CATCHING UP WITH KRISTINE AUSTGULEN
By Chris Kowalczyk
6-27-10

Virginia Commonwealth University has an established history as a richly diverse campus, drawing students from across the globe. Athletically, some of VCU’s greatest student-athletes were from abroad, including a slew of tennis and soccer All-Americans, as well as basketball standouts from Russia, Germany and Cameroon, just to name a few. Among the Rams’ most successful imports is former women’s basketball star Kristine Austgulen.

A native of Bergen, Norway, Austgulen scored 1,572 points and grabbed 799 rebounds from 1999-2003. She was a two-time All-Colonial Athletic Association pick, and when she graduated, she ranked third in program history in points and second in rebounds. In 2002-03, she averaged 18.7 points and 10.7 rebounds, making her one of four Rams to average a double-double for a season.

As good as she was on the court, she was even better in the classroom. A political science major, Austgulen carried a perfect 4.0 grade-point-average during her collegiate career and was named an Academic All-American in 2003. She also received the Dean Ehlers Leadership Award and was selected the CAA’s Scholar Athlete as a senior.

These days, the 29-year-old Austgulen makes her home in Oslo, Norway, where she is attending law school. Around The Horns recently caught up with the former VCU star, via e-mail.

ATH: Kristine, it’s been seven years since you graduated from VCU in 2003. What have you been up to?

KA: Right after [I graduated from] VCU I received an academic scholarship to pursue my Masters Degree at American University in Washington D.C., which I did in International Affairs. I was working at the Eurasia Group while doing the degree. Afterwards I worked as a consultant at the Interamerican Development Bank in D.C., in the operational divisions (with a focus on Central America and Haiti).

In 2006 I returned to Norway to pursue a law degree, which is a 5-year masters degree here. I worked three years as a prison guard in Oslo prison (for all men), including as a trainer to the inmates five times a week! I also worked as a personal trainer at a gym in Oslo. I have worked as a trainee/intern in about five of the biggest commercial law firms in Norway. I have 1 1/2 years left and I am pursuing a career in commercial law, with focus on Norwegian business interests abroad. I have also learned both Spanish and Portuguese, the first of which was through my job at the IDB in D.C., where the working language was Spanish.

As far as travelling, it’s my biggest hobby, in addition to Cuban salsa and fitness. Since graduating I have travelled to Australia, Brazil, Haiti, Cuba, Croatia, Spain, the Bahamas, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Greece and England.

ATH: You’re a native of Bergen, Norway, which is a heck of a long way from Richmond, Va. What attracted you to VCU?

KA: When I came on my visit I immediately felt like VCU was the right place for me. You can say that my gut-instinct made the decision. I really wanted to be in a city on the east coast, and I felt that the people I met on my visit were very friendly and welcoming. The fact that VCU was a big university that offered a lot of different academic programs was an important factor as well.

ATH: What was the most difficult thing about coming to the United States to go to college?

KA: Being far away from family and friends - the people that really know who you are and can help keep things in perspective. I definitely grew a lot as a person being "alone" for those years. Cultural differences in general were also difficult, especially in the beginning. The U.S. is a much more individualistic and competitive culture than Norway, something I learned quickly after arriving!

ATH: The average high temperature in Richmond in July is 87 degrees. In Bergen, the average January low is 31 degrees. Which is worse, summer in Richmond or winter in Bergen?

KA: Definitely winter in Bergen:) I am a summer-heat beach person, and I can't stand the cold. Actually, 31 degrees is not even that bad, compared to some other places in Norway, including Oslo where I live now. I'll take the heat and humidity all day.

ATH: If I was to visit Norway, what’s the one thing I’ve got to see or do while I’m there?

KA: See the spectacular "postcard" nature of the west coast - the fjords and mountains that Norway is famous for. I would recommend taking the "Norway in a Nutshell Tour”, which goes from Oslo to Bergen, and I would of course join as a guide.

ATH: You were the first VCU Women’s Basketball player to have her jersey retired. What did that experience mean to you?

KA: Honestly, it is still an emotional thing for me when someone mentions that. It means so much to me because it was a manifestation of everything I had put into basketball, everything I had worked for, and sacrificed. I always tell people that if all else fails, at least have my jersey retired! It was a great victory for me personally because it showed me that through determination and perseverance, I can achieve anything I want. I am still deeply thankful for the decision to retire my jersey and it is something I am also going to carry with me.

ATH: When you played at VCU from 1999-2003, the program was just starting to find its footing. How surprising is Rams’ success the last 3-4 years?

KA: I wouldn't say that I am surprised at all. I think VCU has everything to be able to make it among the top programs in the country. I felt that the Athletic Department was a major backer of women's basketball, and with the university expanding in size, student body, academic offerings etc., I think it will only keep getting better.

ATH: What will you remember most about your time at VCU?

KA: I have so many memories, but I think what I remember the most is the whole experience of being part of the team. Working hard together to accomplish a common goal, through good and bad times, is something very special that is hard to explain to other people that haven't gone through the same thing. It teaches you so much about life, dealing with people, facing success and failure, setting goals - things that help you in the rest of your life.

Of course I also remember the great pre-season workouts with our trainer Tim Kontos. I actually really missed being pushed like that!

ATH: In the 2002-03 media guide, under “Off the Court”, you list ab workouts, academics and speed ladder workouts as some of your favorite activities. What the heck do you do for fun, split the atom?

KA: Hahahaha! I can't believe I said that! Well, I think I must have been brainwashed at the time. I actually think it just shows that when you play college basketball at that level it just dominates your entire existence:) Needless to say, those are no longer my favorite off the court activities.

ATH: You’ve got quite the academic resume, Academic All-America, Dean Ehlers Leadership Award, CAA Scholar Athlete, just to name a few. How did you manage to remain so successful in the classroom, and yet still become an All-CAA basketball player?

KA: For me it has was always a matter of just applying the same discipline to the court and the classroom. It is all about staying focused, determined and getting the job done, in whatever arena you are in. It is also important for student -athletes to remember that they are just that - STUDENT-athletes. College sports provide a unique opportunity to get a free education, while playing the sport you love. I will always love basketball, but it was a tool for me to getting me where I want in my career.

ATH: You majored in political science, but politics is a scary subject for a lot of people. Tell me a cool job I can get with a political science degree, preferably one where I don’t have to wear a tie.

KA: Well, I am actually in my second year of law school, so I don't have any good advice on non-tie jobs:) My goal is to work in a large international business, which I hopefully will do when I finish as a lawyer next year in 2011. If you don't want to wear a tie you should engage in my favorite activity - travel the world - and be a professional beach bum:)

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