIC All-Academic Team in 2008-2009 and 2010-2011, which recognizes student-athletes within the conference who achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher. Degen is finishing her 10^th season as the Girls Head Golf Coach for Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, IL.
 
 
What was your favorite sports memory during your time at WSU?
Spring break trips with the team, team dinners and road trips.
 
What would you say is your greatest athletics and/or academic accomplishment during your time at WSU?
I was 1 of 2 students named as the Physical Education Student of the Year for my graduating class in 2011.
 
How has your WSU athletics experience been influential throughout your life?
I use a lot of what I learned during my time as a colligate athlete to help the student-athletes I coach navigate being successful in the classroom and on the course. I am also fortunate enough that some of my college teammates are still some of my best friends today.
 
Please share any recent professional or personal accomplishments.
Personal Accomplishments:

• Married my wife, Mae Flavin, in June 2022

Professional Accomplishments:

• 2023 SHAPE America Midwest District Adapted PE Teacher of the Year
• 2022 Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance Adapted PE Teacher of the Year
• 2019 Illinois High School Association 2A Girls Golf State Champions
• 2021 & 2022 Illinois High School Association 2A Girls Golf State Runners-Up

 
What is your current occupation, and what are your career goals?
I currently teach 6^th-8^th grade Physical Education at Twin Groves Middle School in Buffalo Grove, IL. My career goals are to help make a difference in providing quality physical education to all students.
 
What advice would you give to current WSU student-athletes?
Soak it all in- your time goes by way too fast. Get involved- especially in the things that interest you. There is no better time to explore who you are and what you want to do after college than right now.
 
Please include any additional information you would like to share.
Go Warriors!
 

 
If any current Warrior student-athletes are interested in connecting with Emma Degen, please reach out to your SAS team advisor to get her contact information.
 
If you are a Winona State student-athlete alum and would like to be featured in the Alumni Spotlight series, please fill out the Alumni Spotlight Questionnaire.