The best and brightest future physical education teachers and athletic trainers were honored at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point School of Physical Education & Athletic Training 2014 Recognition Awards Banquet on Friday, April 25 at the CPS Cafe. [Photo Gallery]
COLONEL M. AND PHYLLIS NEMEC SCHOLARSHIP
Recipient: Abigail Strobel
Colonel Nemec graduated from UW-Stevens Point in 1968 with a degree in political science. Phyllis graduated from UW-Stevens Point in 1967 with a degree in physical education and elementary education. Colonel and Phyllis were non-traditional students. Phyllis competed on early field hockey teams, coached by Marge Spring, as a 39-year-old student-athlete with three children, playing with and against women 15-20 years younger.
This scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a physical education degree, exhibiting a strong interest in the adapted physical education program; preference will be given to non-traditional students, who have military experience.
EDDIE KOTAL MEMORIAL AWARD
Recipient: Nicholas Geiger
This award was established in 1973 to recognize the contributions of Eddie Kotal, former coach at UW-Stevens Point. While at UW-Stevens Point, Eddie coached football, basketball, boxing and track and field teams. He left Stevens Point to become a coach and scout for the Green Bay Packers and later for the Los Angeles Rams. Mr. Kotal died in January 1973, three months after his induction into the UWSP Athletic Hall of Fame.
This award is given to a student who has demonstrated scholastic achievement and financial need and is active in co-curricular activities.
CAROL HUETTIG MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Recipient: Amanda Zygarlicke
Carol Huettig taught and coached at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point from 1981-89. She was a masterful leader, inspiring students and athletes to continually raise their goals and perform to their maximum abilities. As a specialist in adapted physical education, Carol was a passionate advocate for underserved populations, particularly children. Her research focused on ways to improve services to children with disabilities, and she shared that information by authoring many articles and books and speaking at conferences throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Carol was very intuitive about individuals’ feelings. She had a gift for sensing the needs of people and reaching out to assist them in any way that would protect their dignity and self worth. Last, but not least, she was a lover of dogs, a great cook and knew how to throw a fabulous party!
This award is to provide a scholarship for physical education majors with an emphasis in adapted physical education.
DR. MARJORIE SPRING ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
Recipient: Hannah Morgan
Marjorie Spring’s contributions to UWSP during her 18 year tenure as an educator in elementary physical education and coach in women’s field hockey and track and field are still being felt today. During her tenure, Marjorie created opportunities for women to compete in athletics that paved the way for women athletes today. Her foresight in providing hands-on teaching opportunities for students studying to be teachers created the motor development and adapted physical education programs. Additionally, Marjorie has the unique distinction of being the first woman inducted into the UWSP Athletic Hall of Fame.
This scholarship is awarded to a physical education major interested in working with elementary students in PE or adapted PE. The student must possess a strong academic performance and be recommended for this scholarship by a faculty member in PEAT.
MARGARET AND HENRY (TINY) BANNACH SCHOLARSHIP
Recipient: Nicholas Prebelski
This scholarship was established by Mary Stevens and Kitty Schuler, daughters of Margaret and Henry Bannach. Mrs. Bannach was a 1934 elementary education graduate. Mr. Bannach, nicknamed “Tiny,” was a 1930 graduate of the same program and went on to receive a master’s degree from UW-Madison. Tiny Bannach played football, basketball and baseball and was inducted into the UWSP Athletic Hall of Fame in 1971. He was given the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1982.
The scholarship is awarded to a student majoring in elementary education or physical education to benefit the student during his/her student teaching experience.
NANCY PAGE PEAT SCHOLARSHIP
Recipient: Amanda Zygarlicke
Nancy Page was a teacher and coach at UWSP from 1973-2004, coaching field hockey (1973-85), softball (1980-90) and tennis (1986-2004). Nancy taught numerous activity classes inside and outside the physical education major and was generally responsible for teaching 175-200 students a semester. Her teaching day may have featured teaching two hours each of badminton, cross country skiing and tennis with enough energy left to play tennis in the late afternoon or evening. Her passion for sports and activity served as an outstanding role model for students and staff. Nancy was active in promoting women sports and is a charter member of the Women’s Athletic Fund.
This scholarship is awarded to a physical education major of junior or senior standing, with demonstrated academic success, financial need and community involvement.
HALE QUANDT MEMORIAL AWARD
Recipient: Nicholas Prebelski
Friends and associates of the late Hale Quandt established this award in 1969. Hale’s initial assignment on campus was the unenviable task of working with the basketball and football programs at a time when men’s athletics had been eliminated at the university because there were too few men to create a team, due to World War II. He served as athletic director at UW-Stevens Point for 18 years.
The award is given to a student of junior or senior status, who has demonstrated strong citizenship on campus and in the community with an interest in the coaching profession.
DALE H. & ELDORA I. VOLLRATH PHYSICAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
Recipient: Matthew Landolt
Dale H. Vollrath completed his undergraduate degree at UW-Stevens Point in history with a minor in mathematics and physics in 1959. He took additional course work at UW-Madison, UW-Green Bay, UW-Whitewater, University of Western Illinois, London, Texas A&M, Berline Volshochsule and completed his master’s in history (MSE) at UW-Oshkosh. Dale taught three years at Clintonville and 28 years at Green Bay East. Eldora Vollrath completed her undergraduate degree UW-Stevens Point in home economics with a minor in physical education and physical science in 1955. She taught home economics and physical education for one year at Spencer and then stayed home to raise their three children. In 1980, she was hired as a full-time home economics teacher and taught in every junior and senior high in Green Bay, retiring in 1991. She was the first president of the Green Bay Substitute Teachers Union. They have been blessed to have traveled to more than 80 countries.
This award is given annually to a UWSP student majoring in physical education with a teaching emphasis.
PAUL J. STADDLER HONORARY SCHOLARSHIP
Recipient: Julie Martin
Paul Staddler graduated from UWSP in 1982 with a degree in physical education and health education. Following several years of work for Glaxo Corporation, Paul began a very successful teaching and coaching career in the Wisconsin Rapids School District, where he was recognized as a Kohl Outstanding Teacher. Paul and his wife Doris worked their way through college; therefore, this scholarship was a life goal of Paul’s to assist students with their college expenses. He also felt the scholarship was a way to honor faculty and staff at UWSP for the guidance and many kindnesses they offered. Paul’s hope is that, at some point in their lives, the recipients of this scholarship will find the means and opportunities to enhance the lives of future students. Paul died on Sept. 3, 2004, at the age of 45 after a courageous battle with leukemia.
This scholarship is awarded to junior or senior physical education major with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
JUDITH ANN HERROLD ATHLETIC TRAINING PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIP
Recipient: Rachel Popelka
This chartered endowed scholarship was created by Judith Herrold to recognize and honor a student possessing the academic and personal knowledge to become an athletic training professional. Judith dedicated 34 years of service to UWSP in the areas of teaching, advising, faculty governance and student advocacy.
This scholarship is awarded to a student who has been officially accepted into the UWSP athletic training major and has completed, or be currently enrolled in, a minimum of two-three semesters in the UWSP athletic training major.
DUAINE COUNSELL SCHOLARSHIP
Recipient: Abigail Strobel
The family of Duaine Counsell created this award in 1991. Duaine, a UWSP alumnus, was a faculty member for 31 years returning to Stevens Point in 1957 as a head football coach and teaching courses in physical education, drivers’ education, recreation and safety education.
This award is given to an upper class, physical education major returning for at least one more year at UWSP. The student must demonstrate academic excellence and be involved in extra-curricular and community functions.
KIM COUNSELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Recipient: Matthew Landolt
The family and friends of Kim Counsell created this award in 1978. She was a graduate of UWSP with a major in elementary education and was 28 years old at the time of her tragic death.
This award recognizes exceptional potential of a student in the physical education major to work with elementary school children and honors the memory of the late Kim Counsell.
FRIEND OF PEAT
Recipient: Frank O’Brien
Outstanding Students
ATHLETIC TRAINING
Sophomore: Colton Funk
Junior: Frederick “Max” Vermeern
Senior: Abby Reynolds
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Sophomore: Nancy Xiong
Junior: Hannah Morgan
Senior: Matt Jurasewicz
MINORS
Adventure Education: Kara Rasmussen
Coaching: Marki Nelson
Health Education: Ryan Piccolo