Detroit senior forward Heather Hatter (Howell, MI/Howell) is featured in this week's women's basketball Q&A.

Why did you choose Detroit?
I chose Detroit because of the atmosphere. Everyone is so close…the teachers and the professors and the small classrooms are a great environment to learn in. I also loved the team. I love what we stand for. Everyone is family here, so that's why I came to Detroit.

How is it being close to home?
I'm not so close to home, I'm the right distance. I used to go home a lot my freshman year, but am finding myself not going home as much. I like being able to go home and do my laundry. I like if I miss my dogs to be able to go home and have a dog in my lap, once in awhile. I like being able to have that option of going home or not.

How many dogs do you have?
Three wiener dogs: Twizzler, Trinket and Shaney.

What has been your best memory as a Titan thus far in your career?
My best experience as a team was when we were all on the bus, maybe two years ago, when we all did the train on the bus. Everyone danced down the aisle doing the white girl dance; it was really fun. As far as playing experience, it has to be the Valparaiso game last year because I wanted to beat them so badly. Valpo recruited me and chose not to go with me, which is fine because I like Detroit better, but when we beat them it was a great feeling. I also had a really good game, which was an added bonus.

What other schools recruited you?
Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Lehigh and some others. Mainly a lot of the MAC schools. I chose Detroit over the rest is because of the city and I also liked how it was D1 and it is a big school, but it's a small community.

You are one of two people on the team that has dealt with three different head coaches, what has that experience been like?
Rollercoaster. It definitely makes me appreciate what I have now. There have been ups and downs with all three coaches, but it makes me appreciate the stability and the discipline we have now. I don't know if a lot of people know how good they have it and I do.

How frustrating has it been for you to have been injured so much last year?
Very frustrating. It was really hard for me to get back from my first injury; very hard mentally. I didn't think that I could do it several times because it plays so many games with your mind, it's ridiculous. I'm okay this time around. The frustration is still there. I want to play all the time, but luckily Ashley (VanMeter; Assistant Athletic Trainer) is there to tell me 'no'. It's frustrating on one hand, but I'm glad that I'm in this situation that I'm in that I'm able to redshirt this year, that I'm able to play with my sister next year and that I'm able to continue with my education and do student teaching because I wouldn't be able to do that if I was playing. It closes one door, but opens others; I'm trying to stay positive.

Since you are claiming a redshirt this year, what do you think will be a highlight for you next season?
Playing with my sister is definitely going to be the highlight. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity because I've never gotten to play organized ball with her before. It's going to be interesting because I don't really know what to expect, but it's going to be awesome.

How long have you been playing basketball?
I started playing basketball when I was maybe around 10-years old.

What are you majoring in?
Elementary education.

What do you plan to do after you graduate?
I plan to continue my education because I plan to go into Special Education. I want to transfer somewhere that offers cognitively impaired because it's not offered at Detroit. I also plan on getting a job. There's a lot of opportunity that basketball will bring me because of that leadership and coaching ability. So, ultimately, I plan on teaching.

Is there any significance to #31?
No. I was #32 in high school, so the closest number here was #31, so I took it.

Do you have any gameday superstitions?
I have to sleep before for about a half an hour and I have to paint my nails that day. But, if I have a bad game, I can't use that nail polish again. I also have to wear mascara, that's about it.

What does it mean to you to be a Titan?
It means everyone's family. We're all together and can rely on each other. If anyone needs help, we'll be the first ones to help out.

Thoughts on Coach Rademacher?
She's an amazing coach and she knows what she's doing. She's definitely helped me with developing me into the player that I do want to be and I still have a long ways to go. She's hard on you, but at the same time, you want her to be hard on you because it only makes you better.