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With WIAC trophy in hand, Blue Devils hockey team readies for postseason run

giffeyt — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:30:20 +0000

With WIAC trophy in hand, Blue Devils hockey team readies for postseason rungiffeyt February 25, 2026

After first-ever outright regular season title, ‘calm and composed’ squad aims for conference tourney, potential NCAA trip

Tom Giffey

Level-headed play, strong goaltending, and offensive consistency have all contributed to a season of success for the �� Blue Devil ��. hockey team, including a first-ever outright Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference regular season championship.

Now, the Blue Devils are headed into the WIAC Tournament — and potentially the NCAA Division III tourney — as the No. 10 team in the nation.

“We’ve been a very calm and composed team, both with and without a lead, and that has been very helpful for us. We’ve been able to dig out of some games that we probably would have lost last year,” Head Coach Mike MacDonald explained.

“I would say we have a less emotional team than we’ve had in the past when it comes to the highs and lows of the season,” MacDonald continued. “Becoming a little bit more level-headed has benefited us greatly.”

That ��. not to say the Blue Devils (19-5-1 overall, 12-2-1 in WIAC play) and their fans didn’t celebrate on Feb. 14 when the team beat the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds 3-2 to clinch the regular season title. But even as they hoisted the conference trophy, they were looking ahead to tournament play.

The Blue Devils hoist the regular season conference trophy after beating the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds on Feb. 14. / Owen Segna

“Going into the season, that ��. not necessarily your goal, but it ��. a nice achievement along the way,” junior defenseman Sam Kroon, one of three team captains, said of winning the regular season title. “We know we still have a lot to do and a lot of hard work to come, but it ��. definitely a sign of the work we’ve put in throughout the season.”

By beating the Blugolds in two consecutive games to close the regular season, the Blue Devils clinched their first-ever outright WIAC regular season title. (In 2011, they shared the crown with UW-Superior.) Next comes the WIAC Tournament, which for the Blue Devils begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, against UW-Stevens Point at the Fanetti Ice Center in Menomonie. A win that night will send them to the WIAC title game on March 7, where victory will mean a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 17 years.

Goalie Sebastian Monaco, a freshman, has been a standout for the Blue Devils this season. / Jeremy Cwan

Youth, experience combine for Blue Devils

MacDonald said the team has benefited from both experienced veterans and young talent this season. For example, freshman forward Arhip Sidarovich, from Minski, Belarus, earned WIAC Kwik Trip Men ��. Ice Hockey Player of the Week honors in November and ranked as the team ��. No. 2 scorer. Goalie Sebastian Monaco, a fellow freshman from Caledon, Ontario, was WIAC Player of the Week three times this season, most recently after making 58 saves in a two-game sweep of UW-Superior.

After several seasons of junior hockey in his native Ontario, Monaco knew he had to prove himself to earn a spot in the starting lineup. Likewise, the entire team had something to prove, having finished last season 12-13-2 and being picked fifth in the WIAC in a preseason poll. With help from Monaco ��. high save percentage, the team has beat expectations while building confidence.

“Honestly I think when we play with that attitude, that swagger, it ��. pretty hard to beat us — offensively and defensively,” Monaco said.

“We beat everyone in our league multiple times, going into the playoffs,” MacDonald added. “There isn’t a team out there who has our number this season, and that ��. a very good feeling.”

Defenseman Gunner Moore is one of three captains of the 2025-26 Blue Devil hockey team. / Reese Kupsky

The consistent success has rested on the steady shoulders of the team ��. seniors, including defenseman Gunner Moore and forward Kullan Daikawa, both co-captains, who have had to balance the intensity of both academics and athletics in their final semester.

Moore, a B.S. cybersecurity major from Las Vegas, Nevada, explained that as a senior, most of his coursework comes in the form of group projects that require leadership and teamwork, something he ��. accustomed to from years on the ice. His academic field focuses on problem solving and understanding systems — not to mention playing defense — all skills honed in hockey.

Consider the team ��. strength in penalty kill situations, which leave them temporarily shorthanded. “It might look like chaos to people, but there is a system to it,” Moore said of playing defense in the penalty kill. “It ��. built into my head: ‘This is what ��. going to happen.’”

Daikawa, a B.S. health, wellness & fitness major from Lino Lakes, Minnesota, said his academic field has helped him learn how to strengthen and condition his body and to recover faster after competition. “Everything I learn I try to relate it back to hockey,” he said.

Forward Jake McAlpine advances the puck against the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds on Feb. 14. / Ben Killinger

Prepped for the postseason

The Blue Devils regular-season title gave them a bye in the conference tournament, allowing them a couple of weeks to recover and prepare for the postseason, which begins Feb. 28 against UW-Stevens Point. As six-time NCAA champs, the Pointers can’t be taken lightly — but neither can the surging Blue Devils.

“We just take it one game at a time,” Daikawa said. “We’ve stayed calm through the storm, through the whole season.”

Looking forward to representing �� on a larger stage in the postseason, Moore said he ��. reminded of his experience winning a state hockey championship as a high school sophomore. “It was electric: You’d walk into school and people were so excited for you,” Moore said. “Now I’m at the end of my hockey career, and I’m doing that again. It ��. so fun.”

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Hero Caption: Members of the �� Blue Devils hockey team celebrate after clinching the regular-season WIAC title on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. / Owen Segna

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Breaking ground for polytechnic partnerships: �� top story highlights of 2025

giffeyt — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Breaking ground for polytechnic partnerships: �� top story highlights of 2025 giffeyt January 21, 2026

Heritage Hall renovation, AI innovations, industry-sponsored focus among year ��. notable headlines

It was a year of big things at ��, from breaking ground for the biggest construction project in university history to posting some of the most notable enrollment growth in the Universities of Wisconsin to being chosen as the area ��. Large Business of the Year.

In 2025, Wisconsin ��. �� also earned big accolades, such as being named one of America ��. Best Colleges by Money Magazine for the second year in a row and made big waves by continuing to break down barriers and redefine higher education for the 21st century.

These milestones are just some of the university ��. Stout Story highlights as it looks back at 2025.

Reinvigorating renovations

The university began its fall 2025 semester with a groundbreaking for the long-awaited $144.3 million Heritage Hall renovation project, which will transform the half-century-old building into a cutting-edge educational hub to help meet Wisconsin ��. workforce needs. The project, which is expected to be finished in 2028, will be paid for with funding from the state as well as $13.5 million donated by university supporters, industry partners and alumni.

‘Power of Partnership’: �� celebrates groundbreaking for $144M Heritage Hall renovation

Chancellor, lawmakers, community and campus leaders join to highlight project that will boost Wisconsin workforce

“The renovation of Heritage Hall is a direct reflection of our mission as Wisconsin ��. ��: to provide career-focused, applied learning and research, and industry collaboration that meets the evolving needs of the state ��. workforce and communities,” Chancellor Katherine Frank said.

The campus also looked forward to another major project, a $31.7 million revitalization of the Recreation Complex. Funded through the 2025-27 state budget as well as a record-setting $5 million gift, the renovations are expected to begin this year. And in October, �� celebrated the opening of a $1 million Esports Arena, a new high-tech home for the championship-caliber esports team.

Advances in AI

Artificial intelligence isn’t a stand-alone subject at �� — it ��. been integrated across all programs, a 360-degree approach to create tomorrow ��. AI-ready workforce.

“Equipping students from every major with AI skills is not only important but necessary,” said engineering and technology Assistant Professor Yuan Xing, who is working with applied social science Professor Tina Lee on a cross-disciplinary program focused on an AI-enhanced farming robot.

AI, fully integrated: �� . 360-degree approach to artificial intelligence embeds skills across all programs

‘Equipping students from every major with AI skills is not only important but necessary.’

The university ��. AI Fellows and AI Innovation Committee, led by faculty and staff, ensure AI is embedded into learning, operations and innovation, while directing AI integration, governance, ethics and literacy. Among the many examples of faculty engagement with AI include employing machine learning in engineering and manufacturing processes as well as comparing human and AI-generated written communication.

Assistant Professor Cami Banger, program director of business information technology and digital marketing technology, created a business technology class with AI “baked in,” while Professor Betsy Pudliner used AI-driven prompts to transform hospitality industry experiences into interactive online course content.

Meanwhile, a $647,000 grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation will allow �� . Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Artificial Intelligence – CAM-AI – to provide advanced manufacturing and AI support to small- and medium-sized manufacturers.

Upgrading STEMM spaces

The completion of a two-year, $7.4 million renovation project ensured that labs in the Jarvis Hall Technology Wing provide the technology, accessibility and visibility necessary for students to succeed in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management.

Some of the new equipment in labs in both Jarvis and Fryklund halls — including production-level 3D printers, a fully-integrated automated manufacturing system and more — was funded through a $3.1 million donation from the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation. The gift was the result of an ongoing partnership between �� and the Wanek family and their business, Ashley Furniture Industries, based in Arcadia.

Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation donation transforms labs with advanced manufacturing equipment

Machinery for automated manufacturing, 3D printing and more will impact thousands of students’ polytechnic experiences

Such campus labs create space for innovation, such as work by Associate Professor Kevin MacDonald, director of the B.S. construction management program, and his students to create innovative low-carbon concrete using blast-furnace slag, which was tested in April in a campus project.

Labs also provide workspaces for students like mechanical engineering senior Heidi Benningfield, who received more than tuition and an internship through the U.S. military ��. SMART Scholarship program. After graduation, she ��. guaranteed a job with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in Huntsville, Alabama.

Other students brought research on optimizing plant growth through the use of robotics to the national stage, while a faculty-student collaboration created software for making better 3D models of priceless objects in museums from Minneapolis to Amsterdam.

Degree and university programs honored

�� and its programs continued to rake in top rankings in 2025. Princeton Review listed �� . undergraduate game design programs, which include the B.F.A. game design and development and B.S. computer science – game design concentration, No. 5 in the Midwest and No. 24 worldwide.

�� . game design programs ranked among international best by Princeton Review

Side gigs at Roblox, Respawn strengthen students’ skills; Stout Game Expo on May 8

�� . Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity was named a Top 25 Best Value Cybersecurity Degree Bachelor ��. Program in the U.S. by Programs.com, the only Wisconsin program on the list. And U.S. News and World Report said �� had some of the Best Online Programs in the nation, including the M.S. manufacturing engineering online (Top 20 in the Midwest), the M.S. education online (Top 45 in the Midwest), and the B.S. management and leadership online (Top 15 in the Midwest).

University programs also garnered state and national honors, with the Grow, Persist, Succeed on-campus job program earning an Academic Staff Excellence Award from the Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents and the Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute receiving the annual W.F. Faulkes Award from the National Rehabilitation Association for its nearly 60 years of helping tens of thousands of Americans with disabilities.

High-ranking services for veterans

For veterans and active military students, �� was named to the 2025 Best for Vets Colleges list by Military Times for its commitment to serving veterans and their families, ranking first in Wisconsin among traditional and online universities.

Serving those who served: �� among top 25 in Midwest on annual Best for Vets list

University lauded by Military Times for services to veterans, their families

The university was also honored as a Military Friendly® School. Its silver designation marked the 16th consecutive year the university was named a Military Friendly® School for its efforts to offer service and support to meet the needs of military students. It was also named a 2025-26 Military Spouse Friendly School.

Army ROTC Northwoods Battalion students learn leadership theory, time management skills, basic soldier skills, map reading and other skills from experienced Army leaders. �� has a long-standing agreement with the Air Force ROTC program at University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul – a unique agreement among Wisconsin universities – that allows students to enroll in Air Force ROTC classes while completing their degrees.

Top design awards

While ��'s School of Art & Design celebrated its 60th anniversary, students from across degree programs celebrated top wins in state, national and international competitions.

Interior design senior Khendra Thompson rose to the challenge at the 12th Annual Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition and won with her design of a 16,000-square-foot workplace spread across two floors in a Chicago office building, beating four other finalists from a field that began with 1,600 students from across the continent.

Interior design student tops international field to win Steelcase competition

Interior design majors who entered the 12th Annual Steelcase NEXT Student Design Competition faced a lofty challenge.

To address the concern of microplastics in food and water, Master of Fine Arts in design student Ashley Jandro created a social awareness campaign called “MicroWhat?,” for which she received a Student – Integrated Consumer Campaign Silver Pin at the Minnesota AdFed awards, sponsored by the Advertising Federation of Minnesota.

A team of four packaging students won first place among university teams from around the globe in the 2025 International Molded Fiber Association Student Competition. They created a sustainable packaging solution for a waffle iron, previously packaged in polystyrene, and replaced the components with molded fiber.

The claustrophobic, cooperative game Dread Not, in which players try to survive a sinking submarine, won the award for Best Student Entry at M+DEV, the largest game industry conference in the Midwest. Dread Not was developed by a team of 15 game design students.

With a design inspired by her adventures with her black lab, Max, studio art major Jaelyn Logterman won the 2026 Wisconsin State Park and Forest vehicle admission pass design contest, announced by the state ��. Department of Natural Resources.

Students lending a Helping Hand

Two interior design students are working to ensure their peers have a more efficient, comfortable and warm experience at Helping Hand Food+ Pantry, the university ��. student pantry. Emma Walstra and Klaire Johnson, project co-leads, reimagined the pantry space to create an “atmosphere that reflects the care �� places in serving its students.”

Interior design program partners with Helping Hand pantry to highlight ‘essential campus resource’

Student design team reimagines pantry space to ensure peers have comfortable, warm experience

In a cross-disciplinary collaboration, four groups of students in a Light Construction Methods class built two raised garden beds, one raised tool bench and one raised tool holder for The Neighbors of Dunn County, a senior living home. The project was part of a service-learning activity and was launched last summer during a new STEAM camp for high school students.

A team of animation and digital media students collaborated with Dunn County Humane Society to develop a public service announcement as part of the Animation Production junior capstone class. Their 72-second 2D animated film, “Stray,” was created to help advocate for pet adoption. The informative short features Bow, a stray orange tabby cat rescued during Wisconsin ��. bitter winter.

Industry-sponsored projects are standard practice

Arcadia-based Ashley Furniture sponsored multiple engineering student projects in 2025. A team of students, including Inspiring Graduates Luke Mertens and Zachary Morgan, designed an innovative nonstandard pallet stacker. Ashley Manufacturing Engineer Erik Kramer, the team ��. project manager, said, “The �� team built a better system, a better product for us. Now, with the team ��. documentation, our automation team can replicate their functional design to build six more stackers for our facilities.”

All stacked up: Ashley Furniture-sponsored project results in ‘better product’ developed by engineering seniors

Student team builds functional nonstandard pallet stacker to be implemented, replicated in company ��. facilities

Students also developed toolless bed connections for Ashley and worked in eight cross-disciplinary groups to research market trends, ideate preliminary designs, test materials and build professional prototypes. The class traveled to Ashley for a tour of the facility and to present their prototypes to the R&D team.

Packaging faculty and student research is poised to help Madison-based Tricky Foods deliver its tasty but temperature-sensitive charcuterie boards coast to coast. Associate Professor Kate Liu of �� . packaging program worked with Tricky Foods to test the insulating abilities of two eco-friendly packaging options – one made of cornstarch, the other of recycled paper.

Three industrial and product design students were awarded a cash prize by Room & Board in exchange for the rights to produce their designs if they choose. The senior’ project focused on storage solutions for media, dining, living, entry, bathroom and kitchen systems.

Blue Devil athletes excelling

The �� Blue Devil women ��. basketball team ��. Cinderella run to the Final Four last March marked the team ��. best-ever performance in the NCAA Division III National Tournament. They completed their historic season with a 23-8 record, going 10-4 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference. Senior Raegen Sorensen became ��'s all-time leading scorer with 1,754 career points.

Blue Devil women ��. basketball makes history in Cinderella run to the Final Four

Records set in tenacious battle against undefeated, defending champions NYU

Gymnast Jamie Beatty delivered a historic performance at the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association National Championships, capturing national titles in both the all-around and the uneven bars and being named WIAC Newcomer of the Year.

The inaugural women ��. flag football team hoisted the Midwest College Women ��. Flag Football League Championship trophy at the Minnesota Vikings’ TCO Performance Center in April. �� was a founding member of the collegiate league, which was kickstarted with support from the Vikings.

Women ��. golf took the WIAC conference championship, where they triumphed by a near-record margin. Sophomore Julia Imai and junior Brin Neumann placed first and second individually.

Blue Devils football made history at Bank of Sun Prairie Stadium, earning the program ��. first-ever postseason victory with a 31-23 win over Washington University in the Culver's Isthmus Bowl. �� finishes the season 6-5 for their second straight winning season.

Officer Harvey: University Police therapy-dog-in-training is already warming hearts

The newest police officer at the University of Wisconsin-Stout is also the department ��. furriest.

BONUS: Introducing Officer Harvey

Officer Harvey, a therapy dog in training, joined ��'s University Police as its newest member in March. Once Harvey is fully trained, he will serve University Police by assisting people experiencing mental health crises as well as victims of crime and will help the department bridge the gap with members of the community, said University Police Chief Gregory Kalosis.

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Heritage Hall renovation, AI innovations, industry-sponsored focus among year ��. notable headlines Dignitaries with shovels at Heritage Hall groundbreaking

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�� women ��. golf outpaces field to win conference crown, sets eyes on national tourney

giffeyt — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 01:00:00 +0000

�� women ��. golf outpaces field to win conference crown, sets eyes on national tourneygiffeyt October 15, 2025

Blue Devils win first WIAC title since 2016, earn NCAA bid

Tom Giffey

The �� women ��. golf team ��. victory this month at the conference championship, where they triumphed by a near-record margin, isn’t the culmination of a season: It ��. a sign of things to come for a young, focused and talented Blue Devils team.

Sophomore Julia Imai and junior Brin Neumann placed first and second individually at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference Championship Oct. 3-5 at the Reedsburg Country Club in Reedsburg, topping the leaderboard and driving the Blue Devils to a 48-stroke victory over runner-up UW-Whitewater, the eight-time defending champions. It was the fourth conference title for the Blue Devils, who last won the WIAC crown in 2016, as well as Imai ��. second individual championship.

It was also the second consecutive season that Head Coach Sophia Connett was named WIAC Coach of the Year. At this year ��. WIAC tournament the Blue Devils managed their emotions — and their play — better than they had the previous year, when they came within nine strokes of the title, Connett said.

Golf Coach Sophia Connett with her second consecutive Coach of the Year award. / Steve Frommell

“This year we made it our main focus to address our fears and nerves and just go in with the killer mindset, which I’d say was exemplified by our margin,” Connett said, noting the team took a 19-stroke lead on the first day of this year ��. championship and didn’t look back.

“After day one we had a chat with the girls about staying focused and keeping the same mindset even though we were winning by that much,” Connett continued. “We just wanted to go and do the exact same thing again, and we did.”

Because of the split nature of the college golf season, the Conference Championship wasn’t the end of the road for this year ��. Blue Devil golfers: Barely a week later they finished fifth in a field of 24 teams from across the country at the Golfweek October Classic in Sandestin, Florida, where Imai tied for second place among 120 players. The team will now take a break until spring, when they will begin the second half of the 2025-26 season, culminating in a trip to the NCAA Championship May 19-22 in Palm Desert, California.

“Having nationals in May makes the spring season a little bit more focused and a little bit more competitive, which I would say is exciting for all of us,” Connett said.

Blue Devil sophomore Julia Imai placed first at the 2025 WIAC Championship. / Steve Frommell

‘Championship mentality’ lauded

“We are incredibly proud of our women ��. golf team for winning the WIAC Championship,” said Erin Sullivan, �� director of Athletics and Recreation. “Their unwavering focus and championship mentality were evident throughout the tournament. This marks our first championship of the academic year, and it sets a strong tone for the months ahead. We look forward to supporting the team as they prepare for the national championship in May. They continue to represent �� and Stout Athletics with excellence and pride.”

The championship is the latest in a string of athletic successes for �� women, including the basketball team ��. trip to the NCAA Division III Final Four last spring and the flag football team ��. victory in the first-ever Midwest College Women ��. Flag Football League Championship.

Fit to a tee: New Pat Kell Golf Center perfect match for Blue Devil teams, golf management majors

Women ��. and men ��. golf team members and students majoring in golf enterprise management have a new, high-tech playing and learning hub at ��.

Andrew Delong, �� director of golf, said the women ��. golf program has been building toward a WIAC championship over the past few seasons. “To fight for a goal and finally see it accomplished is tremendously rewarding,” Delong said. “Achievements like this take a whole community. While our student athletes played exceptionally and deserve the spotlight, the contributions of so many others in and around Menomonie cannot be overlooked.”

In particular, Delong credited Tanglewood Greens, a Menomonie golf course, for providing access to help players develop their skills, as well as the flexibility that �� instructors give to student athletes during the season. Donors are also critical to the program ��. success, Delong said.

“The Pat Kell Golf Center, our indoor facility made possible by Mike Kell and his family, has given our players an incredible space to train over the winter months,” he added. “Finally, the support and pride demonstrated by Chancellor Katherine Frank and our upper administration is contagious and our golfers carry it out on the course.”

Coaches and team members celebrated the conference championship in Reedsburg. / Steve Frommell

Competing at a high level

Imai and Neumann — who finished with three-round scores of 230 and 233 respectively — were part of a strong �� squad at the WIAC Championship, where all five players ended in the top nine, including junior Ashleigh Johnson and senior Hallie Tulip, who tied for fifth at 239, and freshman Sarah Chaffee, who placed ninth with a score of 242.

In just her third season as head coach, Connett said she has been able to form a team with strong bonds on and off the course. “Pretty quickly we got a bunch of girls that I would say all share the same mindset,” she explained. “They all want to work hard. They all want to get better. They all want to compete at a high level.”

And they certainly have competed at a high level. Consider Imai, who was chosen as WIAC Golfer of the Year and WIAC Newcomer of the Year last season as a freshman.

“I’ve always felt that if I do good for myself it ��. good for the team,” said Imai, a food science major from Brookline, Massachusetts. “What ��. best for me is best for the team.”

Reflecting on last year ��. second-place WIAC finish, Imai added: “Knowing where we were last year, being so close as a team, and then just to be able to actually compete all three days and take home the win, that was very fulfilling for us.”

Neumann added that competing at the WIAC Championship was different from taking part in other tournaments. “When you go to conference and you’re representing Stout, you’re playing for the entire school,” said Neumann, a professional and technical communication major from Warrens. “It ��. such a big privilege that out of the whole university population, we get to go out and do that.”

And representing �� in an overwhelming victory was particularly satisfying, Neumann added. “People asked me, ‘Oh, wouldn’t you want a closer finish?’ And I said, ‘Heck no,’” she laughed.

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Blue Devils win first WIAC title since 2016, earn NCAA bid Women's golf team at WIAC Championship

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Hero Caption: The �� women's golf team celebrates their victory at the WIAC Championship. / Photo by Steve Frommell

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Menomonie Culver ��., Brewery Nonic special events support Blue Devils at homecoming

goersab — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:20:00 +0000

Menomonie Culver ��., Brewery Nonic special events support Blue Devils at homecominggoersab October 13, 2025

Fundraisers, family-oriented activities, athletic events set for alumni, community Oct. 23-25

Abbey Goers

Mosey on over to downtown Menomonie to celebrate �� . 2025 homecoming, Thursday, Oct. 23, to Saturday, Oct. 25. As students saddle up for a “Way Stout West” homecoming theme, alumni, supporters, and community members anticipate the annual parade and football game on Saturday.

The community is also invited to two special events supporting students, in collaboration with Menomonie Culver ��. and Brewery Nonic, as well as two open house labs to experience the university ��. polytechnic advantage.

All events are open to the public. Registration is open on the homecoming site. �� staff will be available at the homecoming welcome table Oct. 24, 1 to 4:30 p.m., and Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Clock Tower Plaza, to provide more details about events happening around campus.

This year marks �� . 109th homecoming, with its first homecoming held in 1917.

Special events to support students

For the second year in a row, Menomonie Culver ��. has created a homecoming flavor for ��. Menomonie Culver ��. will have a Western-themed Flavor of the Day on Friday, Oct. 24, and 100% of Flavor of the Day sales will go to support the Student Success Fund.

Building on this spirit of community and support is a special collaboration with Brewery Nonic, owned by alum Ryan Verdon (’13). Together, �� and Brewery Nonic are debuting a limited-edition homecoming brew, available in apple ale and blueberry ale.

The initiative is more than a specialty beverage; it ��. a way for alumni, friends and community members to support �� students. With the purchase of a signature homecoming glass, guests will receive a free drink ticket, and 50% of proceeds will benefit the StoutProud Fund. This fund directly supports �� . strategic priorities, enhancing the student experience.

Glasses can be purchased online and picked up at the following:

Prehomecoming celebration: Thursday, Oct. 16, 5 to 7 p.m. (Brewery Nonic)
Homecoming welcome table: Oct. 24, 1 to 4:30 p.m. (Clock Tower Plaza)
Homecoming welcome table: Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (Clock Tower Plaza)

Alumni connections with brewing and distilling run deep, with faculty and students collaborating for years on applied learning projects ranging from product packaging and design to biochemistry research using brewer ��. yeast.

�� also offers a new collaborative Beer, Cheese and Kombucha for Beginners course, attracting those interested in making their own food and beverages. Check out additional Continuing Education and Conferences opportunities.

Homecoming parade and community events on Saturday

Saturday will start with some preparade fun at the Stout Clock Tower Party from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the Bowman Hall Clock Tower Plaza, with face painting, balloon art, yard games and more. All ages are welcome.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. at 10th Avenue E. and Broadway Street S. The route goes through downtown and then south on Third Street E. through campus toward the Sports and Fitness Center, ending at 13th Avenue. Watch the parade livestream on YouTube.

A self-guided �� Landmark Walking Tour is available. Two open house labs will be held: a Golf Simulator Demo from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Pat Kell Golf Center, Recreation Complex room 25; and an Esports Lab Demo from noon to 2 p.m., in the brand-new Esports Arena, Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center room 111.

New this year, Downtown Menomonie is hosting the Downtown Fall Frolic, from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Shop sidewalk sales, get one-day-only deals at downtown shops and enter a free raffle to win Downtown Menomonie experience packages.

Athletics and recreation events

University Recreation ��. annual Blue Devil Glow Run is a 2-mile fun run/walk on Oct. 23, beginning at Williams Stadium, winding through campus and ending on the outdoor track. Registration begins at 7 p.m., and runners will take off at 8 p.m.

Cheer on the Blue Devils at two games on Oct. 25. Purchase tickets at the games, or watch the Blue Devils’ games online on the WIAC Network.

Softball Alumni Game: 9 a.m. (Alumni Field)
Football vs. UW-Stevens Point: 1 p.m. (Williams Stadium)

Alumni events

Two special events for alumni are planned. The �� Alumni Awards Celebration will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 24, in the Memorial Student Center ballrooms. Purchase a ticket to attend. �� will recognize these distinguished alumni and supporters:

Distinguished Alumni Award: Gene Hallongren, a retired counselor, teacher and administrator at College of DuPage and DeVry University
Trailblazer Alumni Award: Leslie Barlow, a visual artist, educator and cultural worker
Luminary Alumni Award: Greg Else, director of Monitoring and Controls, Individual and Family Markets, with Health Care Service Corporation
Chancellor ��. Award: Dean Weidner, founder and chairman of Weidner Apartment Homes, headquartered in Kirkland, Washington
University Partner Award: Great Northern Corporation, headquartered in Appleton

On Oct. 25, Breakfast at the Buck features a breakfast for alumni from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Silver Dollar, 315 Main St. E. Register online.

Western-themed events for students

Blue Devil Productions is hosting student events all week long, centered around this year ��. theme “Way Stout West.”

Students will kick off the week on Oct. 20, with a Culver ��. Custard Social, followed by the annual Soapbox Derby, featuring student-made cars. Judging begins at 3:30 p.m. on the Memorial Student Center south lawn. The race is set to start afterward on the corner of Second Street W. and Wilson Avenue.

“Stout ��. Favorite Pizza” invites students to taste-test five local pizzerias and vote for their favorite. Students can also play glow-in-the-dark bingo, join a lip sync battle and a chalking competition. Weeklong events include a banner competition, a medallion hunt, and a food drive to support Helping Hand Food+ Pantry, the student food pantry on campus.

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February 25, 2026

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February 25, 2026

Year of Design celebration central to ��'s spring 2026 event schedule

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February 11, 2026

Fundraisers, family-oriented activities, athletic events set for alumni, community Oct. 23-25 �� homecoming football game

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Championship �� esports program levels up with new $1M arena

giffeyt — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Championship �� esports program levels up with new $1M arenagiffeyt October 1, 2025

Teams begin play in state-of-the-art space funded with Foundation gift

Tom Giffey

�� . new $1 million Esports Arena is a real-world example of the expanding impact and importance of virtual sports.

In just five years, �� . esports program has grown into a championship-caliber varsity sport with a highly visible, state-of-the-art space for competitors and fans alike. Previously located in a former classroom in Heritage Hall, the esports program now practices and competes in a brand-new arena on the first floor of the Robert S. Swanson Library & Learning Center.

The arena, which was made possible by a $1 million donation from the �� Foundation & Alumni Association and donors, will be celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 2.

“Our esports teams have already experienced significant success and growth, and I know that this amazing facility will continue to support our student athletes and the education of other students from a range of academic programs,” Chancellor Katherine Frank said.

The new 1,900-square-foot space is designed for gamers and spectators alike. In addition to rows of 34 high-end gaming PCs — 10 of which are on a competition stage at the front of the room — the area features comfortable seating for teammates and spectators, stylish design features such as recessed lighting and textured walls, huge monitors to watch the action, and a streaming booth where hosts can provide commentary for online audiences (who can follow the team at twitch.tv/StoutEsports).

Coach Aaron Froelich congratulates a competitor in the new Esports Arena.

�� is an esports trailblazer

�� esports is part of the Wisconsin Esports Conference, which includes teams from 22 Wisconsin schools, including public and private universities and technical colleges. The program has just under 40 students on its roster, divided into five varsity teams — competing in Overwatch, Valorant, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. and Marvel Rivals — and one “Academy” team, the equivalent of a junior varsity squad.

Head Coach Aaron Froelich, who is starting his third academic year with the esports program, said the new arena raises the program ��. profile on campus and among peer institutions.

“Something that ��. really special about this new place is that it allows us to have more team camaraderie within our different game titles,” Froelich said. “I like to compare it either to an athletic department or a track and field team, where you’ve got all these subdivisions within it. Previously we didn’t have a lot of cross-pollination between those rosters.”

In 2020, �� became the first public university in Wisconsin to launch a varsity esports program, which since then has built a tradition of success: Last spring, the Marvel Rivals team won the Wisconsin Esports Conference Championship and placed fifth in the nation across all divisions, while the program won the Wisconsin Valorant Summit LAN championship in 2024. Starting this fall, �� has a new and thriving Esports Club with more than 100 members.

Gaming and esports are also represented academically at ��, which offers a B.F.A. game design and development-art, a B.S. computer science with a game design and development concentration, a minor in esports coaching, and certificates in both esports management and esports production.

Assistant Professor Michael Bird of the kinesiology, health, food and nutritional sciences department said he expects the new arena will give the esports coaching minor a boost.

“The new Esports Arena allows our esports coaching students the ability to interact and coach with the teams, therefore aligning with �� . polytechnic mission,” said Bird, who serves as advisor for the esports coaching minor.

“Recruitment of students and esports athletes will be enhanced by the new facility,” Bird added. “It will provide opportunities to showcase the student athlete experience and also attract nongamers who want to work on the production and sports management side of the events.”

�� esports competitors practice inside the new arena.

Reaching the top of the leaderboard

Also launching this fall is a B.S. game and media studies program, which will give students the communication, research and leadership skills to work with cross-disciplinary teams creating interactive multimedia experiences, said Associate Professor Cody Reimer, the program director.

“Our program acts as the third leg of a tripod alongside game design and development programs in art and computer science,” Reimer said. “Whereas the B.F.A in art trains artists and animators, and the emphasis in game design in the B.S. in computer science trains programmers, our program focuses on all the other knowledge necessary to study, create and understand games and other media.”

Reimer called the new Esports Arena a “natural extension” of �� . efforts to grow and support a culture of gaming that aligns with the university ��. polytechnic mission.

“The gaming industry, including esports, is not a fledgling subculture anymore,” he said. “The creation of this arena represents institutional recognition and investment that puts Stout and our esports teams at the top of the leaderboards. It means opportunities for not just student athletes and coaches, but also for academic programs.”

The esports industry is growing in terms of both spectators and financial impact. According to recent research, the global esports audience is expected to reach 640 million people this year, while global esports revenue is estimated to be $4.8 billion.

Head Coach Aaron Froelich cuts a ribbon at the formal unveiling of the Esports Arena on Oct. 2, 2025.

Championship-level environment

Esports team members say their new hub will help the program level up by providing a more spacious, welcoming and visible environment.

“I think it ��. going to help a lot with the recruiting side,” said Trey Johnson, a junior from Barron and a member of the Rocket League Academy team. “We’re going to have more people here in person. It ��. going to be a lot more inviting to have people come in and practice.”

The esports program ��. previous space didn’t have enough computers to accommodate multiple teams at one time, which meant players sometimes had to practice in their residence halls instead of building strategy side by side with teammates.

Likewise, the new space makes hosting esports competitions easier:It will be the site of an Oct. 18 Rocket League tournament, the Red Cedar Rumble, whose eight teams will include Michigan State and the University of Minnesota. The arena will also host the WEC State Championship in December, which will draw as many as 20 teams.

“One of my goals is to become one of the premier hosting sites in Wisconsin but also in the Midwest,” explained Froelich.

Cody Larkin, a junior from Hanover, Minnesota, and a member of �� . Overwatch team, agrees that the new arena raises the program ��. profile. Larkin has witnessed this firsthand as a campus tour guide. “We actually get to walk through the arena, and so many people are interested in it,” he said. “They get to see it and say, ‘Oh my gosh, this is cool.’”

Froelich said the new arena helps dispel any lingering stereotypes about esports athletes being little more than casual gamers. “We’re out here, we’re competing and representing the university,” he said. “Our players practice as a team for 15 to 20 hours a week and put in a ton of time on their own to hone their craft.

“They take it extremely seriously,” he concluded. “They’re highly competitive.”

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Blue Devil student athletes make every day ‘game day’

goersab — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 16:03:51 +0000

Blue Devil student athletes make every day ‘game day’goersab August 14, 2025

Fall sports report back to campus early, looking forward to successful seasons

Abbey Goers

�� is gearing up for the start of the 2025-26 academic year and is already welcoming some student groups to campus.

Blue Devil fall athletes are reporting to their sports camps, including more than 300 soccer, volleyball, cross country, tennis, golf, dance, and cheer athletes, as well as the 152-player-strong football team that reported to camp on Aug. 13.

Season tickets for the 2025 Blue Devils fall sports seasons are on sale.

“This is my favorite time of the year. It is great to start seeing student athletes fill the Recreation Complex, the campus and the community. It means we are ready to go for another year and see what we can achieve,” said Director of Athletics and Recreation Erin Sullivan.

“Sports are typically something easy to get behind, so it ��. always nice to see the support we get from the campus community. Our Athletics Department and the student athletes really do appreciate it,” added Sullivan, a 20-year veteran of Blue Devil Athletics, who began as director this summer.

For Blue Devils, every day is ‘game day’

Student athletes move into their assigned residence halls, and each sport participates in team building activities and practice, meetings, film sessions and weightlifting. They often use their leadership and team-building skills that they learn from their sport in other campus activities and student organizations as well.

Football Head Coach Clayt Birmingham is looking forward to building off of last year ��. success, evaluating newcomers, and “simply being around our guys.”

“Our goals and expectations never change – to win at everything we do in life, on and off the field. Every day is ‘Game Day,’” he said.

Last season, Blue Devil ��. football went 6-5, and 4-3 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Their season concluded with a 32-35 fall to Wheaton College in the Culver ��. Isthmus Bowl. Eleven players received 12 spots on the All-WIAC team.

Women ��. soccer Head Coach Marcos Rogriguez is excited to see how the team bounces back this fall. The roster has 34 players, including a strong returning group and 10 incoming players.

“The biggest goal we have is to compete day in and day out, giving our best effort each day. I want them to set high goals for themselves, including making the playoffs and to see where it goes from there. This group is fully capable of reaching that goal,” Rodriguez said.

Recreation Complex Renovation

A new renovated recreation complex to improve the student experience with expanded, improved fitness and recreation space.

The Recreation Complex renovation is an investment in Blue Devils’ health and wellness, and was endorsed by students, athletes, coaches and administration. The project will include a new entrance and addition to increase recreational fitness space, a multiuse gym, relocation of the weight room to create space for three multiuse studio gyms, and expanded locker rooms and restrooms to improve convenience, privacy and accessibility. Construction could begin in early 2026 and finish in 2027, pending enumeration in the state ��. capital budget.

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Sullivan aims for ‘championship culture’ as �� . new Director of Athletics

giffeyt — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 14:34:23 +0000

Sullivan aims for ‘championship culture’ as �� . new Director of Athleticsgiffeyt June 24, 2025

Longtime athletic administrator will take reins from Naatz on July 1

Tom Giffey

Erin Sullivan, a 20-year veteran of Blue Devil Athletics, will become University of Wisconsin-Stout ��. next director of Athletics and Recreation on July 1, 2025.

Sullivan, who has served as deputy director of Athletics since 2022, will fill the vacancy left by Duey Naatz, who announced his retirement earlier this year. Sullivan was hired following a national search, Chancellor Katherine Frank announced this week.

“With a proven record of leadership and a deep commitment to student-athlete success, Erin will be instrumental in fostering a championship culture at ��,” Frank said. “Her vision aligns perfectly with our goal to achieve excellence in competition, while also developing well-rounded individuals who excel both on and off the field. Together, we will continue to elevate our programs and create an environment where every student-athlete can reach their full potential academically and athletically at our polytechnic university.”

Sullivan holds an M.S. in education from �� and a B.S. in sport management from UW-Parkside, where she competed on the basketball team. She credits her participation in the 2023-24 cohort of the NCAA Pathway Program, a yearlong initiative designed to prepare senior-level athletics administrators for their next career steps, with equipping her for her new job.

Incoming Director of Athletics and Recreation Erin Sullivan

“I’m honored to step into this role and lead the Athletics and Recreation Department at ��,” Sullivan said. “I want to thank Chancellor Katherine Frank, Search Chair and Dean of Students Sandi Scott, and the entire hiring committee for their trust and support. I’m also deeply grateful to Duey Naatz for his mentorship and guidance throughout my journey to this point – his support has been instrumental in helping me grow both personally and professionally. �� is a special place to me, and I firmly believe in our polytechnic values. I look forward to building on our strong foundation, advancing a defined championship culture, and continuing to enhance the student-athlete experience every step of the way.”

Naatz, who will officially retire in September, lauded Sullivan as “the best deputy athletic director and teammate in the country.”

“I believe there are still lots of opportunities to continue to grow the Blue Devil family under Erin ��. leadership, and I plan to help in whatever way I can through the transition this summer and into the future,” he said.

Sullivan, a native of Cadott, first came to �� as assistant women ��. basketball coach for four seasons, from 2003-07. During that period, the Blue Devils won three WIAC titles and advanced three times to the NCAA Division III playoffs. After a brief departure from campus, Sullivan returned to become assistant athletic director for six years (2008-14) and then served eight years (2014-22) as associate athletic director. She has also served as senior woman administrator since 2014.

In her current role as deputy athletic director, Sullivan ��. responsibilities include internal operations within the athletic department including budget management, event management, facilities, camps and clinics, and athletics communication.

As she takes the helm as the 10th athletic director in �� history, Sullivan says she is excited for future Blue Devil athletic successes.

“I’m excited to continue working alongside our student-athletes, coaches and staff,” she added. “With a strong foundation in place, it ��. time to believe in our collective potential and pursue excellence on and off the field.”

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Breaking gridiron ground: �� triumphs in first-ever women ��. flag football league sponsored by Minnesota Vikings

giffeyt — Tue, 06 May 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Breaking gridiron ground: �� triumphs in first-ever women ��. flag football league sponsored by Minnesota Vikingsgiffeyt May 6, 2025

Blue Devils finish with 8-3 record, becomes first four-year university in Wisconsin to field a sponsored team

Tom Giffey

Just a handful of months after being recruited for a brand-new team in a brand-new league, the members of the University of Wisconsin-Stout ��. flag football team hoisted a championship trophy April 26 on the field at the Minnesota Vikings’ TCO Performance Center.

The history-making nature of their victory in the Midwest College Women ��. Flag Football League Championship was not lost on �� players or coaches, who grabbed the opportunity to join the Vikings-sponsored league and ran it right into the end zone.

“I think it ��. something that we’re going to look back on and be in awe that we were part of the first flag football season,” said student assistant coach Rosella Wille. “We’re going to look back and tell our daughters and granddaughters, ‘That was us.’”

It was a joyous ending to the team ��. 8-3 season in the new league, which includes six universities from the Upper Midwest. �� was the sole competitor from Wisconsin, putting the school at the vanguard of a rapidly growing sport as the first four-year university in the state to field an officially sponsored team.

Quarterback Allison Letcher looks to pass.

Few of the 24 women on the Blue Devils squad had previous experience playing organized football, but they demonstrated plenty of athletic talent – not surprising, considering most have taken part in other varsity or club sports teams on campus.

The team was quarterbacked by senior Allison Letcher, also a member of the women ��. basketball team, which reached the NCAA Division III Final Four in March just weeks before the first flag football game. Other players came with experience in gymnastics, soccer, softball, golf, rugby and track, but they bonded quicky as they learned football fundamentals.

“It was all so much fun – the energy around it,” said junior running back Anna Odisho, also a member of the varsity soccer team. “It happened so fast, and everyone was all-in on it.”

“Every moment leading up to that was memorable,” fellow running back Adalyn Lehman said of the championship game against Augustana University. “There was so much joy that whole day.”

Blue Devil players watch from the sidelines during the inaugural Midwest College Women ��. Flag Football League Championship.

Blue Devils blaze a trail

About a year ago, �� Athletic Director Duey Naatz became part of a conversation about forming a women ��. flag football league that involved other universities in the region as well as both the Vikings and Green Bay Packers. Ultimately, the Vikings committed $140,000 to kick-start the collegiate league, and by the beginning of the academic year �� was finalizing plans for a team and starting to recruit players on campus.

“It worked because of the Vikings’ support and their communication,” said Naatz, Stout ��. onetime varsity football coach who returned to the sidelines to lead the flag football team. “We knew it was a reality, and that we wanted to be a part of it.”

While flag football isn’t yet an official NCAA sport, it ��. expected to be designated an “emerging sport” for women by the NCAA next year. As such, �� made the decision to treat flag football as a varsity team, Naatz said.

“We wanted to be a leader in providing opportunities in our state, so having it as part of our sports module was important to us,” he said.

The league – whose other founding members are Augustana, Concordia College Moorhead, Gustavus Adolphus College, Bethel University and the University of Northwestern, St. Paul – was officially announced in March, and practices began soon after.

Members of �� . squad said they joined the team for the chance to play a sport they loved but had rarely – if ever – had a chance to play.

Coach Duey Naatz, right, speaks with players on the sidelines, including Halle Maki-Waller, center.

“I joined rugby because I loved football and it was the closest thing I could get to it, so flag football was a no-brainer for me,” said senior receiver Halle Maki-Waller, a member of the school ��. rugby team, a club sport.

“Every game was a learning experience, and we were learning the rules alongside the other teams and the coaches and the refs,” Maki-Waller said.

Lehman, a graduate student who was part of the track and field team during her undergraduate career at University of Minnesota Duluth, hadn’t planned on joining an organized sport at ��. That changed when she saw a poster advertising the new team. She soon found a strong camaraderie with the other players as they drilled on the game ��. fundamentals.

While in many ways similar to standard football, flag football has certain significant differences – most notably, tackling is replaced by pulling off one of the flags worn around a player ��. waist. Games are 30 minutes long and are played with five players on a side, and the offense must make it to midfield within their first four downs, then reach the end zone within another four plays.

Lehman credits the experienced coaching staff and the team ��. focus on building skills with their early success. “I think it gave us an advantage because we worked on fundamentals first, so then in our first jamboree we did so much better than the other teams,” Lehman said.

The Blue Devils won the two games they played in their debut jamboree on April 5 in St. Paul, then went 2-2 during a jamboree they hosted on campus at Williams Stadium on April 12.

Two weeks later, they traveled to the Vikings’ state-of-the-art training facility in Eagan, Minnesota, for the league ��. double-elimination championship tournament.

Blue Devil Anna Mutch runs the ball during the April 26 championship.

Team bounced back in final game

Wille, the student coach, said the team tackled the challenges of a new sport while bonding quickly over the course of a relatively brief season. “They faced adversity really well. Anything that came their way, they just ran through a wall,” she said.

At the final tournament, the Blue Devils were seeded fourth in the six-team field, so they knew they had something to prove. As the day progressed, they beat Augustana, Augsburg, and Concordia College to reach the championship bracket. There they again faced the Augustana Vikings, who had fought their way through the consolation bracket. In the rematch, the Blue Devils fell short on a two-point conversion when going for the win in overtime, losing 41-42 and setting up a final, winner-take-all game.

With no time to wallow after their narrow loss, �� returned to the field and persevered in the championship final with a 46-31 win.

The �� Blue Devils face off against the Augustana Vikings.

“It took effort to get there, but that ��. what we wanted,” Odisho said. “No matter what happened throughout every game that day we were just thinking, ‘Championship, championship. We’re not losing, we’re not going home, no matter what.’”

At the end of the day, the team did go home – but not until they hoisted their trophy and reveled in the landmark moment.

“It ��. been a wonderful experience to be a part of,” reflected Naatz, who will retire in September after a 35-year career at ��. “I’m glad I was a part of history.”

Already, �� is beginning to field inquiries from would-be student athletes who want to come to Menomonie to play flag football, Naatz said. As the sport continues to grow, he hopes it ultimately becomes an official Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Conference sport, giving the Blue Devils a chance to compete against their Wisconsin peers.

Until then, he said, “We’ll continue to be leaders in this area. Once you see them practice and compete, why wouldn’t you provide that opportunity?”

�� Blue Devils greet the Augustana Vikings on the TCO Performance Center field.

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Blue Devil women ��. basketball makes history in Cinderella run to the Final Four

goersab — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 17:11:45 +0000

Blue Devil women ��. basketball makes history in Cinderella run to the Final Fourgoersab March 24, 2025

Records set in tenacious battle against undefeated, defending champions NYU

Abbey Goers

The �� Blue Devil women ��. basketball team ��. Cinderella run to the Final Four on March 20, marked the team ��. best result in the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

No. 22 �� faced No. 1-ranked, undefeated defending national champions New York University in their first-ever matchup against the Violets, at the Cregger Center, Roanoke College, in Salem, Virginia.

The Blue Devils started strong, trading baskets early with the Violets, but NYU ��. relentless full-court pressure propelled them into a 41-20-point lead at halftime. And although the Blue Devils outscored NYU 16-14 in the third quarter and matched them point for point in the fourth, they couldn’t make up the gap. The final score of 55-74 – one of the smallest winning margins for the Violets this season – proved the Blue Devils’ drive as they put up a tenacious battle for each basket.

Blue Devil women's basketball celebrate their win over Scranton to earn a spot in the Final Four / Jeremy Cwan

The Blue Devils completed their historic season 23-8, 10-4 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference. The Violets extended their winning streak to an astounding 61 games – the longest in NCAA basketball.

Despite the loss, senior Raegen Sorensen delivered a stellar farewell performance, scoring 29 points, while grabbing eight rebounds. With her 14th point of the game in the third quarter, Sorensen surpassed Julia Hirssig ��. all-time �� scoring record of 1,738 points, set in 2010. She finishes her career as the Blue Devils’ all-time leading scorer with 1,754 career points.

“These guys just leave it all on the floor. I think it just makes people see their heart, their intensity and want to be a fan. It ��. a special thing that ��. not everywhere. And it ��. something we’re going to hold onto as long as we can,” Head Coach Hannah Iverson said in an interview with D3hoops.com.

Head Coach Hannah Iverson cuts down the net after the Blue Devils' win in the Elite Eight / Jeremy Cwan

A team that inspires emotion with a team-first emphasis

The Blue Devils historic run was led by a veteran group of five starting seniors – five offensive and defensive threats running the boards. The team has eight graduating seniors:

Allison Letcher: guard; psychology; Windom, Minnesota
Sam Schaeffer: guard; health, wellness and fitness; DeForest
Amanda Giesen: forward; business administration; New Prague, Minnesota
Elissa Lodermeier: guard; psychology; Goodhue, Minnesota
Raegan Sorensen: guard; environmental science; Centuria
Anna Mutch: guard; psychology; Apple Valley, Minnesota
Lexi Wagner: guard; master ��. in education; Galesville
Sophie Moran: student manager; health, wellness and fitness; Shakopee, Minnesota

Their trademark grit and toughness brought on an extremely physical brand of basketball, and with a team culture built on confidence and competitiveness, they were willing to do whatever it took to win.

Senior guard Raegan Sorensen / D3 photography

Balance is what wins �� games, Iverson said, adding that their team-first emphasis ensures that every night brings about the possibility of someone different stepping into the spotlight.

“Playing really hard for someone more than yourself – that ��. what this group does. All these kids, they don’t care who does it; it just matters that it gets done. It ��. not just one kid going and putting on a show. It ��. a collective effort of 16 individuals, surrounded by a big outer circle who are supporting us and yelling for us,” she said.

The decorated starters were led by Sorensen. A dominant force, she thrived on her athleticism, using her quick first step to slash to the basket and knock down mid-range jumpers. Alongside Sorensen was Mutch, the emotional leader of the team and a clutch performer who embraced physical play and sought contact on the offensive end. Giesen was the team ��. strong primary post presence, while Schaeffer orchestrated the offense and led the team in assists. She was often tasked with shutting down the opponent ��. top scorer. Wagner was the premier three-point shooter, with one of the top percentages in the country.

Senior guard Anna Mutch / Jeremy Cwan

To play again at 'Johnny'

The Blue Devils’ dance began with a homecourt advantage at �� . Johnson Fieldhouse – Johnny – in rounds one and two of the national tournament.

They defeated Ripon College in the opener, with a commanding victory of 87-57, led by Sorensen ��. 32 points, her third 30-point game over the last four contests. The Blue Devils shot an efficient 55%, with 18 forced turnovers and 18 assists.

Senior forward Amanda Giesen / Jeremy Cwan

The following night, the Blue Devils rallied after an early deficit against No. 6 Whitman College, of Walla Walla, Washington. They took control in the second half. Then, with 1:23 left in the fourth quarter and the score knotted at a nail-biting 67 apiece, the Blue Devils’ composure under pressure ended Whitman ��. 19-game winning streak. They claimed a 75-69 victory and a return to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season – and the second time in team history.

Mutch delivered a career-high 31-point, 12-rebound double-double. The team hit 23-of-24 free-throws, for a shooting percentage of 95.8, including clutch makes in the final minutes.

More than 3,000 fans rocked The Johnny during the two matchups, with cheers led by an enthusiastic student section, including five in the front row wearing “STOUT” painted in bold blue letters across their chests, and roaring support from the bench.

STOUT students and fans rocked Johnson Fieldhouse / Jeremy Cwan

“It was a privilege to host an event like the NCAAs, and due to all the support and help from our campus community, it was an awesome event. The hard work of everyone involved and all the fans who attended showed people outside of our organization a true Stout Proud experience,” said Athletics Director Duey Naatz.

Dancing in the Sweet 16 to earn a hard-fought spot in the Elite Eight

The Blue Devils’ trip to the Elite Eight started off with a matchup against WIAC conference rival No. 5 UW-Whitewater at John Long Center, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. This was the teams’ fourth matchup of the season – UW-Whitewater had bested �� 69-63 in the WIAC semifinals just two weeks prior.

Senior guard Sam Schaeffer / D3 photography

In a game driven by defense, the WIAC rivals held each other to a shooting average of just 33.3%. But with a 19-point final period and with 15 forced turnovers, �� sealed the win, 62-56. The crowd roared in the final minutes, “Let ��. Go Blue! Let ��. Go Blue!”

Sorensen hit a double-double, scoring 25 points, adding 13 rebounds and four steals. Mutch tallied 19 points, with a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.

Senior guard Lexi Wagner / Jeremy Cwan

For the first time in team history, the Blue Devils earned a place in the Elite Eight, where they faced No. 5 University of Scranton on the Royals’ homecourt.

After seven lead changes, the game was tied at 77-77 in the final minute. Giesen scored the go-ahead basket with 32 seconds remaining, knocking down a contested jumper as the shot clock expired. Then, following key defensive stops, Sorensen secured the game with a pair of free throws in the closing seconds, capping off a thrilling 81-77 victory.

Sorensen led with a dominant performance, matching a career-high 33-point total. Giesen finished with 22 points, five rebounds and three steals. The Blue Devils made 18 points off turnovers and shot 50% from the field, including 7-of-15 from beyond the arc.

Hitting another historic first, the Blue Devils punched their ticket to the Final Four.

Blue Devils hoist their Final Four trophy / Jeremy Cwan

Blue Devils named to All-WIAC, D3hoops.com teams

The Blue Devils were the only WIAC team this season averaging above 70 points per game at 72.3, they shot the league-best 46.8% from the field and averaged 14.5 assists per game. They rank fourth in DIII women ��. basketball in attendance.

All five starting seniors were named to the WIAC postseason awards, for their outstanding performances.

Sorensen, Mutch and Giesen were named to the All-WIAC Team:

Sorensen capped off a historic career by becoming �� . all-time leading scorer with 1,754 points, topping the previous record by 16 points. She holds the program record for highest career points per game, averaging 18.3 points this season, and led the WIAC in field goal percentage. Sorensen ranks fifth all-time in program history with 737 career rebounds, pulling down an average of 6.4 rebounds per contest this season. She averaged 25.4 points per game in the NCAA Tournament. She was a D3hoops.com Preseason All-American, earned a spot on the D3hoops.com All-Region 9 First Team, was honored as a D3hoops.com Second-Team All-American and was named a Women ��. Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division III Honorable Mention All-American.
Mutch made her mark in the record books, finishing fourth all-time with 1,449 career points. She averaged 13.4 points per game this season and climbed to eighth in career rebounds with 660. She was named to the D3hoops.com All-Region 9 Third Team.
Giesen completed her strong career, ranking sixth in career scoring with 1,330 points. She averaged 12.1 points per game this season and tallied 543 career rebounds, placing her 13th in program history.

Senior guard Raegan Sorensen / D3 photography

Wagner earned a WIAC Honorable Mention as one of the premier three-point shooters in the nation with a 45.7% shooting mark from beyond the arc, leading the WIAC in the regular season. She averaged 12.2 points per game. Wagner topped a 25-year-old school record by knocking down nine three-pointers in a single game and was named WIAC Kwik Trip Women ��. Basketball Player of the Week twice this season.

Schaeffer ��. defensive prowess earned her a place on the WIAC All-Defensive Team, as well as the All-Sportsmanship Team for her leadership and character. She recorded 37 steals and boasted an impressive 3.4 assist-to-turnover ratio, one of the highest in the nation. She leads the program record with 121 games played, followed by Mutch with 120.

Schaeffer has been selected as one of 80 student athletes nationwide to participate in the “So You Want To Be a Coach” program, hosted by the Women ��. Basketball Coaches Association, and will participate in a two-day workshop in April during the WBCA Convention in Tampa, Florida.

Senior guard Anna Mutch / Jeremy Cwan

From Johnson Fieldhouse to Williams Stadium

Giesen, Letcher, Mutch and Schaeffer, and junior Rosella Wille, will trade in their sneakers for cleats this spring, stepping off the boards at Johnson Fieldhouse and onto the turf at Williams Stadium.

They’ve joined the newly formed Blue Devils women ��. flag football team – along with 15 other student athletes – and will be led by Naatz as head coach. Naatz is in his 35th year with the Blue Devils and 15th as director of athletics.

�� is partnering with the Minnesota Vikings and five NCAA institutions to launch the collegiate league. Teams will compete in two jamborees and a championship tournament this April:

Saturday, April 5: Jamboree at University of Northwestern, St. Paul
Saturday, April 12: Jamboree at ��
Saturday, April 26: Championship tournament at TCO Stadium, in Minneapolis

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�� arts and humanities events scheduled for spring 2025

goersab — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 16:03:12 +0000

�� arts and humanities events scheduled for spring 2025goersab January 28, 2025

Community programs include exhibits, ‘Alice by Heart’ musical, concerts, film screenings; coincide with Destination Weekend, Spring Showcase

Abbey Goers

From exhibits celebrating a lifetime of photography, illustrations to “Marvel” at and historical moments, to a musical inviting the audience to step into Wonderland in “Alice by Heart, concerts that transport listeners to outer space, film screenings of “February” and “The League,” and literary and civic conversations, there are arts events for everyone at �� this spring.

Many events are free and open to the public, and several will be held in conjunction with �� . Destination Weekend, Friday, April 11, to Sunday, April 13; and Spring Showcase in April and May.

Visual Arts

Furlong Gallery ��. spring season will open with an anticipated exhibit – Bill Wikrent: Capturing the Moment in the North Gallery; and artist and illustrator Matt Talbot in the South Gallery, on view through Saturday, March 1.

A reception for the exhibit Bill Wikrent: Capturing the Moment will be on Feb. 20, with a plaque unveiling ceremony at 5 p.m.

For 27 years, Wikrent worked with �� . Instructional Technology Services, contributing significantly to the university and surrounding area ��. visual history. This exhibition includes highlights of his campus work, as well as his personal photographs, highlighting his expertise and artistic voice. Wikrent passed away in April 2023. A reception will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, with a plaque unveiling ceremony at 5 p.m., in Micheels Hall Atrium.

Talbot is an illustrator and graphic designer from the seacoast area of New Hampshire. His clients include Marvel Studios, Sony, Mondo, Entertainment Weekly, Archie Comics, Fangoria and more. The exhibit includes both personal projects and client work. A meet and greet will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Furlong, with an artist talk following at 6 p.m., in Applied Arts room 321.

Matt Talbot's illustrations and designs include both personal projects and client work

Other exhibits across campus include:

Sunday, Feb. 2, to Sunday, March 30: The Library Art Lab, on the first floor of the University Library, will host Patient No More: People with Disabilities Securing Civil Rights. This traveling exhibit tells the stories behind a moment in history when protests across the country were held to have Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 signed into law, which ultimately made it illegal for any federally funded facilities or programs to discriminate against people with disabilities. It is a collaborative project with the university ��. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office, Disability Services and Involvement Center. A reception will be from 2 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Monday, March 10, to Wednesday, April 19: Associate Professor Daniel Atyim will showcase his sabbatical work at Furlong.
Monday, May 5, through September: The Student Artist-in-Residence Exhibition at Furlong will feature studio art majors Lily Smith and Ellie Eklof. A reception will be held during the School of Art and Design Show from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 9.
Rotating exhibits of student works will be in Gallery 209, the Student Gallery in the Applied Arts building on the second floor.

'Alice by Heart' will be performed at Harvey Hall Theatre April 4-12.

University Theatre

Students will perform “Alice by Heart,” led by Director Audric Buhr, at Harvey Hall Theatre. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on April 4, 5, 10*, 11 and 12; and 2 p.m. on April 6.

“Alice by Heart” is a musical that encourages everyone to celebrate the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times, and explores the poignancy of first love, loss and finding the courage to move forward.

Set during World War II, in the rubble of the London Blitz, Alice Spencer ��. teenage life is turned upside down, when she and her friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland.

* An accessible performance will be held on April 10, with a more informal atmosphere aimed to welcome those with sensory difficulties or autism. The performance will remain the same but with small adjustments. House lights will remain on, loud noises will be softened, and audience members are free to leave and re-enter.

Tickets will be available soon at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

'Please' by SAIR artists Ellie Eklof, and 'worth it' by SAIR artists Lily Smith

Concert Performances

Stout Choirs, under Director Jerry Hui, will present Life on the World Scale at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at Our Savior ��. Lutheran Church, 910 E. 9th St., in Menomonie. Join in a musical journey from the microcosmos to the cosmos and back. Whether it is in the microbes, the places we live in, in nature, or the universe, we see faces looking back as we reflect our life experiences, big or small.
The Symphonic Band, under Director Erika Svanoe, will perform Around the World at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall. The concert will feature music celebrating different places, cultures and composers from around the world, including Minneapolis-based composer Samantha Hogan ��. new piece “A Tour of Minnesota,” which commemorates the state flag.
The Blue Devil Jazz Orchestra, under Director James Anderson, will perform at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, Harvey Hall Theater. Blast off into infinity and beyond with selections of Gustav Holst ��. “The Planets,” and hear classics like Frank Sinatra ��. “Come Fly with Me,” Hoagy Carmichael ��. “Stardust” and Dizzy Gilespie ��. “Manteca!”

Tickets will be available soon at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

Patient No More will be on exhibit at the Library Art Lab Feb. 2 to March 30.

Film and Literary Events

Two film screenings and Q&As with the directors will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 4:

“February,” with director Nathan Deming and lead actor David Duran, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Harvey Hall Theater. “February,” filmed in Eau Claire, recently won multiple awards at the Wisconsin Film Festival. The event is hosted by the video production program and Video Production Club.
“The League,” with filmmaker Byron Motley, 7 to 9 p.m., Memorial Student Center Terrace. Directed by Sam Pollard, “The League” celebrates the dynamic journey of Negro League baseball's triumphs and challenges through the first half of the twentieth century. The event is hosted by �� Athletics and the Office of Student Opportunity & Excellence.

The Literature Committee will host a virtual talk and reading with Andrew Krivak, author of “The Bear,” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5.

Author Peter Geye will present and read from his new novel, “A Lesser Light,” from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, at Harvey Hall Theater. The novel will be released on Monday, April 15.

�� Athletics and the EDI Office will host a screening of 'The League,' directed by Sam Pollard, on Feb. 4.

Civic Events

�� . Center for Applied Ethics will host several national and international speakers:

Wednesday, March 26: Is Abortion Morally Permissible if the Embryo is a Person?, with Kate Greasley, associate professor and Tutorial Fellow in Law at Oxford University.
Thursday, April 3: Assisted Dying: A Slippery Slope?, with Bonnie Steinbock, professor emerita at the University at Albany/State University of New York.
Wednesday, April 30: “Valuing the Diversity of Languages in a Multicultural World,” with Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, CEO of Gael Linn.

The Center also hosts Philosophers’ Cafés, informal, friendly conversations on contemporary issues. Meetings are open to all and are led by �� and UW-Eau Claire faculty. Upcoming conversations will be held at 7 p.m., at Brewery Nonic in Menomonie:

Monday, Feb. 10: Where the Wild Things Are. Moderator: Professor Julie Beston, biology
Monday, March 24: Is Free Speech Too Free? Moderator: Professor Tim Shiell, philosophy
Monday, April 7: Free: Priceless vs. Worthless. Moderator: Professor Chris Ferguson, economics

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Community programs include exhibits, ‘Alice by Heart’ musical, concerts, film screenings; coincide with Destination Weekend, Spring Showcase Bill Wikrent, photo collage

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Visit us to browse world-class exhibitions on display throughout the year.

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Take the stage at �� with our choir, band, and theatre programs.

Hero Caption: Furlong Gallery ��. spring season will open with an anticipated exhibit – Bill Wikrent: Capturing the Moment. It is on view through Saturday, March 1.

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�������� arts and humanities events scheduled for spring 2025

Visual Arts

University Theatre

Concert Performances

Film and Literary Events

Civic Events

Furlong Gallery

Performing Arts

Breaking ground for polytechnic partnerships: �� top story highlights of 2025

‘Power of Partnership’: �� celebrates groundbreaking for $144M Heritage Hall renovation

AI, fully integrated: �� . 360-degree approach to artificial intelligence embeds skills across all programs

�� . game design programs ranked among international best by Princeton Review

Serving those who served: �� among top 25 in Midwest on annual Best for Vets list

Blue Devil women ��. basketball makes history in Cinderella run to the Final Four

�� women ��. golf outpaces field to win conference crown, sets eyes on national tourney

Menomonie Culver ��., Brewery Nonic special events support Blue Devils at homecoming

Championship �� esports program levels up with new $1M arena

�� is an esports trailblazer

Sullivan aims for ‘championship culture’ as �� . new Director of Athletics

Breaking gridiron ground: �� triumphs in first-ever women ��. flag football league sponsored by Minnesota Vikings

Blue Devil women ��. basketball makes history in Cinderella run to the Final Four

Power to rewrite their script: �� women ��. basketball recovers from midseason losses to reach NCAA tournament

�� arts and humanities events scheduled for spring 2025