A Legacy of Achievement: Exploring the History of Lawrence University Athletics

Lawrence University, a distinguished liberal arts college and conservatory of music nestled in Appleton, Wisconsin, boasts a rich history that extends beyond academics and into the realm of athletics. Since its founding in 1847, Lawrence has fostered a commitment to excellence, both in the classroom and on the field. This article delves into the captivating story of Lawrence University athletics, from its humble beginnings to its celebrated achievements.

Early Days and the Rise of Intercollegiate Competition

The seeds of Lawrence athletics were sown in 1868 with the emergence of baseball as a popular pastime. However, the true dawn of intercollegiate competition arrived in 1889 when Lawrence extended an invitation to Ripon College for a track and field meet. This event served as a catalyst, leading to further athletic contests between the two institutions. In 1891, Lawrence and Ripon College, along with other schools, convened in Oshkosh to establish the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association, solidifying the foundation for organized collegiate sports in the region.

Football Takes Center Stage

Football quickly ascended to prominence in the early years of Lawrence athletics. The inaugural season in 1893 was led by coach David H. Walker. Two more football coaching legends had great influences on Lawrence's athletic history: Bernie Heselton and Ron Roberts. Heselton coached the football team from 1938-64 and served as director of athletics. Roberts joined the football staff in 1963 and took over as head coach in 1965. He amassed a 121-54-1 record while his teams won six conference championships and advanced to the semifinals of the 1981 NCAA Division III playoffs.

Defining the Viking Identity

Prior to the mid-1920s, Lawrence athletic teams were known as the Blues or the Blue-Somethings (for example, the swimmers were the Blue Fish). In January 1926, the sports staff of the student newspaper, The Lawrentian, held a contest to pick a new mascot or team name, with the winner to go to the Lawrence-Hilltop basketball game in Milwaukee. The winner was Steven Cincowsky '29, and the vote was Vikings 252, Blue Jays 56, Trojans 46.

Trailblazers and Champions

The annals of Lawrence athletics are filled with the names of extraordinary individuals who have left an indelible mark on the university's sporting legacy.

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Legends of Lawrence athletics stretch back to men like the Tippets, Ralph, Earl and Walter, who were football, basketball and tennis standouts for the school before World War I. Lawrence's first All-American was track standout Jim Fieweger '43 and the first football All-American was Claude Radtke '50.

The Growth of Women's Athletics

Women's sports were established at Lawrence in 1974 with tennis and basketball followed in 1975. In the next decade, Lawrence would have women's teams in track and field, cross country, volleyball, soccer, swimming and softball. It was women's sports that gave Lawrence its first national champion as Diana Ling '94 won the long jump at the 1994 NCAA Division III Championships indoors at UW-Oshkosh.

Memorable Moments: A Celebration of Excellence

In celebration of the 175th anniversary of Lawrence University’s founding in 1847, the Department of Athletics chose the top 25 moments in Lawrence sports history.

1. Men's Basketball Dominance (2005-06)

The 2005-06 men's basketball team, building on momentum from a deep NCAA tournament run the year before, posts a 22-0 regular season and becomes the No. 1 ranked NCAA Division III team in the nation. The 2005-06 team also became only the second team in MWC history to achieve a No. 1 national ranking.

2. Upset over St. Norbert in Hockey

The St. Norbert College men's hockey team was unbeatable with a third-period lead at home. Riding a 40-game win streak when leading after two periods, second-ranked St. Norbert looked like it was on its way to No. The Vikings then started their improbable comeback just 27 seconds later when Gustav Lindgren scored off assists from William Thoren and Ryan Eardley to cut the lead to 4-2. The Vikings edged even closer when Renato Engler scored off assists from Rudi Pino and Paul Zuke. Time was growing short as the clocked ticked below two minutes remaining when Matt Moore got loose in the St. Norbert zone. With passes coming from Ryan Rumble and Brandon Boelter, Moore beat St. With overtime looming, rookie forward Blake Roubos shook off the St. Norbert defense, corralling a pass from Boelter, and beat Kujava with just 22 seconds remaining in regulation for a 5-4 lead.

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3. The Perfect Football Season (1967)

Forty-three men barreling into history. Like a freight train knocking opponents out of the way on a weekly basis. The 1967 Vikings were led by captains and Appleton natives Chuck McKee and Gary Hietpas and had legendary coach Ron Roberts on the sidelines. The Vikings became the football team in school history to go 8-0 and just the third team in Lawrence history to post a perfect season. In the wake of the perfect season, McKee and Hietpas both earned Associated Press All-America honors. McKee, the team's star quarterback, was a first-team selection. Lawrence had 11 players, more than one-quarter of the team, named to the All-Midwest Conference squad that season.

4. Koula's Record-Breaking Performance

On a sunny, breezy Oct. 15, 2011, Koula etched her named in the NCAA record book by scoring three goals in just 42 seconds. In the process, she broke the NCAA record for fastest hat trick held by the world-renowned star Wambach, who had the set the Division I record of 2:02 in her time at the University of Florida. Koula also became Lawrence's most prolific goal scorer that day as she hit 56 goals to break the career record of Hall of Famer Megan Tiemann.

5. Gattnar's Fencing Prowess

A native of Slovakia, Gattnar qualified for the NCAA Championships at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Gattnar put together a a 104-16 record for the season, and that still stands as the school season record for victories. Gattnar followed that up with an 86-21 record the following year for a career mark of 190-37.

6. Softball Makes NCAA Debut (1998)

The 1998 NCAA Division III Tournament was the first for the Lawrence softball team, but the Vikings didn't look like rookies at the Big Dance. Lawrence won its first two games at the West Regional and scored one of the great wins in school history against No. Lawrence had just won it second straight Midwest Conference title, and the Vikings got their first NCAA Tournament berth. The Vikings opened regional play with the University of St. Thomas, and the game was scoreless heading to the seventh inning. With one out, Lawrence's Joy Rogatzki singled off St. Thomas starter Kelly Weyandt. Lawrence starter Sara Schye had blanked the Tommies for six innings, but St. Thomas had a runner on with one out in the bottom of the seventh. That's when second baseman Aly Martin made a great running catch in right field and doubled off the runner to end the game. That put Lawrence in a showdown against Chapman, who had a 31-6 record, two All-Americans in the lineup and an offense averaging more than six runs per game. Schye got her team going when she led off the game with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. After Jenny Batog walked, Lisa Bryfczynski singled to load the bases. Rogatzki's sacrifice fly scored Schye, and the Vikings led 1-0. Schye singled again in the third and went to second on Batog's bunt, but the throw to second was wild. Schye took care of the rest as the fireballing left-hander tossed a four-hit shutout.

Other Moments

Lawrence football makes ABC-TV debut vs. No. 25 Lawrence football makes ABC-TV debut vs. No. Other long-time coaches with tremendous contributions to the college include Art Denney (1923-64), Mary Poulson (1964-93) and Gene Davis (1959-91). Denney coached cross country and track and field and served as director of athletics. Poulson was a pioneer in women's sports and coached tennis, basketball, volleyball and fencing. In the 2003-04 season, Lawrence won the MWC title and qualified for the NCAA Division III Tournament. Lawrence would go all the way to the Elite Eight before dropping a heartbreaker in overtime to eventual national champion UW-Stevens Point with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

Hall of Fame: Recognizing Excellence

St. Lawrence University Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreation is proud to announce the selection of six individuals and three teams into its Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025: Ross Molloy '98, Keith Merrill '06, James McAvity '07, Dan McElvaine '08, President Emeritus Dan Sullivan '65, and retired Director of Athletics Margie Strait M'73 earn the honor as individuals, while the 2008, 2009 and 2010 women's rowing teams will be inducted as teams.

Individual Inductees

Ross Molloy '98: A versatile athlete, Molloy captained St. Lawrence's tennis team to national recognition, earning a top-30 ranking and multiple conference honors.
Keith Merrill '06: Merrill was a cornerstone of St. Lawrence's squash program, earning first-team All-Conference honors all four years and leading the team to its first Liberty League title in 2006.
James McAvity '07: McAvity began his St. Lawrence career strong being named the Liberty League's first-ever Rookie of the Year during the 2003-04 season. A four-year member of the All-Liberty League team, won two championships with Chris Abplanalp and the Saints, taking home the title in the 2005-06, and 2006-07 seasons.
Daniel McElvaine '08: McElvaine made an immediate impact in his first-year season, earning both Liberty League Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors in 2004-05. A four-time All-Liberty League selection, he repeated as Player of the Year in 2005-06, leading St. Lawrence and head coach Chris Abplanalp to their first-ever Liberty League Championship.
President Emeritus Dan Sullivan '65: A multi-sport athlete, Sullivan excelled in soccer, basketball, and baseball at St. Lawrence, earning MVP honors in soccer. A Phi Beta Kappa member, Sullivan returned to St. Lawrence as its president in 1996, championing the integration of athletics and academics.
Margie Strait M'73: A legendary administrator and coach, Strait elevated St. Lawrence athletics by adding seven new teams and transitioning women's hockey to Division I. As Athletic Director, she oversaw transformative projects, including the construction of Robie Squash Center, Newell Field House, the St. Lawrence Boathouse, and Leckonby Stadium.

Team Inductees

2008, 2009, and 2010 Women's Rowing Teams: Guided by current director of rowing and head women's coach Nick Hughes, the three teams from 2008-2010 dominated the Liberty League, earning three straight trips to the NCAA Championships.

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