While the 2020-2021 school year will look different for all universities across the nation, it holds special meaning for women's athletics at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire as they celebrate 50 years of women's athletics in the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WWIAC) and later the WIAC.
Though there were Blugold teams prior to 1971, this was the first time that women's athletics had a governing body and started the organizational model that led to what we know today. Throughout the fall semester, the UW-Eau Claire Athletics Department will take a look at the history of Blugold Women's Athletics and share the stories of our women's programs and the people who made it all possible.
Each week will feature a Blugold women's sport as part of "Memorable Mondays" with the first week giving the overall history of women's athletics and note some of the key pioneers that led the way for future Blugolds. Follow the journey of the Blugold women through articles, photos and videos on Blugold Athletics social media.
Read our first story on the pioneers of women's athletics HERE
Women's Soccer has a rich history at UW-Eau Claire. After years as a club sport and Title IX leading to new opportunities for women, the players of the club team approached then-athletic director, Marilyn Skrivseth. Those players passionately advocated for varsity status and Skrivseth was happy to work with them. In 1989, Blugold Women's Soccer officially earned varsity status.
| The Beginning | Initial Funding |
Cosmo Beard took the helm for Blugold soccer in their first season, the first of just four coaches in the program's history. UW-Eau Claire finished with a record of 7-5-0 in their first season and would continue their strong start in the following two seasons under Jorge Fernandez, compiling a record of 23-9-2. For the first three seasons, nine games were played against club teams but were included in the overall record. While they were a varsity sport in 1989, the first official conference season was in 1992.
After a five-year stint with Scott Martin, current Head Coach Sean Yengo took the reins in 1997 and is the longest tenured coach in the program. In his 23 seasons, Yengo has led the Blugolds to a .632 win percentage (284-163-43) and a conference record of 123-51-13.
In their 31 seasons, 349 players have donned the blue and gold with 114 all-conference selections, 45 NSCAA All-Region winners and six NSCAA All-Americans; all but one playing for coach Yengo.
As a team, the Blugolds have finished first or second in the conference 13 times and won WIAC titles in 2005, 2006 and 2007. After leaving the NAIA for the NCAA in 1991-92, Eau Claire earned spots in the NCAA tournament in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
The Blugolds have been successful not just on the field but in the classroom as well. Seven have claimed the conference's Scholar-Athlete Award. Nationally, three have earned NSCAA Scholar All-American honors while two were named CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.
Additionally, six women's soccer players have earned the Blugold Athletics Department Super Six Award. Started in 1986-87, the Super Six Award recognizes and honors outstanding student-athletes who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in their sport, in the classroom and in campus and community organizations; epitomizing the ideals of intercollegiate athletics as an educational experience at UW-Eau Claire.
Three players have also made their way into the Blugold Hall of Fame, Tammy (Brandt) Stanius – Class of 2007, Kari (Blasczyk) Austin – Class of 2016 and Emily (Mabbitt) Gregerson - Class of 2019.
While all who wore the uniform contributed to the team's success, several have stood out. Heather Haster (Fox) was identified as a leader during the pioneer years, pushing to have the club team elevated to varsity status. Many teams struggle to win in their first years as a varsity squad but that was not the case for Blugold Women's Soccer, who quickly found success and became one of the top teams in the conference, thanks to players like Hester.
Years later, it was Anna (Talbot) Willkom and Liz Kooistra who led the Blugolds in the highest team finishes in program history. Talbot played from 2004-2007 while Kooistra played from 2005-08. The teammates led Eau Claire to three consecutive WIAC titles and NCAA tournament appearances. Both earned All-American status and were named Super Six honorees. Talbot was named the WIAC Player of the Year in 2007 while Kooistra took the honor the following season. Along with teammate Maria Iaizzo, the three are the only Blugolds to win the award and did so in back-to-back-to-back seasons with Iazzo claiming the award in 2006. Talbot is still around the program, serving as an alumni relations representative for the team.
While many awards have been won in 31 seasons, it is the drive, hard work and sacrifice of all who played that have brought honor to the program.
To continue that success, Diane Kelsch, goalkeeper from 1989 to 1993 and All-American, has stepped forward to match the next $1,000 donated to the Women's Soccer Fund in honor of the women's athletics 50th year anniversary celebration. To contribute to the Women's Soccer Fund or to the Women's General Fund, visit the UWEC Foundation website.
