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Whether it was former University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and future NFL linebacker Joel Williams terrorizing opposing offenses in the 1970s or the countless prep athletes who have competed at the WIAA state track and field championships, area fans have been fortunate to witness performances that many just dream about.
How many kids in our area grew up spending fall afternoons pretending to be UW-L and future Green Bay Packers wide receiver Bill Schroeder? I’d also be willing to bet some of the bigger kids pretended to be the Eagles’ offensive lineman Tom Newberry. All Newberry did was destroy absolutely anyone and everyone who lined up in front of him and then spent 10 seasons in the NFL playing for the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers.
But you don’t have to be a football fan to have fond memories.
The sports complex’s history is littered with spectacular track and field performances as well — none more spectacular than UW-L’s 17-time NCAA All-American sprinter Andrew Rock.
No one has ever covered 400 meters faster at the stadium than Rock’s 45.73 seconds in 2003. And, as some of you may recall, his work at UW-L turned into a springboard to winning a gold medal as part of the U.S. 1,600-meter relay team at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics.
Not to be outdone, Holmen High School’s Joanna Schultz undoubtedly has spurred on a generation of girls to chase greatness. At the 2006 state meet, Schultz became Wisconsin’s first four-time champion in two events.
For four years in a row, Schultz captured the Division 1 200- and 400-meter titles. She has since gone on to run at Notre Dame.
The number of athletes who have dazzled us over the years at the stadium is too great to list here. Suffice to say they set the bar very high for future athletes.
I, for one, am looking forward to sitting in what hopefully will be a more comfortable seat while watching future generations chase their dreams.
Performances to remember
MICHAEL BENNETT (Milwaukee Tech High School): Future University of Wisconsin running back and first-round NFL draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings runs the 100-meters in a record 10.33 seconds and 200-meters in a record 20.68 seconds in 1998.
JOANNA SCHULTZ (Holmen High School): At the 2006 WIAA State Track and Field meet at UW-L, the future Notre Dame athlete became Wisconsin’s first four-time high school champion in two events, capturing the Division 1 200- and 400-meter titles from freshman to senior season.
ANDREW ROCK (UW-L): The 17-time NCAA All-American sprinter sets 400-meter record with a time of 45.73 seconds in 2003. Rock eventually won a gold medal as part of the United State’s 1,600-meter relay team at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics.
Bob Krepfle (UW-L): Eagles quarterback throws for a school-record 509 yards in a 28-7 victory over UW-River Falls in 1983.
Andrew Mocadlo (UW-L): Eagles running back rushes for a school-record 391 yards during a 47-33 win over UW-Stout in 2003.
Roger Harring (UW-L): The Eagles’ former head coach thoroughly enjoyed the home-field advantage throughout the years. Harring compiled a 130-31-5 record at home from 1969-99.
Dave Myers can be reached at dave.myers@lee.net.
