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Interim Head Coach - Don Fritsch
Don Fritsch was named UW-La Crosse's interim head men’s track &
field coach in August, 2007. Fritsch also serves as the Eagles’ head men’s
cross country coach.
“As a long-time alumnus of the program and a 16-year veteran as a volunteer coach in the track program I wanted to see the smoothest possible transition for the veterans as well as the new incoming freshmen,” said Fritsch. “Our goal will be to prepare and coach a highly competitive team once again this year, but I want to do more than tread water for one year. I want to turn over a program and team to the future coach that is highly motivated, confident and very positive about the future of the program. The past success of this program has always hinged on the incredible attitudes and great work ethics of our student-athletes, and that will not change.”
Fritsch completed his 10th year at the helm of the UW-L men’s cross country team in 2007. After taking over in 1998, Fritsch has led the Eagles to two National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Championships and seven Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) titles. UW-L captured its third national title in school history in 2005 and second under Fritsch, also winning in 2001. The Eagles won their first national championship in 1996. Fritsch was named the 2001 and 2005 NCAA Division III Cross Country Coach of the Year.
He has led the Eagles to WIAC Championships in 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Fritsch led UW-L to its first conference championship since the 1994 season with the team title in 1998. For his efforts, Fritsch has earned WIAC Coach of the Year honors in all seven seasons the Eagles have captured the conference crown.
Fritsch was inducted into the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in January, 2004.
He has guided UW-L to top-seven national finishes in nine of 10 years as head coach, including fifth in 2007. Fritsch assisted head cross country coach Phil Esten and the UW-L track and field program for six years before being elevated to the head cross country position. A former UW-L cross country and track and field athlete, Fritsch graduated in 1980 and later returned to receive a master’s degree in physical education-human performance in 1993. He ran to All-WIAC and NAIA All-District 14 honors during his career at UW-L
Before coming back to coach at UW-L, he served as head coach of the boy’s and girl’s cross country programs at Stevens Point Pacelli High School from 1981-90, where he earned Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association Coach of the Year honors four times. He also guided the boy’s and girl’s track and field programs at the school from 1985-91. Fritsch coached the boy’s and girl’s programs to a combined 15 WISAA Division II cross country team championships. He also guided the girl’s track and field team to two state titles. During his tenure at Pacelli, Fritsch guided the development of 15 individual state champions.
In addition to his coaching duties, Fritsch has been a member of the UW-L academic staff in the health and physical education department and in the education department at Viterbo University. He currently teaches health and physical education at Longfellow Middle School in La Crosse, a position he has held since 1994.
Philip Whitesitt - Associate Head Coach – Throws
Philip Whitesitt is entering his first year as a member of the Eagles’ coaching staff. His responsibilities include coaching the throwing events and assisting with administrative duties. Whitesitt was a member of the UW-L track and field program during the 2001-2004 seasons when the team won eight straight national championships. He was a four-time NCAA III All-American in the 35-pound weight throw and the hammer.
Whitesitt coached the throwing events at La Crescent High School from 2005-2007. He completed his undergraduate work in 2005 from UW-L in physical education and is currently completing his master’s program in human performance at UW-L.
Aaron Carley – Assistant Coach
Aaron Carley is entering his first year as a member of the Eagles’ coaching staff. His responsibilities include coaching the horizontal jumps and short sprints. Carley graduated with a degree in physical education from UW-Stevens Point in 2005. He was a member of the Pointer track and field team for four years and was the WIAC champion in the long jump in 2003 and was an NCAA III All-American in the triple jump in 2001. He is currently a graduate assistant in the sport administration graduate program at UW-La Crosse.
Carley coached two seasons at Wisconsin Dells High School where he worked with the boys and girls sprints and hurdles. While at the Dells, four school records were established; girls 100 meter hurdles, boy’s 100 meter dash, girls 4x400 relay, and girls long jump. These school record holders also competed well at the Wisconsin State track and field meet.
Phil Esten – Volunteer Assistant Coach
Phil Esten is in his third year as a volunteer assistant coach. He served as head coach of the UW-L men’s cross country program for 28 years, retiring after the 1998 season. Esten guided the Eagles to a national championship competition in 27 of those seasons. He led UW-L to a NCAA III title in 1996 and posted 26 consecutive top-10 finishes at nationals. In addition to the national title, UW-L finished as the national runner-up eight times under Esten. UW-L won 20 WIAC titles during his tenure and never finished lower than third in the league. Esten coached 28 runners to 46 All-American honors. A 1965 graduate of UW-L, Esten was inducted into the UW-L and NAIA District Hall of Fames in 1990, and the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches’ Association Hall in 1993.
He was named the 1996 Division III Co-Coach of the Year. He earned his master’s degree and Ed.D. from the University of Northern Colorado.
Doug Geiwitz – Assistant Coach
Doug Geiwitz is in his 11th year as a member of the Eagles’ coaching staff. He coaches the pole vault. Geiwitz is credited with coaching three National Champions which include; Matt Novak, Nick Pergande, and Hans Schmidt who was a five-time national pole vault champion (three outdoor; two indoor) and a six-time NCAA III All-American. Geiwitz has coached 21 other All-Americans at UW-L. Geiwitz, a 1991 graduate of UW-L, was a two-time All-American in the pole vault for the Eagles. He was the 1990 outdoor national champion and was third at the 1990 indoor meet.
He is in his sixth year of teaching at Sparta High Point School. Prior to teaching at High Point, Geiwitz taught for five years at Beloit Memorial High School and Sparta High School.
Joel Smith – Assistant Coach
Joel Smith is in his second year as a member of the Eagles’ coaching staff. He is responsible for coaching the high jump. Prior to coaching at UW-L, Smith attended Cedarville University and was the AMC Conference champion in the high jump (2005), school record holder, and three-time NAIA All-American in the high jump (2005, 2006). Smith is currently completing his master’s degree at UW-L.
Nate Olson – Assistant Coach
Nate Olson is entering his first year a member of the Eagle’s coaching staff. He is responsible for coaching the long sprints and relays. Olson is completing his student teaching and will graduate from UW-L in December, 2007. While a member of the Eagles’ track and field team, Olson was a 16-time NCAA III All-American. He was a two-time national champion in the indoor 400 meters and three-time runner-up in the outdoor 400 meters. In 2006, Olson was the indoor track and field championships athlete of the meet and was and ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American. In his free time, Olson enjoys being outdoors fishing and camping.
Jeremy Deterville – Assistant Coach
Jeremy Deterville is in his first year as a member of the Eagles’ coaching staff. His responsibilities include coaching the long sprints and relays. He is currently completing his undergraduate degree at UW-L.Prior to joining the coaching staff, Deterville was a member of the UW-L track team (2003-2007). He was a ten-time NCAA III All-American, seven-time national champion, and a member of the national record holding 4x400 meter relay team.
Andrew Buchberger – Assistant Coach
Andrew Buchberger is in his first year as a member of the Eagles’ coaching staff. His responsibilities include coaching the short sprints and relays. He is a 2006 graduate of UW-L and currently completing his master’s degree in business. During his time as a student-athlete with the UW-L track and field team, he was an All-American, member of the Conference record holding 4x200 meter relay, and a member of the 2002-2005 Eagle National Championship teams.
Marcus Walgrave – Assistant Coach
Marcus Walgrave is in his first year as a member of the Eagles’ coaching staff. He is coaching the sprints and hurdles. Walgrave was a member of the UW-L track and field program from 2004-3007. He was a two-time national champion (110 HH, 4x100 relay) and two-time runner-up (100 m, 55 HH). He was also an 8-time NCAA III All-American and a five-time team national champion. Walgrave is currently completing his undergraduate degree at UW-L in business marketing.
