Athlete Profile

Think of determination, hard work and commitment, and Landon Heidenreich comes to mind. A four-year starting point guard for the Lutes, Landon earned honorable mention all-conference honors last year. His steady floor game and consistent play is reflected in the statistics where he averages 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.

Describe your family. How have they helped you in your athletic career?
My family has been my biggest support throughout life. My dad played college ball and was always an inspiration to me in becoming an athlete, and my mom has always supported my love of sports and being an athlete. My parents have never missed a game, whether it’s in Arizona, Spokane, or California. Their support for basketball has been a major factor in my life and they are always encouraging me and helping me become a better player. The only thing they did not help me with in my basketball career was my height, ha ha. My sister is an awesome person and a great fan that also has been a huge influence in my life. She has always made me understand the potential that I have as an athlete and as a person.

Describe any hardships or extenuation circumstances that you have faced to get to where you are today.
The first two years I was here was something that some might refer to as chaotic. We had a record that is not worth talking about and a program that needed some change. I almost left PLU. My sophomore year I also had some ankle problems and missed a few games, and then ended up getting mononucleosis, which ended my year. Also, at the end of my junior year I found out that I had a hernia and had to get surgery which kept me from playing ball and lifting weights.

What made you decide to come to PLU?
The only reason I came to PLU was for basketball. It was also close to home yet far enough away, too. I didn’t finalize my decision to play for PLU until the end of July. I had no idea what to do or where to go. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take the JC route and try and play in a different division or not. Coach Dickerson probably had the biggest influence on me in deciding to come here. He would write my family and me every week during the summer, and was always very sincere and encouraging. Another reason I chose PLU was because I really enjoyed the upper class guys who were on the team. When I visited PLU during the summer time they always rounded up all the ballplayers for a game and this helped me see what PLU basketball was all about.

What has been your favorite class at PLU?
Operations management with Professor Carol Ptak. This class was one of the first classes at PLU that really sparked my interest in the line of work I intend on doing in the future. She had really creative projects and assignments, which were all hands-on activities. The class was all about brainstorming and putting your ideas to the test to see if they would be successful.

Have you had any trouble balancing athletics with academics?
Sometimes I find it hard to balance my time between athletics and academics, but as you get older you find ways to get things done. The thing about sports is that it’s year round. Even during the off seasons I still have to find a balance between the two because I am constantly trying to prepare for the season. I know that when I was younger here I thought that there was no way that I was going to make it, but as time went on you can figure out how to equal things out.

What are you plans after college?
I want to continue playing basketball if that is a possibility, but I also have a lot of other plans. Traveling, learning different languages, and job searching will be my three main priorities. Where do I want to work? No clue yet.

When your athletic career is all said and done, what is it that you would want people to say about you?
I want people to say that they enjoyed watching me play, and that they thought I was a better than average player. But other than that, I guess it’s up to them. I hope it is something positive, ha ha.

Describe your hometown and what you miss about it the most.
I miss it because it’s almost the opposite of Parkland. I feel so much more at ease when I am in Vancouver. Plus I miss being a youngster in Vancouver; those days went too quick. I miss how the summers used to be, no job, no worries, just playing basketball and hanging with friends. I also miss just hanging out in my basement with my buddies.

What's your favorite spot on campus?
The GYM. There is no homework, and no worries.

What is your favorite restaurant in Tacoma?
My favorite restaurant is the RAM. I like their food a lot, and it seems that I usually get full when I eat there.

What music is playing in your ipod right now?
I think I use a CD player more, and I think Hank Williams Jr. is in there right now.