By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information
The Power of AND.
UW-Eau Claire desires to challenge its students, faculty, staff, and alumni to explore their multiple passions and academic pursuits, not defining oneself solely by one interest or discipline.
To find the epitome of this expression, make your way down to the wrestling room in the McPhee Center. Here, you will discover the perfect example of what professional AND volunteer looks like in four men. John Peterson, Russ Peloquin, Jeremy Peery, and Steve Wozniak, all volunteer assistant coaches, have bought into what first-year head coach Tim Fader is doing with the wrestling program and volunteering their time and expertise.
They attend practices, matches, and spend long days at tournaments, all for their love for the sport and their aspirations of making a difference in the lives of student-athletes. This is why they volunteer on top of their busy professional and family lives.
Coach Fader expresses his gratitude for these men, and he believes that they deserve to be recognized for the qualities that they bring to the program. Qualities such as loyalty, sacrifice, and leadership are all evident in Peterson, Peloquin, Peery and Wozniak. These qualities are truly what the sport of wrestling is about and it is their hope that the wrestlers learn to develop them as athletes, but more importantly, as young men.
"I want to help the wrestlers grow as young men, encourage them to make wise choices, and to work hard," said Peterson.
That is what draws the Olympic gold ('76) and silver ('72) medalist to volunteering his time with the Blugolds. Peterson meets with the team and individuals every Monday while Fader is at home in Whitewater with his children. Fader described him as one of the most genuine and faithful men he has ever encountered. Peterson has travelled the world as a representative for Athletes in Action, but home to him is western Wisconsin. He feels that there is a need for strong college programs with so many good high school wrestlers in the area, and they cannot all go to college far from home.
"Through the sport of wrestling, I have learned to deal with adversity," said Peterson. "My goal is to build work ethic in these kids because what you take away is unbelievably rewarding."
Someone who received his own version of a rewarding experience is Russ Peloquin, who attributes his love for wrestling much to his time with Tim Fader. Peloquin was a two-time All-American at UW-La Crosse under Fader's coaching, and he later assisted him while finishing his graduate degree. Today, Peloquin works in Eau Claire as an owner of several homes for cognitively and physically disabled adults. Once the head coach at the university, he now volunteers his time to the team by hosting a few alumni and social events for the team as well as getting into the wrestling room for practice when he is able.
"Coach Fader is a pretty impressive guy," said Peloquin. "He gets the most out of the guys he has, he won't leave a stone unturned, and he gives the wrestlers experiences they'll always remember. I love being a part of that."
Serving as a voice of reason over the past six years, Jeremy Peery has been around the program for the longest of those on the coaching staff. Peery works for the DNR and has a young family with two boys at home, yet despite his full schedule, he insists on giving back to the sport.
"Once you're a wrestler, it never gets out of your blood," said Peery. "I've had great mentors and leaders in my life, and I want to do my part to instill the same ethics and moral values to these wrestlers."
He believes that UW-Eau Claire wrestling has the potential to be a powerhouse with all of the incredible talent in the area, and Fader is establishing the stability and leadership that this program needs to get there.
Perhaps the greatest example of loyalty among these men is seen in Steve Wozniak. On top of being a full-time employee at the YMCA, Wozniak writes and supervises all of the strength and conditioning for the squad. He is in the McPhee Strength Center at 6:15 a.m. and after work at 3:15 p.m. Here's the amazing part: Wozniak served as the Blugolds' head coach last year, and after being relieved of his duties last winter, he continues to serve.
"I don't know many men that would stay with a program that let them go," Fader said of Wozniak. "I could not do half the things without his help."
Wozniak continues to be someone the program can count on, as he attends every meet and drives cars and vans in addition to coaching all day.
Big things are coming for Blugold wrestling, and Fader and his selfless assistants are a huge reason for that.
