UW-Whitewater Warhawks
Encyclopedia
The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks (casually known as the UW-Whitewater Warhawks or Warhawks) are the athletic teams of the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. Twenty Warhawk athletic teams compete in NCAA Division III. The Warhawks currently rank 6th out of all NCAA Division III schools in the [NACDA Director's Cup]] standings.
, under former coach and UW-Whitewater alum Bob Berezowitz (UW-Whitewater 1967), who had quarterbacked the UW-Whitewater team as the runner-up in the 1966 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics playoffs. Following the 2006 season, Berezowitz retired, and alum and former assistant Lance Leipold
(UW-Whitewater 1987) was named Warhawk head coach. The Warhawks opened the 2007 with a victory, then suffered their first regular-season defeat since 2004, 26-16 to NCAA Division II's St. Cloud State. The Warhawks followed this up, by going undefeated through the remainder of the season, including a come-from behind victory over then-No. 6 UW–La Crosse, and dominating then-No. 2 Mary Hardin-Baylor. After finishing the regular season with a 9-1 record, and having a third consecutive 7-0 WIAC record, the UW–Whitewater Warhawks entered the NCAA Division III playoffs for the third consecutive time. The Warhawks won four home playoff games, including a Dec. 8 repeat home victory over Mary Hardin-Baylor 16-7 in the semi-finals, to earn their third straight trip to the NCAA Division III Championship Game - The Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, in Salem, VA and set up their third championship game against Mount Union College. On Dec. 15, 2007 the Warhawks beat Mount Union 31-21 to win the Division III title and close the 2007 season 14-1.Warhawk running back Justin Beaver
, won the John Gagliardi Trophy, for his performance both on and off the field.
The Warhawks entered the 2008 playoffs with one loss after a last-second loss to UW-Stevens Point that ended UW-Whitewater's WIAC win streak at 27 games.. Despite having to travel for some of their playoff contests, the Warhawks won four playoff games, earning a spot in the Stagg Bowl after a victory over Mary Hardin-Baylor 39-13. On Dec. 20, 2008 the Warhawks lost to Mount Union 31-26 in their fourth consecutive Stagg Bowl matchup.
The Warhawks ran the table in 2009 with a perfect record of 15-0, defeating Mount Union in the Stagg Bowl 38-28 to claim their second national title in three years. The string continued in 2010, including a sixth straight WIAC title, and ending with UW-Whitewater’s third NCAA III championship in four years, with a 31-21 win over Mount Union in the Stagg Bowl to finish 15-0 and run the NCAA (all divisions) leading win streak to 30 games.
Football
The Warhawks compete in the WIAC conference of NCAA Division III football. In the 2005 and 2006 seasons, they finished the year undefeated in regular season play, losing only in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowls of 2005 and 2006 to Mount Union CollegeMount Union College
The University of Mount Union is a 4-year private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Alliance, Ohio.Mount Union enrolls 2200 undergraduates. Approximately 50 percent are women and 50 percent are men, representing more than 22 states and 13 countries. Mount Union has an active alumni base of...
, under former coach and UW-Whitewater alum Bob Berezowitz (UW-Whitewater 1967), who had quarterbacked the UW-Whitewater team as the runner-up in the 1966 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics playoffs. Following the 2006 season, Berezowitz retired, and alum and former assistant Lance Leipold
Lance Leipold
-External links:*...
(UW-Whitewater 1987) was named Warhawk head coach. The Warhawks opened the 2007 with a victory, then suffered their first regular-season defeat since 2004, 26-16 to NCAA Division II's St. Cloud State. The Warhawks followed this up, by going undefeated through the remainder of the season, including a come-from behind victory over then-No. 6 UW–La Crosse, and dominating then-No. 2 Mary Hardin-Baylor. After finishing the regular season with a 9-1 record, and having a third consecutive 7-0 WIAC record, the UW–Whitewater Warhawks entered the NCAA Division III playoffs for the third consecutive time. The Warhawks won four home playoff games, including a Dec. 8 repeat home victory over Mary Hardin-Baylor 16-7 in the semi-finals, to earn their third straight trip to the NCAA Division III Championship Game - The Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, in Salem, VA and set up their third championship game against Mount Union College. On Dec. 15, 2007 the Warhawks beat Mount Union 31-21 to win the Division III title and close the 2007 season 14-1.Warhawk running back Justin Beaver
Justin Beaver
Justin Beaver is an American football running back, having played college football at UW–Whitewater.-College:Justin Beaver was named the outstanding player in Division III football in 2007. As the running back for the UW–Whitewater Warhawks he set conference rushing records for the Warhawks and...
, won the John Gagliardi Trophy, for his performance both on and off the field.
The Warhawks entered the 2008 playoffs with one loss after a last-second loss to UW-Stevens Point that ended UW-Whitewater's WIAC win streak at 27 games.. Despite having to travel for some of their playoff contests, the Warhawks won four playoff games, earning a spot in the Stagg Bowl after a victory over Mary Hardin-Baylor 39-13. On Dec. 20, 2008 the Warhawks lost to Mount Union 31-26 in their fourth consecutive Stagg Bowl matchup.
The Warhawks ran the table in 2009 with a perfect record of 15-0, defeating Mount Union in the Stagg Bowl 38-28 to claim their second national title in three years. The string continued in 2010, including a sixth straight WIAC title, and ending with UW-Whitewater’s third NCAA III championship in four years, with a 31-21 win over Mount Union in the Stagg Bowl to finish 15-0 and run the NCAA (all divisions) leading win streak to 30 games.
National championships
- Women's volleyball (2005, 2002)
- Baseball (2005)
- Men's basketball (1989, 1984)
- Women's golf (1985)
- Football (2007, 2009, 2010*)
Notable athletes
- Brady Endl, pitcher drafted by the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
- Greg Reinhard, pitcher for the Iowa CubsIowa CubsThe Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.-Franchise history:...
- Kevin Tomasiewicz, pitcher for the Binghamton MetsBinghamton MetsThe Binghamton Mets are a U.S. minor league baseball team based in Binghamton, New York. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club...
- Jeff JagodzinskiJeff Jagodzinski-United Football League:-External links:*...
, former head football coach for Boston CollegeBoston CollegeBoston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early... - Matt TurkMatt TurkMatthew Edward Turk is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1993...
, punter for the Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Bob WickmanBob WickmanRobert Joe Wickman is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Wickman played for the New York Yankees , Milwaukee Brewers , Cleveland Indians , Atlanta Braves , and Arizona Diamondbacks . He batted and threw right-handed...
, Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
relief pitcher - Derek StanleyDerek StanleyDerek Stanley is an gridiron football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
, former wide receiver for the St. Louis RamsSt. Louis RamsThe St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,... - Eric StudesvilleEric StudesvilleEric Studesville is an American football coach. In December 2010, Studesville became the interim head coach of the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He replaced Josh McDaniels after 12 games in the 2010 NFL Season...
, interim head coach Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Pete SchmittPete SchmittPete Schmitt is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
, fullback and tight end for the Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... - Justin BeaverJustin BeaverJustin Beaver is an American football running back, having played college football at UW–Whitewater.-College:Justin Beaver was named the outstanding player in Division III football in 2007. As the running back for the UW–Whitewater Warhawks he set conference rushing records for the Warhawks and...
, winner of the Gagliardi TrophyGagliardi TrophyThe Gagliardi Trophy was first presented in 1993 to the Outstanding Division III college football player of the year by the Jostens Company and the J-Club of Saint John's University in Minnesota...
(2007)