Genuine enthusiasm is a laudable trait. In fact, according to legendary UCLA Coach John Wooden, enthusiasm is one of the two cornerstones to success. Wooden believes that it stems "from your heart being in your work" and that this desired "enthusiasm" will eventually become contagious to those one works with. Though only a freshman, Falcon basketball player Jodi Kauth is a true testament to his teachings.

A Granton, Wis., native, Kauth prides herself on having good morals, a compelling work ethic and an ebullient attitude. This is evident in her individual goals for the rest of the basketball season: "I want to contribute everything I can to my team to help them improve." Whether that means being feisty under the basket grabbing rebounds or being a source of comic relief for her teammates, Kauth gets the job done.

Falcon Coach Cindy Hovet also realizes the impact of Kauth's team spirit: "Jodi always keeps people smiling and laughing." This is a role that common first-year players rarely endure--but Kauth has proven she's no ordinary person.

Kauth involves herself in many different extra-curricular activities. Currently, besides being a member of the women's basketball team, she works at UW-RF Lab Farm, volunteers at both the humane society and the local hospice care subsidiary, "Treasures From the Heart."

In high school Kauth was president of a FFA chapter that won national awards, participated on the forensics team, varsity club and band, as well as ran cross country and represented her student body as class secretary. Academics were also an immutable part of her life as she was on the scholastic honor roll.

Though it's been a challenge to join on-campus organizations during her first semester of college, her propensity to partake in activities will not be suppressed for long. Kauth feels that "the more you're involved in, the better person you are because you interact with so many different types of people. You learn to adjust to any situation; you can be a leader, a team player or a follower at any time."

These past experiences have helped her transition into the collegiate game of basketball. Kauth explains the obstacles she has faced as a first-year player. "I came from a shaky basketball foundation, so when I first started I felt like I was learning the fundamentals when everyone else was accelerating."

But now with the season in its stretch drive, Hovet has seen immense improvement in Kauth's game. "Jodi can be a good player for us. She rebounds well and she's getting better and better as she gets stronger."

This 6-foot post has given empirical assets to her team this season - always observing and learning from the veterans. "As I turn into an upperclassman, I'd like to start filling the shoes of our current post players," says Kauth about her ultimate basketball ambitions.

In addition to Kauth's personal goals of "getting stronger with the ball" and emulating the proficient skills of the present posts, she hopes her team can prevail as one of the WIAC's toughest as the conference tournament draws near.

Kauth may fit Wooden's definition of "enthusiasm" in every endeavor she pursues, but she also possesses his other prized cornerstone for success: industriousness. She realizes that the absence of hard work can lead to failure.

Just as Wooden attributes his work ethic to laboring on his family's farm, so does Kauth. With an agricultural business-dairy science major she eventually wants to own a traditional dairy farm where she can see herself raising a family and instilling the same values she has received into her children.

Though she came to UW-RF from a small town and farm, she is firmly committed to eradicating the typical "farm girl" stereotype. "Most think that people from a small town are sheltered, but I've been all over the place and seen a lot."

Kauth has been to Washington D.C. twice, Mexico, Yellowstone, and even ventured on an 18-day road trip to San Francisco with her sister. "I may have graduated with a mere 30 people, but I have traveled around the country and experienced all different kinds of people and walks of life."

Other pastimes of Kauth's include: cooking, ice skating, ice fishing, hunting and doing anything outdoors. Although she hasn't had much time to engage in her favorite outdoor activities since basketball has started, she is optimistic "that the winter weather will cooperate for a couple more months."

Her basketball career may have officially begun in 8 th grade, but Kauth is just now commencing on her journey as a UW-RF Falcon. Her unparalleled "enthusiasm" and "industriousness" will not only help her evolve into a powerful WIAC post player, but ensure that she can achieve any aspiration and live out, not just John Wooden's, but her own definition of "success."

Jodi Kauth