Many Ohio University students can call themselves out-of-staters, but not many can say they hail from a foreign country.
But such is the case for Louzeth Schutte, a redshirt senior on the field-hockey team who came to Athens from South Africa.
Although that nation might be unfamiliar to someone from, say, Cleveland, Schutte said her upbringing did not differ all that much from the average U.S. citizen.
That said, she takes full advantage of the misconceptions surrounding her heritage.
More than one freshman has learned of Schutte’s fictitious hippopotamus. You know, the one named Jessica that lives in a pond in her backyard.
“I actually believed that for a really long time,” said Jen McGill, Ohio’s goalie and a close friend of Schutte’s. “Longer than most people did. … I had no idea.”
She has gone on safari, though and was as awed by the presence of a lion as any average American would be.
One thing Schutte misses most about her homeland — besides her friends and family — is a South African tradition that many people from these parts would envy.
During the week, Schutte looks forward to rugby and barbecue, but the food she eats isn’t that similar to what might be found at a Fourth of July cookout.
“We don’t have hamburgers and hot dogs,” Schutte said. “It’s like, straight steak and red meat. Red meat is big at home, and we have traditional South African dishes to go with that.”
McGill got a taste of the foreign fare when Schutte’s mother made a surprise visit to the states last year.
For Schutte, 23, that moment was one of the most memorable she has had in Athens. Mid-American Conference titles in 2007 and 2009 also topped her list of fondest memories.
This season, she has helped put the Bobcats in a position to succeed once again. The team is 8-2, making it a favorite to win a conference whose top teams are dealing with down years.
A team captain, Schutte has started all 10 games, scored three goals and recorded six assists.
But her biggest impact can’t be seen on a stats sheet. That’s because Schutte is a defensive specialist, a shutdown player on a team whose strength has been its ability to keep opponents off the scoreboard.
“She’s a great example for everyone. She’s a leader,” said McGill. “She treats everyone with respect.”
It’s hard to argue with her on-field ability. The MAC has released its Player of the Week awards four times this year, and three times the defensive honor has gone to Schutte.
Schutte will go back to South Africa once this season comes to a close. She said she will miss the school itself, especially the way it is when the weather is nice.
“I’ll definitely miss summertime,” she said. “It’s so relaxed here. I love being here in the summer.”
Schutte is studying pre-dentistry and will attend dental school back in South Africa. Though she’s leaving the U.S. soon, she said she definitely plans to return.
But before that can happen, she might have a visitor of her own. McGill spoke of taking a trip to South Africa with teammate Jenna Green at some point in the next two years.
If and when McGill does go, she’ll probably frown at the sight of a hippo-less pond in Schutte’s backyard.
“That was one of the first things I wanted to do,” McGill said. “When I go visit her, I wanted to meet Jessica.”
me811508@ohiou.edu
