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.
Not only is the Blugold Women's Swimming and Diving program one of the oldest women's programs at UW-Eau Claire, it is also one of the most decorated. In 50 seasons, the Blugold women have amassed three national titles, two national runner-up finishes and won 19 WIAC titles – including 18 straight championships from 1980-1997.
Blugold Pioneer Judy Kruckman served as the program's first head coach and did so along with many other duties including teaching, coaching tennis and later serving as the athletic director. Kruckman led Eau Claire swimming and diving from 1970-1977.
Watch Kruckman talk about teaching and coaching in the early years
One of Kruckman's most accomplished swimmers was one of the program's first Blugold Hall of Famers, Sue (Momsen) Schneider (1972-76). Schneider held six individual school records and was a conference champion in the 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle before graduating and starting a career as a physical education teacher and synchronized swim coach. She was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.
Watch Kruckman talk about the early years
Following Kruckman, Katie Kovalclk coached for one season before turning the program over to Tom Prior in 1978.
Prior would coach the Blugolds for the next 21 seasons, winning all of the program's 19 conference championships. His powerhouse teams in 1983, 1987 and 1988 also claimed the NAIA national championship and during a 14-year stretch, Blugold teams never placed lower than fifth in the women's NAIA national meet. Under his leadership, the Blugolds produced a 132-25-1 dual meet record (.838 winning percentage) and won 201 gold medals at the conference championships.
Lisa (Roettger) Donnellan (1979-83) was one of many successful student-athletes in the early years. A two-time WIAC and National diving champion, Donnellan earned All-American honors twice and Academic All-American honors once. Winning conference titles every season and a member of the program's first team national title in 1983, Donnellan was inducted into the Blugold Hall of Fame in 1990.
Joining Donnellan in the Hall of Fame Class of 1990 was Laura (Ladwig) Dale (1980-83). Dale, a WIAC Scholar-Athlete winner, was also an Academic All-American. She won 11 individual WIAC championships in her career along with an individual national title in the 200 free.
Just after Donnellan graduated, another soon-to-be Hall of Famer would join the Blugold diving ranks, Sara (Smith) Schierl. A four-time WIAC champion and national champion, Schierl helped the Blugolds win conferences titles each year and was inducted into the Blugold Hall of Fame in 1993.
Donnellan, Dale and Scheirl were all named to the WIAC Women's Swimming and Diving All-Centennial Team in 2012.
"The reason I came to UWEC was because of the diving coach at the time, Bob Clotworthy," said Scheirl. "He was friends with the Madison coach whom I had been training with for several years, Jerry Darda. Bob was a former gold medalist and was the coach who was able to develop my potential more than any other coach. Being a part of such a special team and culture created life-long friendships and memories. Today I'm fortunate to be the dive coach at UW-Stevens Point for 16 years, still experiencing the magic of these times but on deck rather than on 'board.'"
During Prior's tenure, 102 women earned All-American distinction, several as many as four times. He also mentored 35 national champions. The NAIA Coach of the Year in 1987, Prior was named the All-Time Coach for Women's and Men's Swimming and Diving as part of the WIAC Centennial Celebration in 2012. Prior also earned spots in the NAIA Hall of Fame (1993), NAIA District 14 Hall of Fame (1994) and WIAC Hall of Fame (2018).
"It was always an uplifting and smiling experience to coach the women," said Prior. "This is not to say that the women were not competitive. Rather, they would lay their souls down in their lane and give it their all, in fighting to do their best times and be proud of their achievements."
A tough act to follow, several coaches led the Blugolds after Prior's retirement including Andy Hanson (1999-00), Rob Welcher (2000-06), Jerry Kollross (2006-08) and Art Brandt (2008-14) before current head coach and program alumna, Annie (Gorman) Ryder took over the program.
Ryder coached the Blugolds to an 11th place finish in the 2015-16 NCAA national meet, the program's best since 1994-95. She has twice been named WIAC Coach of the Year (2015-16, 2018-19) and coached the program's next national champion, Sam Senczynszyn.
Senczyszyn was a two-time NCAA Division III champion in the 100-yard breaststroke and collected five individual and four relay All-America accolades. She is the NCAA record holder in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:12.20 that was established at the 2016 WIAC championship. Senczyszyn is a three-time WIAC Swimmer of the Meet honoree, just one of two individuals in league history to accomplish the feat. She is a nine-time individual winner and nine-time relay first-place finisher at conference championships. A team Most Valuable Performer in 2016 and 2017, Senczyszyn owns school records in four individual events and six relays.
In total, the program has tallied 556 individual and relay conference championships, 255 NAIA and 121 NCAA All-Americans, nine WIAC Scholar-Athletes, nine Super Six winners and 28 Blugold Hall of Famers.
"In retirement, it has been gratifying to see these women when they return to Eau Claire or communicate with them by phone or email," said Prior. "I am happy to learn how well they have done in their personal lives. Many have developed admirable careers; some have devoted themselves to worthwhile volunteer work but all of them speak of their wonderful and caring families. These are the women who participated on the team, who scored points in the conference and national meets, who earned All-American status or who were conference and national champions. Each one was an integral part of the women's swimming and diving team that won 19 conference titles and three national championships. I am honored to have had the opportunity to coach these fine student-athletes that are now excellent role models for future generations of women."
Two Blugold teammates, Carolyn Sheild, '84 and Mary Jo Ferris, '83 have teamed up once again and together will match the first $1,500 donated to the Women's Swimming and Diving Fund in honor of the 50th Anniversary celebration. To contribute to the Women's Basketball Fund or to Women's Athletics in general, visit the UWEC Foundation website.
