Nicole Elmblad (4) of St. Ignace plans to play basketball for the University of Wisconsin at Madison. (File photograph) LaSalle High School (LHS) senior Nicole Elmblad has made a verbal commitment to attend the University of Wisconsin (UW) at Madison and play basketball for the 2011-2012 Badgers.

"Family atmosphere with the coaching staff and players was one of the reasons to select UW," said Miss Elmblad. "I’m happy that the decision is completed. It has been stressful for my family. The smile on my face will tell you that I am happy with the decision. Early signing will take place during the final two weeks of November."

She and her parents, Carol and Mark Elmblad, and her brother, Kyle, a student at the University of Michigan, traveled to Madison Tuesday, August 3, to meet with head coach Lisa Stone and assistant coach John Brines, who was the head coach at Michigan Technological University and a native of Escanaba. This will be Mr. Brines’ first year at UW and Miss Elmblad is his first recruit.

"The entire university was very impressive and, following a walk around the athletic complex and Kohl Center with Coach Stone, we went back to her office,” said Miss Elmblad. “My decision was made and I asked the coach if number four was available.”

Number four is her jersey number at St. Ignace.

“My brother, Kyle, said it best: What is holding you back from deciding?” she noted. “My family had a nice, relaxing seven-hour drive back to St. Ignace."

One of the top players in the state as a junior, Nicole Elmblad earned all-state honors, was named Player of the Year in the Upper Peninsula and Straits Area Conference, and, going into her senior season, will be a candidate for Miss Basketball.

The second athlete from St. Ignace to play in the Big Ten, following Krista Clement at Michigan, Miss Elmblad led the Saints to a regional championship appearance during her sophomore year. The team was Class C state runner-up when she was a junior averaging 25.1 points, 11.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 5.7 steals. She has scored 1,295 career points in three years and will be key again this year.

"Nicole is a very versatile athlete, continues to improve, and strives to be the best," said Dorene Ingalls, her coach at St. Ignace. "She is a strong player on both sides of the ball and, during her final year with St. Ignace and into her collegiate career, will get better. UW is receiving a strong academic student along with an outstanding athlete."

Miss Elmblad received national exposure playing in the AAU under-16 elite national tournament in Chicago for Matt Tamm, former Petoskey coach. This is the strongest recruiting tournament in the Midwest for college coaches and this was the first time that the UW coaches saw Miss Elmblad play in person.

Universities expressing interest in her were Wisconsin-Green Bay, Bowling Green, Boston University, Loyola of Chicago, Central Michigan University, Western Michigan University, and Oakland University.

Her brother, Eric, was graduated from the University of Michigan, where he played hockey.