This fall the UW-Eau Claire Athletics Department told the stories of the Blugolds women's teams in celebration of 50 years competing in the conference. The successes of those programs and just a few of the many people who made an impact in developing women's athletics were highlighted. These athletes, coaches, and administrators, including Blugold pioneers Judy Kruckman, Sandy Schumacher, Mary Mero, Marilyn Skrivseth, Lisa Herb and Jenny Arneson, paved the way for current and future Blugolds. Their hard work and dedication helped build the department into what it is today, and they can take pride in knowing their legacy is in good hands.
While people like the pioneers were more visible on the front lines, there is one person that largely remained behind the scenes but was critical to the success of all Blugold athletic programs. That person is longtime program assistant, Nancy Hendricks.
Starting her career in 1977, Hendricks was the catalyst for the department and from then to her retirement in 2020 after 43 years of service, was always the "go-to" person for all coaches and administrative staff.
"Because of the vast number of individuals for whom she had to work, she had to be very efficient in handling her projects and duties," said former Sports Information Director Tim Petermann. "She had to be very organized. She didn't just go through the motions but could help staff members correct errors or improve what they were doing. She had to be even-tempered and adjust to many different personalities."
"She worked under a lot of stress with deadlines to meet for weekly press releases and game programs, deadlines for eligibility reports, for golf outings, for other fundraisers, for hosting conference or national competitions. And she had to do this while handling the walk-in traffic that regularly asked questions or created unplanned work. Sometimes she would come back in the evening to make sure she could get a project finished or planned out for the next day without being disturbed. She paid attention to the detail needed for a successful athletics program, and there were lots of successes during her tenure. She certainly deserves a lot of credit for her part in those successes."
Hendricks did the work that most people do not see but is vital to smooth operations at athletics events, both home and away. It was Hendricks who made thousands of bus and hotel reservations, filled out hundreds of bids to host NCAA post-season events, scheduled game day staff, handled family passes, season tickets and so much more.
"While I always enjoyed watching sports, I never knew all the work that went on behind the scenes," said Hendricks. "I was glad to play a small part working with a very dedicated staff. Trailblazers like Athletic Director Judy Kruckman and coaches at the time like Mary Mero, Sandy Schumacher, and Alice Gansel taught me so much about athletic administration and the sports themselves."
Every new coach, head, assistant and volunteer, went through Hendricks and even the job search started with her. She was always the point person for anyone in the department and always went above and beyond to take care of her Blugold family.
"Any list related to the 'best of Blugold Athletics' would be remiss not to include Nancy," said Skrivseth. "She has helped us all be better coaches, administrators and leaders and always went the extra distance to serve the student-athletes."
It's important to note that not only did Hendricks constantly have a full plate, she also was required to learn new systems and software thanks to an ever-changing world of technology. While she started with using a typewriter, she transitioned to new computers and software programs with grace, and her ability to quickly adapt played a vital role in the success of the department.
"From a personal standpoint, I could not have accomplished my responsibilities without a person of such high quality as Nancy," said Petermann. "She worked during a time when there was a rapid and exponential growth in the means of communication, and she adapted very well. When she started there were no computers, and communication was done by snail mail—lots of it from releases to recruiting to alumni relations to new freshmen to officials to other game/meet personnel to the conference and national offices. Nancy was the glue that kept our department together. What a blessing to have such a talented person in your corner for such a great length of time."
Despite her important position in the department, Hendricks has always remained humble and is quick to give credit to others.
"When Marilyn Skrivseth became athletic director, witnessing her dedication and commitment to coaches and student-athletes ignited my desire to do the same," Hendricks reflected. "She was much more than a boss; she was a mentor and role model for me. I greatly appreciated my expanded role in the department as sports were added to the women's athletic program. Some simple joys included upgrading from a regular typewriter to a typewriter that actually corrected! Then in 1984 came the addition of a computer. I seriously don't know how we got done what we all did without that computer."
Hendricks also played a vital role in making sure things ran smoothly in the department. She was always willing to pitch in when anyone needed additional help, especially when it came to post-season play and quick turnarounds were needed when multiple sports were competing. She also played a key role in connecting the athletic department to other areas of campus, such as Human Resources and Blugold Central.
"Her contributions to the University and athletic department and the many student-athletes during her time have been highly impactful," said Athletic Director Dan Schumacher. "She has truly made a difference, and we appreciate all she has done."
"When I came back to Eau Claire to work in the athletics office in the fall of 2014 it was clear that Nancy was the one you needed to know," said Assistant Athletic Director Jill Millis. "Whenever I had a question, I was told, 'ask Nancy' and sure enough, she was always there with an answer and was happy to help. But what is special about Nancy is not just her knowledge, it's her personality. Every person that walked into the athletic department or called the office was greeted with warmth and respect. She truly cares about everyone and is incredibly loyal to our staff, coaches and especially the student-athletes. Nancy has always taken care of all of us, and I don't think we could ever thank her enough."
After working long hours in the office, Hendricks would still be there on game day, cheering on her Blugolds from the stands. She was and continues to be emotionally invested in Blugold Athletics.
"Spending 43 years of my life in Blugold Athletics allowed me to meet so many wonderful people," said Hendricks. "There were many influential coaches and staff (too many to name) that became a part of my life. My co-workers became my extended family. Watching administration, staff and coaches give so much of their lives to student-athletes was amazing."
"Being a part of a sports program is so much more than 'playing a game.' The life skills that are taught are incredible and the coaches and staff play such an important role. The care they take of student-athletes goes well beyond the coaching of the sport.
"They teach them about life. They mentor them, they support them, they are available 24/7 to talk to them. Those years a student spends in college are a crucial part in maturing into the individual they become, and I was so blessed to be able to see this first-hand for so many years."
"What a career!" said Head Wrestling Coach Tim Fader. "The number of times that I heard, 'ask Nancy', 'hand it to Nancy' or Nancy will know' is far too many to count. Her 43 years of loyalty and service in Blugold Athletics is really amazing. Blugold wrestling would like to thank her for being such a consistently helpful presence and for all her work for NCAA regional bids. We will all miss her smile and happy greeting when walking into Brewer Hall."
"Nancy Hendricks has never lost," said Men's Hockey Head Coach Matt Loen. "She is an All-American and National Champion every year. Her dedication and passion for the Blugold Athletic Department is astounding. Her shoes are the biggest shoes to fill in any position across UW-Eau Claire. Unreal career and best of luck to Nancy in her next chapter."
"August 29, 1977 was a day that set the course for a major part of my life," said Hendricks. "Judy Kruckman, Steve Kurth and Tim Petermann gave me the opportunity to start my career working in Athletics at UW-Eau Claire. It was a place I met my husband Marty, had and raised our two children, and introduced our grandchildren to Blugold Athletics. Little did I know how walking into the Athletics office 43 years ago would impact my life."
Hendricks, along with the Blugolds mentioned in the previous 13 stories, worked tirelessly to lay the foundation for women's athletics at UW-Eau Claire. The commemoration is not just for them, however. They, along with every single athlete, coach and administrator gave so much of their time, dedication, energy and love to give women the chance to play, and for that, their legacy continues. What started as a flame is now a fire that will burn bright forever, lighting the way for generations to come.
Watch a Blugold Thank You to Nancy
To donate to the Judy Kruckman Women's Athletics Opportunity Fund or another fund for women's athletics, visit the UWEC Foundation website.
