Celebrating 30 Seasons of Women's Golf
30th Thursday
No. 20 | Jennifer Hietala
“I chose Boise [State] because of what the university stood for,” said Jennifer Hietala (Hedberg), a member of the Boise State women’s golf team from 2001-05.
Hietala studied and earned her bachelor’s degree from Boise State in health science followed by receiving her master’s degree in speech language pathology from Idaho State.
While at Idaho State, she earned herself a graduate assistant (GA) spot with the Boise State women’s golf team. Coincidentally, her younger sister Mandi Hedberg, who we celebrated at number 24 in our countdown, joined the Broncos in 2005 when Hietala started her three-year tenure as a GA.
“Playing and coaching the sport that I put so much time and energy into was a great honor,” said Hietala.
Although her playing and coaching days are done at Boise State, Hietala is still remembered today. In the record book, she is tied for fourth in single-season top-10 finishes with four, tied for sixth in single-season top-25 finishes with seven and is seventh in career top-25 finishes with 17.
She made 37 appearances as a Bronco, averaging a score of 79.09. Her lowest round was a 72 and her best finish was eighth place.
In 2008, at the conclusion of her graduate assistantship, Hietala elected to remain in Boise and began working at St. Luke’s Hospital. Today, she still enjoys working at St. Luke’s in the Children Rehab center specializing in pediatric feeding and dysphasia.
The Twin Falls, Idaho native credits Boise State for providing her with many opportunities and fun memories.
Her hole-in-one moment came at Hillcrest Country Club during a team event when she met her husband, Ryan Hietala. He was playing on the Nationwide Tour, which is now the Korn Ferry Tour.
Together, they have two daughters, 9-year-old Izzie and 6-year-old Acie and a dog named Bunker.
“To be a part of something bigger as a student-athlete at Boise State was a privilege,” said Hietala.
