WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL
Top of the South
The Warriors now sit alone at the top of the NSIC South standings at 3 0 within the division and control their destiny to the NSIC South title.
In the polls
Winona State is currently receiving votes in the Division II AFCA Coaches Poll for the first time since Week Two in 2019 Augustana is also receiving votes, dropping from being ranked #21 a week ago.
Home sweet home
Winona State is 4 0 at home this season and holds a .777 winning percentage (21 6) in front of the Warrior Faithful at Maxwell Field since 2017.
History vs. Augustana
Since 2017, WSU and AU are tied 2 2 in the matchup series, with the Warriors winning in '17 and '18, but the Vikings winning in '19 and '21. Winona State dropped a contest to then ranked No. 19 Augustana a year ago in Sioux Falls, S.D.
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL
HOMETOWN
Prondzinski
Williams
Anderson
McCabe
Gavin Griffin Wiegel Thomas Kiesau Sam Santiago Lloyd Reid Hartness Mitch Snitker
Haas Brian Corbins, Jr. Ben McCabe Jake Van Hulzen Andrew Goergen Trevor Paulsen Ricky Smalling Aarion Lacy Zach Myhre
Aaron Adams Myles Tramill Brady Dannenbring Noah Carlson Easton Knoll David Munson Voshon Porte
Jonathan Mann Carter Duxbury Jack Enneking
Cair'ron Hendred Jacob Scott Dominik London Ethan Torgrimson
Schmidt
Scaife
Zirpoli
Quinn
Siem Davis Tanner Johnson Drew Goettl Jamon Williams
Schueffner
Kingsbury
190
170 210 185 190 220 205
220 165
230 205
Sr. Sr.
Jr Sr So R So.
Jr. So Sr So
Dodge, Iowa Brookfield, Wis. Chetek, Wis Forest City, Iowa Caledonia, Minn Niles, Ill Kimberly, Wis. La Crescent, Minn. Milwaukee, Wis. Fargo, N D Waukon, Iowa
HIGH SCHOOL
Bettendorf Brookfield East Chetek Weyerhaeuser Forest City
Caledonia Notre Dame Prep Kimberly La Crescent Brookfield East Davies Waukon
PREVIOUS SCHOOL
Iowa Central CC
Jr.
Sr
Lake, Minn Hales Corners, Wis. Caledonia, Minn. Coon Rapids, Minn. Caledonia, Minn Marion, Iowa Chicago, Ill Park Forest, Ill Grand Meadow, Minn. West Palm Beach, Fla. Park Forest, Ill. Sioux Falls, S D Rushford, Minn Kasson, Minn Chicago, Ill Atlanta, Ga. Rosemount, Minn. Chatfield, Minn. Sussex, Wis Cedar Rapids, Iowa Flower Mound, Texas Woodbury, Minn. Sartell, Minn. Sartell, Minn. St Paul, Minn Country Club Hills, Ill Waukesha, Wis Oak Lawn, Ill Des Plaines, Ill. Appleton, Wis. Eau Claire, Wis. Country Club Hills, Ill St Cloud, Wis Frankfurt, Ill
Prior Lake Whitnall Caledonia Coon Rapids Caledonia Marion Brother Rice Brother Rice Grand Meadow Suncoast Carmel Catholic Roosevelt Rushford Peterson Kasson Mantorville
Phillips Dacula Rosemount Chatfield Hamilton Kennedy Marcus East Ridge Sartell St. Stephen Dowling Catholic Roseville Area Hillcrest Waukesha West Richards Maine West Kimberly Regis Hillcrest St Mary Springs Lincoln Way East
Upper Iowa
Univ of Illinois
Army West Point
Univ of Michigan
Univ. of Minnesota
Kent State
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL
HOMETOWN
Vernon
Ikenna Ujuagu Bronson Schofield Seyi Afinni Tristan Root Mason Buehler Samuel Mcenelly Morgan White Trey Borske Chance Backer Myles Hawthorne Corrie King Enrique De Leon Mason Carnell Clay Craker Jacob Leszczynski Jordan Haddad Alec Morris Joe Carlson
Patrick Wright Jr. Payton Dachel Jauron Hall Noah Pappas Garit Wollan Austin Zeeveld
Johnson Brett Perronne Sawyer Maly Joe Sikma
Dakota Matthees Jose Benjamin Michael Richardson Jaylen Schleicher
Nelson Josh Giese
Berry Kyjuan Vengrowsky
Leszczynski
Walls
Manuel Conner Haggerty Dmitri Shpak
Wilcher
Tuttle
Wis. St Louis Park, Minn Chetek, Wis Roseville, Minn Eau Claire, Wis Wind Lake, Wis. Waconia, Minn. Pahrump, Nev. Naperville, Ill Chatfield, Minn Osseo, Minn Minnetonka, Minn. Chippewa Falls, Wis. Nashotah, Wis. Middleton, Wis Muskego, Wis Mequon, Wis La Crosse, Wis Mukwonago, Wis. Milwaukee, Wis. Bloomer, Wis. St Paul, Minn Plymouth, Minn Winona, Minn Cascade, Wis Waterford, Wis. Kimberly, Wis. Waunakee, Wis. Waukesha, Wis Winona, Minn Rochester, Minn Brookfield, Wis. Hammond, Ind. Sun Prairie, Wis. Hortonville, Wis San Antonia, Texas De Pere, Wis Muskego, Wis Sussex, Wis. Des Moines, Iowa Onalaska, Wis. Maple Grove, Wis Mukwonago, Wis Slinger, Wis Plymouth, Minn.
HIGH SCHOOL Dacula Plymouth
Benilde St Margaret's Chetek Weyerhaeuser Roseville Regis Muskego Waconia Pahrump Valley Neuqua Valley Chatfield Osseo Wayzata Chippewa Falls Arrowhead Middleton Muskego Homestead La Crosse Central Mukwonago Riverside Bloomer Central Robbinsdale Armstrong Winona Plymouth Waterford Kimberly Waunakee Catholic Memorial Winona Century Marquette Hammond Sun Prairie Hortonville Brainerd De Pere Pius XI Hamilton Valley Onalaska Maple Grove Mukwonago Slinger Wayzata
PREVIOUS SCHOOL
Minnesota Duluth
Iowa Western CC Univ. of Wisconsin
WINONA
FOOTBALL
Keaton Arendt Devin Arriga Dalton Barrett Brandon Bell, Jr. Ben Bowe James Durst Craig Ervin Ben Forcier Colton Geurink Mark Hartlieb Blake Haus Cayden Holcomb Andrew Jeske Brent Jeske Riley Johnson Jack Larson Logan Matthews Morgan McKnight Magnus Nelson David Nies Carson Sippel Lincoln Snitker Carson Thompson Cameron Wnek Justin Wohlers Jake Ziemniarski
HOMETOWN Franklin, Wis Menasha, Wis Lake Shore, Minn. Wheaton, Ill. Chaska, Minn. Bryon, Minn Altoona, Wis Hudson, Wis Wausau, Wis. Mequon, Wis. Sartell, Minn. Rochester, Minn Colby, Wis Colby, Wis
Sun Prairie, Wis. Franklin, Wis. Waukesha, Wis. Brookings, S D Prairie du Chien, Wis Kaukauna, Wis Waukon, Iowa Rushford, Minn. Kimberly, Wis. Lake City, Minn New Lenox, Ill
HIGH SCHOOL Franklin Menasha Brainerd Wheaton Warrenville Chaska Bryon Hamilton Altoona Hudson Wausau Homestead Sartell Rochester Mayo Colby Colby
Sun Prairie Franklin Catholic Memorial Brookings River Ridge Kaukauna Waukon Rushford Peterson Kimberly Lake City Lincoln Way West
NAME
Isaiah Huber
Ty Strehlow
Devon Jones
Klayton Sattler
Sam Scholten Riley Zuhde
Alex Belongia
Jarod Epperson
Logan Uttecht Christian Connelly
Jack Fisher
RJ Holliday
Connor Neill Peyton Buckley Casey Bauman
Manny Struck Lincoln Carlson Thomas Scholten Gunnar Hensley
Lincoln Boetel Matt Francis Carter Robinson
Evan Bearth
TJ Murray Colton Hartford Eli Weber Eli Samuelson
Ben Limburg
JayVian Farr Tate Johnson Eli Oxner
Brian Witter
Ty Polson Walker Britz Jake Polson Jake Pecina Kyle Graham Logan Leonard Anthony Brewer
Seth Baker Koy Wilke
Jake Zeplin
Kade Lynott
Isaiah Ryan
David Addo Brycen Bell Curtis Haugen Keegan Andriano
DeMaris Williamson Jack Teigen Drew Jurgens
Ayden Rhodes
Ethan Mischke
Jacob Ludwig
T J Liggett
Quinton Adams
HT.
10
0
8
6
11
11
2
0
1
3
2
9
0
1
7
2
10
3
2
1
2
0
3
0
0
1
3
0
10
10
0
0
1
0
0
10 5 10
4
4 6 0 6 3 6 2 6 1
0
1 5 11 6 2 5 11
0
1 6 8
2
3
1
1
4
WT. 190 197 190 213 166 194 200 195 201 205 198 150 196 200 228 187 167 215 187 192 228 185 218 178 185 205 192 185 180 180 171 227 165 185 175 172 199 198 201 205 213 186 217 195 222 185 185 192 172 185 250 205 180 210 238 220
YEAR RFr Fr Jr Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr Jr Jr Fr So. Fr. Sr So Jr Fr Fr. So.
HOMETOWN Rochester, Minn Weston, Wis San Diego, Calif Tea, S.D. Brandon, S.D. Waunakee, Wis. Rice Lake, Wis Omaha, Neb Sioux Falls, S D Byron, Minn Rochester, Minn. Denver, Colo. Rockwall, Texas Rice Lake, Wis Sumas, Wash Sioux Falls, S D Sioux Falls, S.D. Brandon, S.D. Carlsbad, Calif. Harrisburg, S D Thornton, Colo Appleton, Wis Cottage Grove, Minn Baltimore, Md. Rapid City, S.D. Dawson, Minn. Comfrey, Minn Rochester, Minn Racine, Wis Brandon, S.D. Rapid City, S.D. Miramar, Fla. Reno, Nev Mankato, Minn Reno, Nev Forney, Texas Las Vegas, Nev. Minnetrista, Minn. Chandler, Ariz. Apple Valley, Calif Omaha, Neb Omaha, Neb Hawarden, Iowa Sterling, Ill. Wylie, Texas
Fort Dodge, Iowa Maple Grove, Minn Ankeny, Iowa Indianapolis, Ind Harrisburg, S.D. Brandon, S.D. Nevada, Iowa Westbrook, Minn Ashland, Neb Rosemount, Minn Lincoln, Neb
HIGH SCHOOL Century
D C Everest Schofield
Kearney High Design Tea Area
Brandon Valley Waunakee Community Rice Lake Skutt Catholic Washington Byron Century Riverdale Ridge West Mesquite Rice Lake Nooksack Valley O'Gorman Harrisburg Brandon Valley Mission Hills Harrisburg Horizon Appleton North Park
Boys Town Stevens Dawson Boyd Comfrey Rochester Lourdes J I Case Brandon Valley Stevens Miramar Damonte Ranch Mankato West Damonte Ranch Sunnyvale Arbor View Mount Westonka Chandler Apple Valley Elkhorn South Skutt Catholic West Sioux Sterling Wylie
Fort Dodge Senior Maple Grove Centennial Arsenal Technical Harrisburg Brandon Valley Nevada Westbrook Walnut Grove Ashland Greenwood Rosemount East
PREVIOUS SCHOOL
St Cloud State
Montana State
Utah
Howard Iowa State
Dakota Wesleyan St Johns (Minn )
Brayden
Jack
Bentley Boike Dallas
Isaak Sipple
Haden Wallace Zach Nickels Ryan Zatechka Matt Chitty
Joel DeHaai Trevor Burkhart Will Davis
Jett Lamb Chase Emsick Jorey Sorenson Brock Fox Brady Pfeifer
Conner Carroll Austin Rodriguez Corbin Wirkus Bryant Petska Jack Alexander Benjamin Roots Shan Acharya Nicholas Nelson Jacob Wagner Carson Wilson Blake Larson
James Preston Kellogg Jeremy Jenkins Bryce Bomgaars Connor Hansen Mario Oliva
Boyles Christian Jepperson Liam Francis Max Minor
Rollinger Mitchell Goodbary Liam Porter Brock Stiles Will Lynch
Patton Tyler Skradski Tyler Birn Jack Wilson
Gradee Sherman Josh Buddenhagen Grayson Diepenbrock Andrew Henrich Myles Taylor Nolan Milius Zachary Richardson Ben Kemp
Jr So.
260
308 278 276
298
266 310
So. RFr So So Fr Jr. Jr. Jr. So So Fr So. So. So. Jr Jr Fr Fr Fr.
Iowa Omaha, Neb. Gluek, Minn. Papillion, Neb. St Cloud, Minn Kansas City, Mo Rochester, Minn Omaha, Neb Nevada, Iowa Sioux Falls, S.D. Sioux Falls, S.D. Edina, Minn Onida,
Elkhorn, Neb
S D Treynor, Iowa Tea, S.D. Omaha, Neb Plano, Texas Baltic, S D Chippewa Falls, Wis Middleton, Wis. Scottsdale, Ariz. Omaha, Neb. Britton, S D Salem, S D Sioux Falls, S D Brandon, S D Des Moines, Iowa Omaha, Neb. Elgin, Ill. Alton, Iowa Aberdeen, S D Terra Verde, FL Lubbock, Texas Sioux Falls, S.D. Thornton, Colo. Scottsdale, Ariz Harrisburg, S D Sioux Falls, S D Rapid City, S D Altoona, Iowa Cedar Falls, Iowa Gilbert, Ariz. Omaha, Neb Appleton, Wis Sioux Falls, S D Viborg, S D Hartford, Wisc. Parker, Texas Omaha, Neb Coon Rapids, Minn Lincoln, Neb Canton, S D Minneapolis, Minn.
HIGH SCHOOL Lincoln Storm Lake Elkhorn South Dawson Boyd Papillion La Vista South Tech Park Hill Lourdes Westside Nevada Sioux Falls Christian Washington Edina Sully Buttes South Brandon Valley Treynor Tea Area Millard West Prestonwood Christian Baltic Chippewa Falls Middleton Desert Mountain Elkhorn North Britton Hecla McCook Central Washington Brandon Valley East Papillion La Vista South Elgin MOC Floyd Valley Roncalli
IMG Academy Coronado Brandon Valley Horizon Chaparral Harrisburg Sioux Falls Christian Central Southeast Polk Cedar Falls Highland Skutt Catholic East Washington Viborg Hurley Hartford Union Plano East Burke Coon Rapids Southwest Canton Henry Sibley
PREVIOUS SCHOOL
North Dakota
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL: LAST TIME OUT
Winona State defeats nationally ranked Sioux Falls 20 17 for Homecoming win
The University of Sioux Falls football team rolled into Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 22 with a No 11 national ranking, an unbeaten record, and a ten game winning streak dating back to 2021
They left with a loss
Playing in front of a homecoming crowd of nearly 4,600 fans enjoying an outstanding fall day, the Winona State University football team held the visiting Cougars the top rushing team in the NSIC to just 68 yards on the ground and used a run heavy offensive attack themselves to earn the biggest win of the Brian Bergstrom era, downing Sioux Falls, 20 17
Quarterbacks Kyle Haas and Trevor Paulsen combined for a 13 of 24 afternoon and 139 passing yards, and it was a 34 yard Paulsen strike to Joe Sikma in the fourth quarter tying the contest at 17 17 that gave WSU the momentum at a crucial point in the game
In the first half, Paulsen's Warrior teammate and quarterback compatriot Haas hit Cooper Nelson from 20 yards out to notch the other WSU offensive touchdown of the day Nelson's lunge at the goal line to tag the pylon allowed WSU to enter the break within striking distance of visiting USF, who had taken a 10 0 lead up to that point.
Heading into the locker room behind 10 7, the Warriors earned the opportunity to control both the clock and the outcome in the second half, and the Warriors did just that
Winona State conceded a third quarter score to the Cougars after the break, with USF's Ethan Wittenburg hauling in a 42 yard pass from Adam Mullen to stretch the Sioux Falls lead to 17 7
However, Winona State would tally the next three scores and receive a key interception by Brian Corbins, Jr to pull off the upset win, sending the Warrior crowd home happy
After the Cougars' Mullen Wittenburg touchdown, the Warriors drove 53 yards in 12 plays in the middle of the third quarter to allow placekicker Jacob Scott to connect from 35 yards out, pulling Winona State to within just one touchdown at 17 10.
That TD came just after the start of the fourth quarter, as Paulsen's pass to Joe Sikma hit paydirt in the end zone, and after Scott's successful PAT, the two teams were level at 17 17
After a pair of unsuccessful drives for both teams, Winona State again turned to the run game, reeling off seven straight rushing plays all by Sam Santiago Lloyd to position Scott for another field goal attempt Scott split the uprights from 43 yards away, pushing the scoreboard to 20 17 in favor of Winona State with just over nine minutes to play
WSU had another opportunity to add to their lead after a long drive put the Warriors in the red zone on the USF seven yard line. Winona State went for it on fourth and one and were stopped, turning the ball over on downs However, the play call also served as a de facto punt, pinning the Cougars deep in their own half
Minutes later, after stopping the Cougars and forcing a punt, WSU drove again with promise but found themselves faced with another fourth down decision at the USF 29 yard line. This time, the Warrior faithful then saw quarterback Paulsen drop back and pull off a pooch punt, placing a short, surprise kick into the Cougar's secondary.
On the ensuing drive from Sioux Falls, Brian Corbins, Jr then picked off a Mullen pass attempt at 1:01 to go, allowing the Warriors to run out the clock with a pair of kneel downs in victory formation, and a final score of 20 17.
On the ground, Sam Santiago Lloyd led Winona State with 22 carries for 64 yards. Ty Gavin added eight attempts, all in the second half, adding 25 yards to the Warrior effort, while Paulsen scrambled for 14 more.
Joe Sikma, Cooper Nelson and Ricky Smalling combined for 143 yards receiving for Winona State, with Sikma and Nelson notching touchdowns
Defensively, Winona State was led by Mitch Snitker who racked up 14 tackles including several open field stops that stymied potential long yardage plays by the Cougars Ikenna Ujuagu added a sack and forced fumble among his four stops while fellow Warriors Darius Manuel and Kyjuan Vengrowsky combined for three more sacks on the day.
The win over a ranked opponent is the first since Sept 8, 2018, when the Warriors beat a then ranked No. 14 Sioux Falls team 16 15 in Winona WSU also defeated Sioux Falls last season, 14 10, the last loss Sioux Falls suffered over the past year until Saturday.
Head Coach
Brian Bergstrom
Brian Bergstrom was hired
Bergstrom comes to the W Hired in March 2017 at NC
Bergstrom has 17 years of collegiate coaching experience and owns a strong network of recruiting connections cultivated over stops at Augustana University and Gustavus Adolphus College, his alma mater While at Augustana, Bergstrom was a part of a Viking staff that won a share of the 2015 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference South Division title. That same year, Augustana earned a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs. While on staff at South Dakota State, Bergstrom has been a part of five consecutive Jackrabbit playoff teams, earning three trips to the FCS national semifinals, including a runner up finish.
Putting his stamp on strong defensive teams has been a trademark of Bergstrom at all levels While at South Dakota State, the Jackrabbits were the third best FCS program in terms of total interceptions in 2020 21 with 12 and were ranked eighth in turnovers gained with 17 on the year
Originally from Burnsville, Minnesota, Bergstrom earned both all Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and honorable mention All America selection as a linebacker. He was named team Most Valuable Player and was a team captain. In addition, Bergstrom was a CoSIDA Academic All America honoree and was named the recipient of an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship
Bergstrom went on to state, "We praise God for this opportunity and are overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude to the many individuals that have supported, impacted, and invested in us. Thank you to our families, our former coaching colleagues, families, administrators, our former players, President Dr. Scott Olson, Athletic Director Eric Schoh, the hiring committee, and the Football Players Association In addition, I would like to express my appreciation to Coach Sawyer and the football coaching staff, and to all the Warrior football student athletes past and present Thank you for believing in us "
Bergstrom, his wife Kate and their three children, Krayton, Beckett and Berkley, reside in Winona
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY
The Winona State University football team was picked to finish fourth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Football Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced today by the league. In addition, Payton Dachel and Carter Duxbury were named as the WSU offensive and defensive players to watch, respectively.
Payton Dachel was the only offensive lineman to earn the Player to Watch designation on offense this year in the league, a tip of the Warrior helmet to Dachel's impact on a strong 2021 Winona State offense last season. The 6'3", 300 lb. lineman will be a standout for Winona State this fall. Last year, the WSU offense averaged nearly 120 yards on the ground per game and threw for almost 250 yards per contest. Dachel provided protection that allowed quarterback Owen Burke become No. 3 all time in the Winona State total offense category with 7,123 total yards. The junior from Bloomer, Wis. also opened holes on the line for several Warrior running backs to have standout games in 2021, including Javian Roebuck's three TD performance in the WSU opener against Concordia St. Paul, a game in which Roebuck had 122 yards rushing in the first half.
Carter Duxbury is one of the top defensive players in the NSIC, and in all of NCAA Division II football, as evidenced by his placement on the Lindy's Sports Preseason All America list announced earlier this summer. All America is a familiar two word phrase associated with Duxbury, as he has collected AP All American awards for his performance on the field last season, and CoSIDA Academic All American for his success in the classroom last academic year The Chatfield, Minn product was the 2021 NSIC Defensive Player of the Year, racking up a league leading 11 sacks Duxbury's stellar accomplishments stand out even further when considering his comeback effort from a season ending injury in 2019 Duxbury will be a key cog in the Warrior wheel, led by co defensive coordinators Brian Curtin (25th season) and Spencer Erickson (1st season)
Winona State, led by first year head coach Brian Bergstrom, will open up the 2022 season on the road at Minot State University on Saturday, Sept 3 The Warriors and Beavers are set to kickoff at 1 p m in Herb Parker Stadium in Minot, North Dakota. WSU and Minot State have not faced off since the 2019 season, when Winona State drubbed MSU, 49 3. On that day, the Warriors' defense was dominant, holding the Beavers to just 97 rushing yards and forcing the visitors to punt four times.
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WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS ADMINISTRATION
Prior to joining Winona State, Dr Olson served as Provost, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, and Professor of Communication Studies at Minnesota State University, Mankato During his time at Minnesota State Mankato, it saw significant growth in enrollment, diversity, innovation, industry partnerships, international programs, system collaboration, and applied research
He served as Dean of the College of Communication, Information, and Media at Ball State University and as a faculty member at Central Connecticut State University He also served for one year as Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
He has published two books, 30 book chapters, and 22 journal articles in publications in the United States, Canada, China, Korea, Poland, Russia, and India He has delivered over 100 papers at conferences in Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Korea, Poland, Taiwan, and the United States.
Through a $20 million gift from the Lilly Endowment he was able to create the Global Media Network (which won a national award from the American Council on Education) and the Center for Media Design
Olson has served on 21 different international, national, and local boards, including current service on the Great River Shakespeare Festival Board of Directors, the Higher Learning Commission Institutional Actions Council, the Winona State University Foundation Board, and as Chair of the Executive Alliance of HealthForce Minnesota
He won an Emmy Award and a Cine Golden Eagle Award in 2004 as Executive Producer of a documentary film about digital learning His Ph D is from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois He grew up in suburban Minneapolis
Dr Scott R Olson was appointed the 15th president of Winona State University on May 16, 2012WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION
Eric Schoh started with the Warriors on June 11, 2012 He has almost three decades of athletics experience in Division II, 17 as an athletic director in the NSIC, and is in his tenth year as the director of athletics at Winona State
During his time as an AD, Schoh has served on the Division II Management Council from 2016 2020, serving as Vice Chair of the Council in 2018 Also during that time, he served on the DII Identity Subcommittee, and acted as chairperson in 2019 Other NCAA committee involvement included Championships Committee, Planning and Finance, DII Administrative Committee, DII Membership Committee, and the DII Committee for Legislative Relief. Schoh is the Past President of the Division II Athletic Directors Association and previously served on the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics’ (NACDA) executive committee Schoh served on NACDA's Learfield Sports Directors' Cup Committee for several years, and stays involved with the D2ADA through its Mentoring Program, serving both as a mentor and faculty presenter over the past 11 years Schoh was the recipient of the Under Armor Athletics Director of the Year award in 2015
With a strong commitment to the student athlete experience, Warrior student athletes have continued to excel in the classroom and give back to the Winona area through community service During spring 2021, the average student athlete term GPA was 3 43 (compared to 3 28 for the general student body) and the second highest on record The average student athlete cumulative GPA through spring 2021 was 3.37 (compared to 3.22 for the general student body). There were 101 Warriors with perfect 4.0 GPAs in spring 2021, with 196 making the Dean’s List The latest NCAA Federal Graduation Rate for the Warriors is 78%, which ranks first in the NSIC and 22nd out of 316 institutions in Division II
Over the past nine years, Warrior Athletic facilities have seen many improvements, including a complete renovation of McCown Gymnasium; installation of new turf and state of the art video board at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium; construction of a new gymnastics practice facility and locker room; an indoor training facility for men’s and women’s golf; new batting cages and practice mounds at softball; new infield, mound and scoreboard at baseball; complete renovation of Talbot Gymnasium, including a multi purpose synthetic floor; remodeled W Room for home volleyball and basketball games; and the installation of a film room for all teams.
Schoh served as athletic director at Wayne State College from 2004 12. At Wayne State, Schoh helped build Wildcat Athletics into a consistent presence on both the regional and national level Wayne State won 13 NSIC regular season championships and six more conference tournament titles The WSC women’s basketball team advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in 2012 and ended the season ranked fourth in the nation. More than 20 teams advanced to NCAA Tournament play under Schoh’s leadership.
A native of La Crescent, Minn , Schoh holds both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Iowa State University Schoh also has worked as the Associate Athletic Director for Development at California State University, Bakersfield (2002 04); the Associate Athletic Director at the University of South Dakota (1999 2002); and as an Assistant Athletic Director at Montana State University, Billings (1995 97)
Schoh and his wife Stephanie have three children and one grandson: Paige and River, Eric and Tyler
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION
Melanie was named Associate Athletic Director on May 17, 2018 and assumed her new role with the Warriors in July.
Previously, Brunsdon spent the past five years as the Assistant Athletic Director at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky where she oversaw compliance along with direct supervision over the men's and women's golf programs At Bellarmine, she was a member and chair of the Staff Council, served on the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee and the Title IX Committee
Brunsdon is also a member of the National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC) Division II Committee. Prior to her time at Bellarmine, she served as the Associate Athletic Director/Director of Compliance at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois from 2012 13.
Brunsdon's connection with the NSIC includes roles as the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Student Life/Senior Woman Administrator at Minot State University from 2009 12 and serving as the Director of Athletic Recruiting at Upper Iowa University from 2008 09.
Brunsdon earned a pair of bachelor's degrees in sport management (with a coaching endorsement) and psychology at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa
The Brandon, Wisconsin native will reside in Winona with her husband, Paul, daughter, Madeline, and twin boys, Cade and Graham
Jill Bratberg is the Assistant Athletic Director for Development and has been part of WSU Athletics since 2012. She is responsible for securing corporate partnerships for Warrior Athletics and is also in charge of coordinating large events within the department, such as the Winona State Athletic Hall of Fame banquet, Scholarship Night Fundraiser, and the Warrior Club Golf Classic She also assists with ticketing and serves as the department's liaison to the Warrior Club
She grew up in Winona and graduated from University of Wisconsin La Crosse with a degree in Sports Management in 1990. A former tennis student athlete at UW L and was inducted into the WIAC Century All Time Women’s Team in 2012 and inducted into the UW La Crosse Wall of Fame in 2014
Jill and her family live in Trempealeau, WI.
Bree Larsen is entering her seventh year as the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance at Winona State University in 2021 2022.
Larsen is responsible for all aspects of compliance within the WSU’s athletic program Her main responsibilities include developing procedures and policies to monitor and ensure compliance with all NCAA and NSIC rules and regulations, verify student eligibility to participate in university athletics and process all student athlete scholarships.
She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, earning her Bachelor of Science in exercise sport science/physical education teaching in 2003 She then earned her Master of Science in sport management from Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Georgia in 2005
Larsen lives in Winona with her husband Corey, a former WSU student athlete, their three sons, Riley, Logan, Colt and daughter Annabelle.
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION
Cameron Keller is the Associate Athletic Director for Winona State Athletics He leads game management for all sports and serves as the game administrator for Warrior home contests
Keller has been a part of WSU athletics since 2011, and served on the Winona State football coaching staff for ten seasons. Before WSU, Keller made coaching stops at Culver Stockton and Hastings College, where he also worked as an administrator
Keller, a graduate of Hastings College with a bachelor's degree in Political Science, earned his Master of Science degree in Sports Management from American University.
Cameron lives in Winona, Minn. with his wife, Michelle, and their two children, Marin and Kyle.
Justin Loehr is the Associate Athletic Director for Student Athlete Services and has been part of WSU Athletics since 2008. He grew up in Onalaska, Wisconsin and then, after two years at the University of Wisconsin Madison, graduated with highest honors from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse with degrees in History and Political Science in 2007 Loehr then earned a Master’s degree in Education: Student Affairs Administration Emphasis, also from UW L, in 2009.
His experiences in Student Affairs are vast and include stops in Admissions, Advising, New Student Orientation, Student Activities, Career Counseling, Residence Life, and Classroom Instruction
Justin lives in La Crosse, Wis. with his wife, Ginny, and their daughters, Ava, Hattie and their son, Louis
Danica Perner started as the Assistant Athletic Director for Student Athlete Services at Winona State in July of 2018 She previously served as the Student Athlete Services Learning Specialist at WSU from 2017 2018.
A native of Spencer, Wisconsin, Danica graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse in May 2017. While at UW La Crosse, she was a member of the volleyball team, as well as a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Danica earned her Master of Science degree in Leadership Education: Sport Management from Winona State in May 2018.
Danica lives in Galesville, Wis. with her husband, Jake, their son, Jaxon, and dog, Riggins.
Dr. Kara Lindaman serves as the NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) for Winona State athletics, a role she has held since 2018. A FAR is a member of the faculty at an NCAA member institution who has been designated by the institution to serve as a liason between the institution and the athletics department, and also as a representative of the institution in conference and NCAA affairs
The role of the FAR is to ensure that the academic institution establishes and maintains the appropriate balance between academics and intercollegiate athletics.
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION
Pete Watkins joined the Winona State University Athletic Department as the Director of Athletic Communications in the spring of 2020.
A resident of Winona since 2011, Watkins brings over 25 years of experience within college athletics to the Warrior staff Watkins currently serves on the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
Between 2016 and 2020, Watkins served the Minnesota State Colleges and University system as the executive director of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC), one of the largest National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) leagues in the country
Prior to his work with the MCAC, Watkins was a college soccer coach and instructor in sports management at four different NCAA institutions before retiring from coaching and teaching in 2016. Watkins completed his college coaching career with an overall record of 158 140 31, garnered across both genders and all three NCAA levels.
Watkins is a professional member of CoSIDA, the College Sports Information Directors of America, as well as the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) and United Soccer Coaches, formerly known as National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
Watkins and his wife Laura have three children; Campbell, Mae and Seth and the family resides in Winona, Minnesota
Joey Mueller joined the Warrior Athletics staff in August 2021 as an Assistant Athletic Communications Director
The Hutchinson, Minnesota native earned his BA in Mathematics Education from Bethel University in 2021. At Bethel, Mueller competed on the men’s tennis team, was a student assistant coach for the Bethel women’s basketball team, and served as a member on Bethel’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
During his time at Winona, Mueller will pursue a master’s degree in Leadership Education: Sports Management