Six inducted into Wall of Fame

Former track coach Mark Guthrie among those inducted

A long-time successful coach and five former student-athletes were inducted into UW-L's Wall of Fame Sept. 13 in Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition.

Former Men’s Track and Field Coach Mark Guthrie, the most successful track coach in NCAA III history, joined alumni who were honored. Those alums include: Ray Lorenz Bright, ’64; Tony Christnovich, ’73 & ’81; Kathy Ermler, ’73; Barbara Jacobs, ’71; and Chuck Wimmler, ’57.

The Wall of Fame pays tribute to former athletes and coaches for their exceptional ability and enhancement of school tradition.

Ray Lorenz Bright

Ray Lorenz Bright, Athlete: 1959-64 Ray Lorenz lept to success in gymnastics from the late ’50s and into the early ’60s. He earned letters four times and was co-captain his senior year. In the mid-’60s, Lorenz ranked among the top 10 in average points per meet achieved individually.

He attributes his coach, Ernie Gershon, as being instrumental in his eventual teaching and coaching career. Despite getting kicked out of college his freshman year, Lorenz returned to make the Dean’s List the rest of his academic year and graduated second in his class.

In the ’70s, he changed his name to his given name, Ray Bright. He taught at California State University Chico from 1968-2004, retiring as professor emeritus. Bright lives in Naples, Fla.

Tony Christnovich

Tony Christnovich, Athlete: 1966-71 Tony Christnovich played football during college and returned less than two decades later to coach with his former gridiron coach, Roger Harring.

The Oak Creek, Wis., native arrived on campus with only one year of football experience. But he excelled on Memorial Field as an offensive tackle, lettering all four years. Christnovich’s play caught attention and he was drafted in the 12th round by the Washington Redskins in 1970.

Christnovich, who taught at La Crosse Central High School, returned to campus in the late ’80s to coach the defensive line under Harring for 16 years. During that tenure, the team earned 11 conference titles and two national championships (1992 and 1995).

Christnovich earned a bachelor’s in physical education and biology in 1973 and a master’s in education in 1981.

He and his wife, Nancy, live in Onalaska. They have three children.

Kathy L. Ermler

Kathy L. Ermler, Athlete: 1969-73 Kathy Ermler loved every aspect of participating and competing while attending college — even though it was when women could only compete in club sports.

When Ermler came to campus in 1969 and wanted to join the field hockey team, she was told she would have to wait until she was a sophomore. But, she practiced and played hard to earn a spot on the squad her freshman year.

Along with competing in field hockey all four years, Ermler took part in javelin on the track and field team from 1970-72, and in fencing from 1971-72. She graduated in 1973 with majors in physical education and health education.

Ermler lives in Emporia, Kans., where she is a professor and chair of the health, physical education and recreation department at Emporia State University.

Mark Guthrie

Mark Guthrie, Coach: 1987-2006 Coach Mark Guthrie left a significant impact on UW-La Crosse’s men’s track and field program. In fact, he left a case full of trophies. In his 19 years at the helm, Guthrie became the most successful track coach in NCAA III history. His teams ran to 34 conference titles, 12 indoor national championships and 10 outdoor national titles.

He also coached the university’s first Olympic gold medalist — Andrew Rock, who won a gold in the 4 x 400 meter relay in 2004.

After earning a bachelor’s degree at Wartburg College in 1975, Guthrie taught and coached at Fennimore (Wis.) and Naperville (Ill.) high schools before coming to UW-L in 1987 after earning a master’s at Chicago (Ill.) State University. Guthrie left La Crosse in 2006 to become an assistant track coach at UW-Madison.

He and his wife Dawn Krutza-Guthrie live in Fitchburg. They have two daughters.

Barbara Jacobs

Barbara Jacobs, Athlete: 1967-71 Seven sports kept Barbara Jacobs busy when she went to college from 1967 through 1971. Jacobs took part in basketball, field hockey, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

While there were no letters awarded or championships given for women’s sports, Jacobs takes pride in helping pave the way for intercollegiate women’s athletics later in the ’70s. She participated in the first women’s basketball team that played with five members, instead of six.

In 2009 as assistant commissioner of the Big East Conference, Jacobs works closely coordinating women’s basketball conference games and scheduling officiating.

The 1971 graduate majored in physical education and minored in English. She lives in Providence, R.I.

Charles “Chuck” Wimmler

Charles "Chuck" Wimmler, Athlete: 1953-57 Chuck Wimmler had collegiate success in gymnastics on campus from 1953-57. He was co-captain of the squad his junior and senior years. Wimmler placed in the top three all-around and was Northwest Gymnastics Meet Champion in 1957.

He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps following graduation in 1957. Over the next 27 years, he flew 5,600 hours in 23 different military aircraft.

After retiring in 1983, he took education refresher courses and began teaching at Jacksonville (N.C.) Senior High School. After teaching for a decade he retired and has remained active in numerous volunteer organizations. He lives in Jacksonville, N.C., with his wife, Julia.

For previous recipients, visit Athletic Wall of Fame at www.uwlax.edu/athletics/traditions/wallfame/.