Katie Kotlowski, the two-time National Champion with the No. 1-ranked University of Wisconsin women’s hockey team, joined La Crosse Talk PM on Thursday.

The senior defensive player, who calls La Crosse her hometown, talks about playing on the ice on Wrigley Field last weekend, how she got started in hockey at the Green Island Ice Arena and what she does off the ice through volunteering.

Plus, you know, winning titles in 2021 and 2023, losing in the championship 1-0 last season, and who’s better: Badgers hockey or Wisconsin volleyball?

Kotlowski has started for the Badgers since she was a freshman. The Badgers (20-1-1) are ranked No. 1 in the nation and it’s not even close.

We start out talking about playing that game at Wrigley against No. 2 Ohio State, and also get into how she’s an advocate for mental health and what it’s like playing all five years on a team that always has national championship expectations.

La Crosse Talk PM airs weekdays at 5:06 p.m. Listen on the WIZM app, online here, or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all the podcasts here or subscribe to La Crosse Talk PM wherever you get your podcasts.

<a href="https://opendorse.com/profile/katie-kotlowski">Katie Kotlowski</a>, the two-time National Champion with the No. 1-ranked University of Wisconsin women&rsquo;s hockey team, joined La Crosse Talk PM on Thursday.
The senior defensive player, who calls La Crosse her hometown, talks about playing on the ice on Wrigley Field last weekend, how she got started in hockey at the Green Island Ice Arena and what she does off the ice through volunteering.
Plus, you know, winning titles in 2021 and 2023, losing in the championship 1-0 last season, and who&rsquo;s better: Badgers hockey or Wisconsin volleyball?
Kotlowski has started for the Badgers since she was a freshman. The Badgers (20-1-1) are ranked No. 1 in the nation and it&rsquo;s not even close.
We start out talking about playing that game at Wrigley against No. 2 Ohio State, and also get into how she&rsquo;s an advocate for mental health and what it&rsquo;s like playing all five years on a team that always has national championship expectations.
<hr>
La Crosse Talk PM airs weekdays at 5:06 p.m. Listen on the WIZM app,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lightningstream.com/Player.aspx?call=WIZM-AM">online here</a>, or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/la-crosse-talk-pm-with-rick-solem/">podcasts here</a>&nbsp;or subscribe to La Crosse Talk PM wherever you get your podcasts.

Listener conversations about the days events in and around the La Crosse area.  Weekdays from 5-6pm on WIZM 1410AM and 92.3FM

La Crosse Talk PM WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

Rick Solem talks about the days events in and around the La Crosse area. Weekdays from 5:07-6pm on 1410 WIZM

WIZM - La Crosse

Two-time NCAA champ, La Crosse's Katie Kotlowski, on her Badgers women's hockey career

Saturday marks the 30th year of Big Bikes for Little Tikes.

For those who don’t know, this is the Coulee Region’s version of Make-A-Wish — with motorcycles.

This year, they ride for a 9-year-old Viroqua boy named Tucker Lovelace, who is going through medical hardships no person — let alone child — should have to endure.

Bags from 95.7 The Rock — which hosts the event each year — joined to talk about Tucker, his family, and their “wish.”

The two also reminisced about past Big Bikes kids — some who have grown up and some who have passed on.

Ride Logistics & Registration
Online Registration: Visit 957therock.com.
Day-of Registration: 9-11 a.m. Saturday at Great River Harley-Davidson in Onalaska.
The Ride: Kickstands go up at 11 a.m.
After-party: The ride ends at Features Sports Bar & Grill in Holmen.

Saturday marks the 30th year of Big Bikes for Little Tikes.
For those who don&rsquo;t know, this is the Coulee Region&rsquo;s version of Make-A-Wish &mdash; with motorcycles.
This year, they ride for a 9-year-old Viroqua boy named Tucker Lovelace, who is going through medical hardships no person &mdash; let alone child &mdash; should have to endure.
Bags from 95.7 The Rock &mdash; which hosts the event each year &mdash; joined to talk about Tucker, his family, and their &ldquo;wish.&rdquo;
The two also reminisced about past Big Bikes kids &mdash; some who have grown up and some who have passed on.
<hr>
Ride Logistics &amp; Registration
<ul>
<li>Online Registration:&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.957therock.com/big-bikes/">957therock.com</a>.</li>
<li>Day-of Registration:&nbsp;9-11 a.m. Saturday at&nbsp;Great River Harley-Davidson&nbsp;in Onalaska.</li>
<li>The Ride:&nbsp;Kickstands go up at 11 a.m.</li>
<li>After-party:&nbsp;The ride ends at Features Sports Bar &amp; Grill in Holmen.</li>
</ul>

The Coulee's "Make-A-Wish" — Big Bikes rides for 9-year-old Tucker

La Crosse teachers’ union president Jill Schams in studio discussing how political groups like theirs needs to be, how things might be different without Act 10 and her thoughts on historic status of district buildings.

Schams, who’s president of the La Crosse Education Association, also talks about the school cellphone ban, new names and mascots for the new and renovated elementary schools, and staffing as the district consolidates buildings. 

We spent most of our time, though, on politics on various topics. Generally, though, just how schools, teachers and students are all affected by what happens in Madison and Washington, DC., and how teacher groups, union groups and school districts need to navigate those waters.

That discussion includes a look at Act 10, which could be struck down by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and how things might be different without it. There is also the matter of the $600 million deal struck by three retiring politicians in the state for education funding and how details are needed to take a stance.

In terms of direct La Crosse School District issues, Schams is asked about potential complications that come with buildings getting historic status. When Logan Middle School closed, it was deemed historic after the fact, and the same thing is happening with Emerson Elementary, which will close after next school year. The Lincoln building is still going through a selling process years later, and the district is currently fighting historic status for Emerson.

La Crosse teachers&rsquo; union president Jill Schams in studio discussing how political groups like theirs needs to be, how things might be different without Act 10 and her thoughts on historic status of district buildings.
Schams, who&rsquo;s president of the La Crosse Education Association, also talks about the school cellphone ban, new names and mascots for the new and renovated elementary schools, and staffing as the district consolidates buildings.&nbsp;
We spent most of our time, though, on politics on various topics. Generally, though, just how schools, teachers and students are all affected by what happens in Madison and Washington, DC., and how teacher groups, union groups and school districts need to navigate those waters.
That discussion includes a look at Act 10, which could be struck down by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and how things might be different without it. There is also the matter of the $600 million deal struck by three retiring politicians in the state for education funding and how details are needed to take a stance.
In terms of direct La Crosse School District issues, Schams is asked about potential complications that come with buildings getting historic status. When Logan Middle School closed, it was deemed historic after the fact, and the same thing is happening with Emerson Elementary, which will close after next school year. The Lincoln building is still going through a selling process years later, and the district is currently fighting historic status for Emerson.

La Crosse teachers’ union president Schams on getting political, a look at Act 10 and their role in closing schools

City council president Tamra Dickinson in studio helping discuss regulating e-bikes, defining downtown, and the missing public meeting on city admin while the public hears about pools and Pearl Street.

We open the show though with a quick nugget about why United Airlines is delaying flights between La Crosse and Chicago until October. We also talked quick about filling city committee roles and whether to consolidate some of those meetings.

The two big topics though were about the council meeting Thursday over e-bike regulations, which deal somewhat with whether Riverside Park is part of downtown (because you can't bike on sidewalks downtown). 

After that, Dickinson was asked where the city administrator conversation is happening. While the city conducts public meetings on a potential indoor aquatics center and a new look for Pearl Street downtown, nothing has come on city administrator — which has been a focal point of city government talks for two years. 

Also, with the city council having intensive conversations in committee and at monthly meetings over the budget, we talked about how a city administrator might facilitate those talks.

We also hit on the council having final say on historic status of buildings, including Emerson Elementary School, the city cutting down trees on Rose Street, Drift Cycle spots on the north side.

City council president Tamra Dickinson in studio helping discuss regulating e-bikes, defining downtown, and the missing public meeting on city admin while the public hears about pools and Pearl Street.
We open the show though with a quick nugget about why United Airlines is delaying flights between La Crosse and Chicago until October. We also talked quick about filling city committee roles and whether to consolidate some of those meetings.
The two big topics though were about the council meeting Thursday over e-bike regulations, which deal somewhat with whether Riverside Park is part of downtown (because you can't bike on sidewalks downtown).&nbsp;
After that, Dickinson was asked where the city administrator conversation is happening. While the city conducts public meetings on a potential indoor aquatics center and a new look for Pearl Street downtown, nothing has come on city administrator &mdash; which has been a focal point of city government talks for two years.&nbsp;
Also, with the city council having intensive conversations in committee and at monthly meetings over the budget, we talked about how a city administrator might facilitate those talks.
We also hit on the council having final say on historic status of buildings, including Emerson Elementary School, the city cutting down trees on Rose Street, Drift Cycle spots on the north side.

Two-time NCAA champ, La Crosse's Katie Kotlowski, on her Badgers women's hockey career

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