UWL’s Sam Blaskowski balances family, academics and a passion for track

UWL's Sam Blaskowski balances family, academics and a passion for track

Being a student-athlete opens doors to unique opportunities, and Sam Blaskowski has made the most of each one that has come his way.

Blaskowski, a junior majoring in exercise and sport science: sport management, is also a member of the men's track and field team. His athletic career gained momentum during his senior year at Oshkosh West High School, where his performance at the WIAA Track and Field Championships on UWL's campus caught the attention of UWL Coach Nicholas Gordon.

Committing to UWL was an easy decision for Blaskowski, who notes his family has ties to the area, and the fact that the school is gifted both academically and athletically.

"Both of my parents graduated from UWL, and when I looked into the school more, I realized there is a rich track history, too," Blaskowski says. "The final anchor for my decision was the fact that my grandparents live one mile from campus."

Since competing at the collegiate level, Blaskowski has broken the Division III 60-meter national record multiple times. His track talent has rewarded him with several experiences few college athletes see during their careers. One being the chance to compete at the 2024 Olympic trials for track and field, held in Eugene, Oregon.

"I prepared since the start of the year, assuming I was going to be able to qualify. I trained throughout an entire collegiate season, while keeping the trials in the back of my head," Blaskowski says. "Competing at the Olympic trials was like no other. Every single athlete I have ever looked up to was either racing next to me or competing on the same track as me.

"That's when I realized - I am just like them," Blaskowski continues. "I took away so much from this meet; it was both a learning experience and a motivator. Realizing I was one of the youngest athletes on the field showed me I have so much room for growth in the future."

Following a landmark policy change from the NCAA in 2021, Blaskowski has also had the opportunity to pursue a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with Kwik Trip.

"Kwik Trip's NIL program launched just over a year ago, and Sam was one of the first athletes to fill out an NIL application," says Hayden Knoll, '23, Kwik Trip's social media influencer specialist. "We started our partnership with him last fall, and it's been a success ever since."

Blaskowski promotes the brand through his social media platforms, and the day he was offered the Kwik Trip NIL deal remains one of the most memorable of his life.

"The partnership is pretty amazing," Blaskowski says. "I get to make cool, funny videos about my favorite place while being compensated for it. As a D3 athlete, this is the best thing to happen, since we don't get scholarships like most athletes. It's taught me many things, like how to represent an actual company as an athlete and all the work that goes on behind the scenes of a company like Kwik Trip."

After graduation, Blaskowski hopes to become a professional track athlete and stay connected with the sport however he can.

He has an internship with PrimeTime Timing, a Milwaukee-based company that provides official timing and other services for races and sporting events. PrimeTime Timing was used at the Olympic trials in Eugene, allowing Blaskowski to assist with timing once he had finished competing.

"I love the track and field world and would do anything to be able to work within it the rest of my life," he says. "I would love to stay in this type of business or become a coach at a large track program to continue giving back to a sport that has given me so much."

With all the success Blaskowski has seen in recent years, his focus on his family has never wavered. This summer, Blaskowski moved in with his grandparents to help care for them.

"I love doing what I do for them, and I wouldn't change a thing about it," he says. "During the school year they are so supportive of me, allowing me to get all my schoolwork done and always put school first. My grandma doesn't let me do anything unless school is going well. It's a great balance, since athletics takes up so much of my time. My coaches are always supportive of me caring for my grandparents, too."

With a promising future in both athletics and sports management, Blaskowski continues to embrace the opportunities that come his way, always grounded by his commitment to family and the sport he loves.