The Pointer UW-Stevens Point Student Newspaper
Joey Sosnowski, 29, can be found at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point men’s hockey games.
Sosnowski has down syndrome. His father, Jon Sosnowski, describes him as being positive and outgoing with an openness to try new things. Sosnowski is independent from his parents and shares an apartment with a roommate.
“Everybody’s always been really good to him, I don’t see that he has a disability. He has more mobility than half the teenage kids,” Sosnowski’s father said.
Despite never skating himself, Sosnowski has a passion for hockey and is the administrative assistant for UWSP’s men’s hockey team. Before working with UWSP’s hockey team, Sosnowski held the same position with the Stevens Point Area Senior High’s hockey team. He first started working with SPASH in 2005.
Throughout games, Sosnowski helps advise the players and coaches with power plays and penalty kills. He attends all of the home games and most of the away games. He can also sometimes be seen in the stands at other campus sporting events.
Joey Sosnowski, administrative assistant for the Pointer men’s hockey team. Photo by Kylie Bridenhagen.
“My favorite part of working with the team is getting to know the players and the player’s girlfriends,” Sosnowski said.
Last season Sosnowski was thrilled when the team won the national championship.
“It felt good to hear that they took the national title, they needed it,” Sosnowski said.
Tyler Krueger, associate head men’s hockey coach, has known Sosnowski for about nine years. Krueger believes that Sosnowski’s positive attitude and personality have not changed since he first met him. Krueger claims that Sosnowski can always be found with a smile on his face.
Krueger used to play for SPASHS’s hockey team, which is where he first met Sosnowski. Krueger recalled that although he and his high school teammates had talent on the ice, Sosnowski beat the players at bowling during a team outing.
Before landing his current position, Krueger played hockey at UWSP. While Krueger was a player at UWSP, Sosnowski joined him excited at the prospect of working with hockey players at the collegiate level.
“He’s a very sensitive person. He can tell if you are having a bad day or if you are not feeling well, he’s very caring in that aspect,” Krueger said.
According to Krueger, Sosnowski is always in a good mood and never fails to greet everyone with hugs. The players treat Sosnowski like a teammate.
“He likes to feel just like any of the other guys, and that’s how we treat him. I think that’s why he enjoys being around us so much,” Krueger said.
Caroline Chalk
Reporter
cchal845@uwsp.edu
