Detroit graduate assistant Katie Solner, who played for the Titans from 2002-05, is featured in this week's women's basketball Q&A.

What's it like being a graduate assistant for your alma mater?
I feel very fortunate to be the GA at UDM. When I was a player and student and Detroit, UDM was very supportive of me and I'm extremely happy to be able to give back. It is nice to see so many familiar faces that I knew when I was a player, as well as a meeting many new people and seeing all the new additions and improvements to the school and the facilities. Having been a player here, I know what the players are going through and I try to provide guidance and insight into getting the most out of their experiences as student-athletes. I'm also learning a lot from the coaching staff and experiencing what it takes to build a successful program.

How does it differ from when you were a player?
It's very different from being a player. I have a complete different mindset now that I'm working behind the scenes. As a player, I was more focused on contributing to the team physically and mentally every day in practice and in games. As a GA, I contribute through planning and preparation behind the scenes to aid in building a successful program on and off the court.

What are your responsibilities as a GA?
My responsibilities include coordinating film exchange, assisting with travel, setting up team meals, assisting in operational duties in the office and helping the staff out in anything they may need. During games, I keep track of fouls, timeouts, possession or anything we are particularly looking for based on the game.

What is your biggest challenge of being a GA?
The biggest challenge is balancing school and work. Sometimes I have to take a heavy class load during the season, which is tough. Luckily, I have been supplied with a laptop and a Blackberry, so I am able to work from wherever I may be, whether I'm at the library or on the road with the team.

What are you getting your second degree in?
My second degree is in Education and will also have a certificate in elementary education.

What do you plan to do after you receive your second degree?
I will finish up my elementary education certificate by student teaching for a semester next fall. Once that is completed, I hope to find a job teaching math at the middle school level, as well as continue to coach basketball.

What has been your favorite moment serving in the role that you are currently in?
My favorite moment so far is beating Georgia last year. It was our first win of the season with a new staff, in front of our home crowd and against a nationally ranked opponent. It was a great start to a new beginning that was very exciting to be a part of. I clearly remember the energy and excitement the team had in the locker room before that game. Seeing the team carry it over on the court is something I'll always remember.

What was your best moment as a player here at Detroit?
That's a difficult question because two moments were equally great for me as a player. The first was beating Green Bay in overtime at home my sophomore year. It was the only time that we beat Green Bay in my four years as a player. The other was beating Milwaukee on its home court in the semi-finals of the Horizon League Tournament, which was also my sophomore season.

How did you get the job of GA here at Detroit?
I was interested in learning more about pursuing a career in athletics, so I came to campus one day to talk to Steve Corder. He mentioned that Coach Rademacher was recently hired and I went to meet her. She was still looking to fill the GA position so I gave it some thought, met with her a few days later and was offered the position. I'm getting the best of both worlds working in college athletics with a great staff and great group of girls, while getting a certificate in education.

What's your favorite movie?
If I had to pick one, it would be Love Actually, which I watch it every year around Christmas.

When did you start playing basketball?
I started playing organized basketball in third grade. I grew up on a street with all boys, so I played basketball against my older brother and all the other boys in the neighborhood since I was five. I went on to play basketball at Marian High School and AAU basketball from eighth to 12th grades in the offseason.

Why did you choose to come to Detroit to play basketball?
I liked UDM because it was close to home and it has a strong academic reputation. Once I went on an official visit and met the team, I knew I wanted to come to Detroit because the team was fun, energetic, hardworking and they really made me feel welcome.

What number did you wear in college?
#11

Was there any significance to that number?
I wore #21 until I got to high school. An upperclassman already had #21, so I chose #11 for Isaiah Thomas. I also liked the #1, but since they didn't have that option, I went with #11. And luckily when I got to college, I was able to keep that number.

What does it mean to you to be a Titan?
Being a Titan means being part of a family. Not only part of the women's basketball family, but part of the athletic department and university as a whole. It means having pride and being able to represent those three areas and the City of Detroit through hard work and dedication every single day.