This month in the University Spotlight: Oakland University. Detroit’s third largest university. It is also home to one Slamstox champion, nobody less than Lotte Houtman! In this spotlight you can read more about her university and her time in Michigan. Got curious? Keep on reading!
Lotte Houtman has been strengthening Oakland university’s track & field team since the summer of 2021. Her specialties are mainly high jump, pole vault and long jump. Lotte decided to vlog her first couple of weeks in the USA. So, would you like to get a glimpse into Lotte’s life? Check out her vlogs here!
The second student-athlete which has been active for Oakland University is our Slamstox champion Joëlle Tabernal. Joëlle was active for the university’s tennis team in 2020 and 2021. Besides playing college tennis, she was following the Psychology major.
The Campus
Oakland University is located in the southeast of the state of Michigan, in just a thirty minute drive you are in downtown Detroit. Detroit is also the largest city in the state of Michigan and even the 18th largest city in America. A fun fact about Oakland University’s campus is that many of the buildings and facilities on campus are named after important people. Some examples include: Anibal House, Baldwin Memorial Pavilion, and Elliott Tower. Are you curious about what the campus looks like? Then check out the video here!
Rochester Hills is where Oakland University is located. Rochester Hills used to be inhabited by settlers of European descent and the town was still called Avon Township at that time. Since 1984, the town has been called Rochester Hills and has grown into a suburb of Detroit. Can you already see yourself staying here?
The tennis courts, baseball fields and golf courses: all perfectly maintained. Not only the fields are great, you can also go bananas in the gym! In the USA, most sports are physically a lot stronger and faster, but that doesn’t surprise us with these extensive gyms on campus! Every student-athlete will certainly benefit from this during their career as a student-athlete.
Sport
The sports teams of the university all compete at a high level, for the best possible result. The university started in 1967 with the sports teams. At the time, they still competed in the NCAA Division II. In 1997, the university transferred to the NCAA Division I!
The university has sports teams within 8 men’s and 10 women’s sports. Many successes have been achieved over the years. Most of the successes have been achieved by the men’s swimming and diving team, they have already been champion for 5 times and even ten times 2nd. Another fun fact is that Oakland University also has an esports team since 2020! So there is something for everyone 😉
Oakland University also has a multi-purpose arena with up to 4,000 seats! The Athletics Center O’rena is home to the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies men’s basketball, women’s basketball and volleyball teams.
Study
The sports results are important, but the school results of a student-athlete are just as important. Lotte and Joëlle also had to experience that mentality. It’s working very hard as a student-athlete, but you will get a good time in return.
At Oakland University there is a huge choice of majors. Varying from Arts and Sciences to Health Sciences studies. A major for everyone, including you!
Do you also want to become a student-athlete at an American university or do you just want to know more about sports and studying in America? Then contact us!
Would you also like to get to know other schools? Then take a look at our other University Spotlights!
