UW-Superior to Add Men's and Women's Varsity Golf Teams for 2015-16 Season
Jon Garver
SUPERIOR, WIS. -- The University of Wisconsin-Superior has announced that Yellowjacket Athletics will be adding teams in men’s and women’s golf, and both programs will be operating at full varsity status beginning with the fall 2015 semester.
In a combined statement, UW-Superior Chancellor Dr. Renee Wachter and Athletics Director Steve Nelson confirmed the addition of the two teams to UW-Superior’s existing athletics roster.
“We are thrilled to have the chance to add two sports to our athletics department at the University of Wisconsin-Superior,” Nelson said. “We are excited to have still another avenue to provide opportunities for student-athletes to be engaged and enjoy success at UW-Superior.”
The addition of men’s and women’s golf comes as UW-Superior departs the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) after more than a century of membership. Beginning in 2015-16 Yellowjacket sports teams, with the exception of men’s and women’s hockey who will remain in the WIAC), will compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC).
“The addition of men’s and women’s golf further aligns us with the members of our new conference,” Nelson said. “It is important to our university that we continue to grow and important to our conference that we be strong, active members and offer programs that not only benefit our university but our conference partners as well, and this move provides all of that.”
Recently, the College of St. Scholastica announced the addition of men’s and women’s varsity golf teams. Further, Northland College already sponsors men’s and women’s golf as varsity sports, giving the UMAC three schools in a one-hour radius sponsoring the sports.
“With three schools this close together, it makes it relatively easy for us to hold meets in conjunction with one another without having to strain the departments financially, which in this climate is of utmost importance,” Nelson said. “The financial aspect of this really makes the addition of men’s and women’s golf a ‘no-brainer.’ The financial commitment that comes with golf is minimal compared to other sports, making the return a substantial one for the department and the university as a whole.”
The move resurrects the women’s golf program that was suspended following the 2008-09 academic year. Meanwhile UW-Superior will have a varsity men’s golf program after a 30-year hiatus, fielding a team for the first time since 1986-87.
The Yellowjacket women’s team will be coached by Roger Plachta. Plachta, who has been the Yellowjacket softball coach since 2000, also coached the women’s golf team from 2002 until the program’s 2009 suspension. At the 2008 WIAC championship, Plachta guided the Yellowjackets to a fifth place finish.
“Roger had the program moving in the right direction and it was unfortunate timing for us that we had to suspend the program when we did in 2009,” Nelson said. “Roger is excited to rebuild the program and be running at full speed when we enter UMAC play in the fall.”
On the men’s side, Dan Stauber will take the helm of the program. Stauber, who has been the men’s hockey coach at UW-Superior since 2000 will be making his first foray into the world of collegiate golf.
“Over the years Dan has proven to be a very astute coach in hockey and even though he hasn’t coached golf at the college level, he has a deep knowledge and understanding of the sport,” Nelson said. “He is excited to be able to build a program from the ground up.
“The addition of men’s and women’s golf is very positive for the University of Wisconsin-Superior and for our athletics department. We are excited to be able to play a pivotal role in the recruiting and retention efforts on this campus and provide greater opportunities for students as well.”
Schedules for 2015-16 will be released at a later date. For more information on Yellowjacket women’s golf contact head coach Roger Plachta in his office at 715-395-4622. More information on the Yellowjacket men’s golf team is available from head coach Dan Stauber, who can be reached at 715-394-8362.