"Built By MKE" is a website feature started during the 2020-21 school year by the Milwaukee Athletic Department. The series, presented by Educators Credit Union, features former student-athletes and looks back on their time in Milwaukee. It includes updates on where they are now and what they have been doing since graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

The individual features include a short bio of their time as a Panther as well as a question-and-answer session touching on numerous topics covering a wide variety of department alumni from all sports and time periods. 

The next entry is former Milwaukee baseball player Mike Rauwerdink.
 
Rauwerdink played for the Panthers from 2005 through 2007, transferring into the program following one season at Lakeland College. He appeared in 46 games in his MKE career, mostly as a starting pitcher. He made 32 starts overall, recording eight victories and 101 strikeouts in 181.1 innings on the mound.
 
He threw 65.1 innings as a senior in 2007, earning Horizon League Pitcher of the Week honors after picking up his first victory of the season against UIC – allowing no earned runs in 7.0 strong innings – in late March. He threw a complete game against Youngstown State in May, striking out four, and allowed just one run in 8.0 innings against Butler in his final start as a Panther.
 
He went 4-4 as a junior, striking out an MKE-high 50 in 68.2 innings. He recorded a career-best with seven K's in his first start of the campaign against Saint Mary's (Calif.) in February. He followed that up with an impressive performance, getting the victory against No. 20 Missouri after allowing just one run in 8.0 innings of work, striking out five.
 
He helped the Muskies to the Lake Michigan Conference title in his only season at the school, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.86 earned run average. He struck out 32 batters in 30.1 innings of work.
 
*What is your current role/position and how would you describe what you do?
"I work for MolsonCoors Beverage Company in Supply Chain as a Senior Customer Service Analyst in Demand Planning.  I work with our distribution network in the state of Florida to ensure they have inventory on our portfolio of products.  I am also responsible for managing our order set each week for our brewery in Albany, Georgia.  I am responsible for the demand picture in alignment with the breweries production schedule."
 
*How did you first get interested in the career role you are currently in?
"I wanted a career that would challenge me every day and provide opportunities for problem solving.  I also wanted to have a career that worked in data while providing opportunities to collaborate with people.  This role is a great blend of both."  
 
*What has been the most enjoyable part of your current position?
"Definitely the people.  MolsonCoors has some extraordinary individuals who work to get beer to people all over the world.  We are all pulling in the same direction with the same goal in mind: To delight the world's beer drinkers."
 
*What other jobs have you had since graduation that have been influential?
"I've worked at an insurance company in sales, at a civil engineering firm working through environmentally-challenged properties and a marketing analyst at a travel company."
 
*What did you study at UWM and when did you graduate?
"I graduated with a bachelors in Communications in 2007."
 
*What was your favorite class?
"I really enjoyed the speech classes at UWM.  I had an excellent professor in Bill Keith who did a great job of helping me get past my fear of public speaking."
 
*What did you do as an undergrad at UWM that most prepared you for post-graduate job landscape?
"The student-athlete responsibilities were crucial in helping me prepare for life after graduation.  It taught me to manage my time and to prioritize what was important when it came to both education and my athletic responsibilities."
 
*What are your long-term career plans?
"I really enjoy working in supply chain for MolsonCoors.  I'd like to learn about all aspects of supply chain such as supply planning, materials planning and logistics.  Understanding all three aspects at a high level will increase my ability to get beer to our customers around the world." 
 
*What advice would you give to current UWM upperclassmen to prepare them for after graduation?
"Sports are really important.  They teach us about competition and training to be the best every day.  They also teach us the importance of teamwork and leadership.  All those aspects play a part in your life after graduation.  Take that passion you have for the sport you are in and apply it to your professional life.  Challenge yourself every day to learn and experience as much as possible." 
 
*What do you miss most about UWM campus life?
"I miss the union and the Klotsche Center and all the great people who work there to support the students.  The University employs a lot of really great people."
 
*What are your top one or two memories from your days as a UWM student-athlete?
"The number one memory for me was playing against the University of Missouri my junior season.  My mom and dad didn't get to travel to many of our away games, but they made the road trip from Cleveland, Wisconsin, to Columbia, Missouri.  Missouri was ranked in the top 25 when we faced them and I pitched game two of the weekend series. I pitched 8 innings, struck out five and gave up one earned run and we won the game.  I was really happy that my parents were there to experience that with me."