Posted 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023
Alumni track & field weekend set for Jan. 13
Familiar faces will be returning to campus to take part in an annual tradition.
UWL track and field alumni will be invited to take part in a weekend of activities Saturday, Jan. 13, including an alumni panel, track competitions at the Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex and social events.
Tickets will be required for the spaghetti dinner at Cleary Alumni & Friends Center following the daytime events. Participants are encouraged to register online for the dinner by Jan. 4.
The NCAA Championship Ring Ceremony will also be included in the weekend’s celebrations. The ceremony will celebrate the successes of the 2023 men’s track and field team which won the indoor NCAA Division III championship, and the 2023 women’s track and field team, which won both the indoor and outdoor NCAA Division III championships.
“The alumni have a hand in helping our team be successful through their contributions,” says Nickolas Davis, women’s track and field coach. “They also set the standard of success for our team. To be able to share this celebration with them feels like the best ‘thank you’ we could give them as a team.”
The interaction between alumni and current student-athletes has been overwhelmingly positive, year after year.
“It’s noticeable how many of our freshman athletes walk away from alumni weekend realizing they’re now part of a unique and strong group,” Davis says. “Wearing the ‘Eagle L’ and competing for this team creates a special bond that very few people have or experience.”
Relationships made at the event extend beyond the weekend.
“It’s not uncommon for alumni and those that will graduate at the end of the year to connect to discuss potential jobs or internships following graduation,” says Josh Buchholtz, men’s track and field coach.
One of the weekend events, the alumni panel, allows alumni to speak with the current team and discuss what being part of the program has meant to them in their personal and professional lives.
“We get a pretty good turnout of alumni competing each year,” Buchholtz says. “I always look forward to the alumni sharing stories, lessons and experiences with the current team. It’s important for our current student-athletes to understand the tradition of this program and connect with those that laid the foundation of what we are today.”
The main event of the weekend is the competitive meet between men’s and women’s track and field versus the alumni.
“We have our Alumni Meet on Saturday, Jan. 13,” Davis says. “At the meet, we will have our current team compete against some of our brave alumni, who will risk life and limb to have one more chance at glory.”
As part of the alumni meet festivities, there are events that children of alumni can compete in, too, making it an event for the whole family.
“At the completion of the meet, the UWL women's team and alumni will join together for some introductions, some words of wisdom and typically a wonderful speech by our hall of fame former Head Coach, Pat Healy!” Davis says.
Alumni and students will connect over dinner at the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center, followed by an evening social at the Eagle’s Nest, which will be the final event of the weekend.
The Men’s Track & Field versus Alumni Meet and Women’s Track and Field versus Alumni Meet will be at noon on Saturday, Jan. 13, in the Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex.
“It’s a special event with exceptional people, and I cannot wait for it each year,” Davis says.
More information can be found online at https://www.uwlax.edu/foundation/connect/events/2023-track-and-field-reunion/