West De Pere’s Dawson Nordgaard is a senior member of the boys’ basketball team. Submitted Photo

By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent

Name: Dawson Nordgaard

Nickname: Dodge

Parents: Jeff and Alexis Nordgaard

Activity: Boys’ basketball

Twitter: @dawsonnordgaard

Dawson Nordgaard is a senior on the West De Pere boys’ basketball team.

He averages more than 16 points per game for the Phantoms, who were awarded a No. 5 seed in the WIAA Division 1 regional.

Nordgaard said hitting a buzzer-beater put-back to win the game against Pulaski (48-46) in a regional game last year was his most memorable on-court moment.

Who’s your biggest rival?

“Seymour and Xavier are our Bay Conference rivals, and De Pere is the biggest rival for us in nonconference. We renewed scheduling them last year. We beat them last year, and they beat us earlier this season by a bucket. We got them back, 75-66, Feb. 6 in the rubber match.”

Talk about your father playing at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and how he has inspired you.

“My dad has been a big part of coaching this group of seniors, and his experience at Green Bay and professionally has helped to push us to want to excel.”

What’s your favorite thing about athletics?

“Hanging out and competing with my friends.”

What piece of technology has contributed the most to your high school success?

“A Chromebook. I wrote lots of essays.”

What’s a cherished moment off the court?

“Westside Connection AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball trips in the spring/summer.  The whole team was West De Pere kids (my best friends), and we had fun and success.”

What’s your favorite thing about playing for West De Pere head coach Todd Deschane?

“He cares about us as people.”

Why is your nickname Dodge?

“I am named after my dad’s hometown of Dawson, Minnesota. My dad and his buddies always called their hometown Dodge. He started calling me that when I was young.”

Most useful math theory you learned in four years?

“The Pythagorean Theorem.”

What’s something about you most people don’t know?

“I was born in Warsaw, Poland. My dad announced in an interview my name was Proffitt John Nordgaard (my mom’s maiden name is Proffitt), but it didn’t seem a fitting name, so my parents decided on Dawson John.”

What are your college aspirations?

“I am undecided as to which school, but I plan to play basketball and study engineering.”

Italy or France?

“I take French in school, but I’d choose Italy because of the pasta and pizza. I lived in Italy for a short time as a toddler when my dad played for a professional team.”

What’s your dream job?

“To become an architect.”

Who’s the funniest person on your team?

“Ethan Neuens.”

Talk about a favorite teacher. 

“Mr. Batten. He made class interesting.”

Favorite thing to do in the summer?

“Get together with friends and go to the beach.”

Orange or apple juice?

“Orange juice.”

“Coach Carter” or “Hoosiers?”

“’Hoosiers.’”

What are your favorite trips taken?

“St. Pete Beach (Florida) and the Black Hills (South Dakota).”

Who’s your favorite basketball team?

“The Milwaukee Bucks.”

If you could be a fictional character, who would it be?

“Jim Halpert.”

A 28-foot, three-point basket or a big rebound?

“A big rebound. It’s more fun to grab boards.”

Favorites

Restaurant: Drift Inn

Color: Blue

Number: 33