Michelle Sawatzky
Encyclopedia
Michelle Sawatzky-Koop is a retired female volleyball
player from Canada
, who competed for her native country at the 1996 Summer Olympics
in Atlanta, Georgia
. There she ended up in ninth place with the Women's National Team
.
While growing up in Steinbach, Michelle Sawatzky developed and pursued her interests in music and athletics, choosing volleyball as her sport of choice. 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. Sawatzky was a part of the Bison's women's volleyball team that won two CIS championships in 1990 and 1991. In 1995, she was part of the bronze medal finish at the Pan American Games in Argentina. In March 1996 the team qualified for the Olympic Games and in July of that same year, the team finished 9th at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
After competing in the 1996 Olympics, Michelle joined CHSM and CFAM radio, in the spring of 1997, to become a broadcaster and producer on the Morning Show (currently hosted by Al Friesen, Michelle Sawatzky and Jayme Giesbrecht). She is also an accomplished pianist, having graduated from the University of Manitoba
School of Music in 1993, with a Bachelor of Music Piano Performance. Michelle has been a key organizer and participant in the annual Southeastern Manitoba Festival, which takes place in Steinbach.
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
player from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, who competed for her native country at the 1996 Summer Olympics
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. There she ended up in ninth place with the Women's National Team
Canada women's national volleyball team
The Canada women's national volleyball team represents Canada in the international women's volleyball competitions and friendly games.-Olympic Games:* 1964 — did not participate* 1968 — did not participate...
.
While growing up in Steinbach, Michelle Sawatzky developed and pursued her interests in music and athletics, choosing volleyball as her sport of choice. As a university player for the Manitoba Bisons
Manitoba Bisons
The Manitoba Bisons are the athletic teams that represent the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The football and soccer teams play their games at University Stadium, which also serves as the location of track & field events...
she was a two-time CIS
Canadian Interuniversity Sport
Canadian Interuniversity Sport is the national governing body of university sport in Canada, comprising the majority of degree granting universities in the country. Its equivalent body for organized sports at colleges in Canada is The Canadian Colleges Athletic Association...
Championship MVP in 1990 and 1991, as well a two-time CIS player of the year for the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons. Sawatzky was a part of the Bison's women's volleyball team that won two CIS championships in 1990 and 1991. In 1995, she was part of the bronze medal finish at the Pan American Games in Argentina. In March 1996 the team qualified for the Olympic Games and in July of that same year, the team finished 9th at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
After competing in the 1996 Olympics, Michelle joined CHSM and CFAM radio, in the spring of 1997, to become a broadcaster and producer on the Morning Show (currently hosted by Al Friesen, Michelle Sawatzky and Jayme Giesbrecht). She is also an accomplished pianist, having graduated from the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
School of Music in 1993, with a Bachelor of Music Piano Performance. Michelle has been a key organizer and participant in the annual Southeastern Manitoba Festival, which takes place in Steinbach.