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When MyKenzie Leccia first reached out to University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellowjackets softball coach Melissa Fracker, she accidentally addressed her by the wrong last name.
What could have been an awkward dead end instead became the start of a collegiate journey defined by connection, opportunity and success.
“She told me I had the wrong last name,” Leccia confessed, “but she also said she’d still love to talk to me and learn more about me.”
That openness led to a campus visit – and once Leccia arrived in Superior, she knew she had found the right place.
“I loved the campus,” she said. “And honestly, the views from Swenson Hall were a big thing for me.”
A Lifelong Love for Sports
A Wisconsin native from Somerset, just outside the Twin Cities, Leccia grew up immersed in athletics. She began playing softball as soon as she could hold a bat, progressing from T-ball to machine pitch to fast-pitch before eventually joining club softball for more competitive experience.
Basketball soon followed. Leccia started organized play in third grade after spending her early years as a Shooting Star, performing at halftime of varsity games.
By the time she reached 14U softball, Leccia knew she wanted to compete at the collegiate level — and she didn’t want to choose between sports. UW-Superior made that possible.
“The athletic success here really stood out,” she said. “And once I looked at academics, it clicked.”
Finding the Right Academic Fit
Leccia, who is set to graduate summa cum laude on May 16, chose to major in exercise science, pairing it with minors in coaching and sport and recreation management (now a major). The combination aligns directly with her long-term goal of becoming a college coach and staying connected to athletics beyond her playing days.
“I love learning how the body moves, how muscles work and how to take care of your body,” Leccia said. “It’s helped me not just academically, but as an athlete, too.”
Balancing a demanding academic schedule while competing as a two-sport athlete is no small task, but Leccia credits her background as a three-sport high school athlete for developing the time-management skills she relies on today.
While her first year was challenging, she hit her stride as an upperclassman by staying organized, communicating proactively and prioritizing rest.
“Communication has been the biggest thing,” she said. “Especially with travel and weather changes during softball season, I’m always talking with my professors.”
She credits UW-Superior faculty for their flexibility and support, regularly attending office hours to stay on track.
Leccia spoke highly of the Health and Human Performance Department faculty, giving special recognition to instructor Sydny VanderVeen for her organization and teaching style, as well as Amy LaRue, Kim Lebard-Rankila and others who help shape the program.
“They really know what they’re talking about and run the program so well,” she said.
Memorable Moments on the Court and Field
As a student-athlete, Leccia has experienced some of the program’s highest highs, including UMAC tournament runs in both basketball and softball and an NCAA Tournament appearance in basketball last season.
Those postseason moments stand out not just for their intensity, but for the camaraderie they create.
“UMAC tournaments are just different,” she said. “It’s do or die. That’s the most competitive and memorable part of the season.”
Some of her favorite memories are a little less conventional – like the basketball team bus getting stuck in a ditch on the way to Crown College – but those moments, she said, are just as unforgettable.
A Behind-the-Scenes Perspective
In her final year, Leccia gained a new appreciation for what it takes to run an athletic department, working behind the scenes with Niya Wilson, athletics business operations and compliance manager, and Athletics Director Nick Bursik.
“I didn’t realize how much work goes on behind the scenes,” she said. “It’s given me a whole new appreciation for how everything runs.”
As she prepares for life after UW-Superior, Leccia feels confident her education has prepared her well – whether she ends up coaching, running a club program or managing athletic operations. Understanding kinesiology, human movement and athlete wellness, she said, is essential to being an effective leader in sports.
Looking Back – and Ahead
When asked what advice she would give her 18-year-old self on the first day of college, her answer was simple.
“Go to UW-Superior,” she said. “I’ve made so many long-lasting relationships and friendships here. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”
She also expressed gratitude to those who helped make her journey possible – from coaches like Fracker and basketball coach Eveline Parsons, who honored the present while building for the future, to her biggest supporters at home.
“Thanks to my mom and dad for always supporting me,” Leccia said.