By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
GREEN BAY – Eleanor Hoge was an integral part of the Green Bay Preble softball team which made a deep run into the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 1 postseason.
But Hoge said she’d like to be remembered more for her off-field accomplishments.
“I hope I’m remembered as a leader and a person who people knew they could talk to and feel comfortable with,” said Eleanor, the daughter of Jennifer and Pete Hoge. “My one wish is for everyone I know to achieve true happiness.”
At Preble, she was involved in National Honor Society, Preble Pals, Key Club and Link Club.
Hoge dabbled in volleyball her freshman and sophomore years but wished she had tried another sport.
“I always thought hockey would have been fun,” she said. “It’s a cool sport, but I only took lessons for a week when I was younger.”
Hoge’s older sister, Evelyn, is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and also played softball at Preble.
“I didn’t play much my freshman year because we were senior-heavy,” she said. “We advanced to the sectional finals, and I got to play with my sister, who was a senior on the team. I’ll always remember that year.”
Both of her parents graduated from Preble, but her dad was born in Pennsylvania before moving to the area.
“My mom wasn’t too much into sports when she was younger, but she always tells us about how she’d play baseball with the boys at recess,” Eleanor said. “My dad did football and baseball.”
The Hornets are coached by Ron Metzler.
“He’s a great coach,” Hoge said. “He has a passion for the game I haven’t seen before. It translates to us on the field. It’s been a crazy season. Every team member contributes in some way. Before the season, we thought it would be a possibility, but I don’t think we thought it would be this good. With last season getting canceled (because of the COVID-19 pandemic), I felt terrible for our seniors. We’ve had no COVID-19 breaks this season.”
Hoge is attending the University of Wisconsin-River Falls beginning this fall and plans to play softball.
“I’m not sure what I’ll study yet, but I’ll have to earn my playing time,” said Hoge, who was recently named to the Fox River Classic Conference second-team list. “
Her main position is first base, but she also plays third.
“I’ve had two home runs this year,” Hoge said. “This past winter, I was playing in a tournament in Wisconsin Dells and hit a grand slam and another homer – that was exciting.”
Her most embarrassing moments have occurred frequently.
“I’ve tripped on the way to first many times,” Hoge said. “I seem to fall in slow motion.”
She describes herself as dedicated, passionate, outgoing and has a fear of stickers.
“When I was young, we’d walk into Walmart, and the greeter would try to give me a happy face sticker – I’d run away,” Hoge said. “I’m still not a fan.”
She’s visited Munich, Germany, the Dominican Republic and Denver, Colo.
“I’d love to visit New York City and possibly study abroad in Australia,” Hoge said.
In 15 years, Hoge said she hopes she’s found a career she’s passionate about and maybe coaching softball.
“Ever since I was little, I’ve always thought I’d like to venture out in this world,” she said. “I’m not sure I’ll be living in the Green Bay area.”
Hoge likes sushi, The Settlement Bar, the phone apps TikTok and Instagram and the months of December and July.
Sports editor’s note: To read about Preble’s 6-1 loss to Kaukauna June 23 in the sectional finals, CLICK HERE.