Michelle Sawatzky-Koop

Last updated
Michelle Sawatzky-Koop
Personal information
NationalityFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Born (1970-07-14) July 14, 1970 (age 54)
Steinbach, Manitoba
College / University Manitoba
Volleyball information
Position Setter
National team
1993 – 1996 [1] Canada
Honours
Women's Volleyball
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Pan American Games
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1995 Mar del Plata Women's volleyball

Michelle Sawatzky-Koop (born July 14, 1970 in Steinbach, Manitoba) is a Canadian retired volleyball player and former radio broadcaster. She competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia with the Women's National Team, where the team finished 9th. [2]

As a university player for the Manitoba Bisons, she was a two-time CIS Championship MVP in 1990 and 1991, as well a two-time CIS player of the year for the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons. [3] Sawatzky was a part of the Bison's women's volleyball team that won three CIS championships in 1990, 1991 and 1992. In 1995, she joined the Canadian national team, who won a bronze medal at the Pan American Games in Argentina. In July 1996 the team finished 9th at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. [4]

From 1997 to 2024, Sawatzky was a radio broadcaster and Morning Show co-host on CHSM, CFAM, and CJRB radio in southern Manitoba. [5] In 2024, she left radio to work for the Southeast Event Centre in Steinbach. [6]

Sawatzky graduated from the University of Manitoba School of Music in 1993 with a Bachelor of Music Piano Performance. [4] She has also organized and participated in the annual Southeastern Manitoba Festival, which takes place in Steinbach. [7]

Sawatzky was elected into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 2022 and the Volleyball Canada Hall of Fame in 2024. [8]

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References

  1. "Hall of Fame Inductee Spotlight: Michelle Sawatzky-Koop". Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame . September 29, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  2. Team Canada Women's History. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  3. Women's Volleyball- A Brief History Archived 2011-06-05 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  4. 1 2 Michelle Sawatzky-Koop - Canadian Olympic Women's Volleyball Team. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  5. CFAM Radio 950. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  6. "Southeast Event Centre Our Team" . Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  7. Southeastern Manitoba Festival. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  8. "Michelle Sawatzky-Koop part of Manitoba Sport Hall of Fame". University of Manitoba Bisons. Retrieved September 17, 2022.