Posted 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025
Chase Hendricks wins Eagle Fest Wings of the Year art contest
At UWL, creativity isn’t confined to the arts programs. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to explore their artistic side.
A prime example is Chase Hendricks, a senior majoring in sport management with a minor in business administration, who won this year’s Wings of the Year art contest for UWL’s annual Eagle Fest celebration, set for Friday, Sept. 5.
“Art has always played a big role in my life,” Hendricks says. “I’ve loved being creative for as long as I can remember — drawing, painting and making things whenever I had the chance.”
While his interests shifted toward sports in middle school, Hendricks found a way to merge the two through sports design, eventually leading him to develop professional-level graphics.
“Last year, while interning with a local baseball team, I decided to invest in the Adobe Creative Suite and take my designs more seriously,” Hendricks explains. “That was a turning point.”
His recent design work includes an alternate game-day identity for the Green Bay Rockers, a complete visual brand for the Wheels for All wheelchair basketball tournament, and now, the Wings of the Year piece.
"Chase’s design stood out to the Eagle Fest committee because it blends a compelling reference to the bluffs with a clean, vibrant aesthetic that perfectly represents our campus and community,” says Kyle Burke, director of University Centers and student engagement.
Hendricks’ design will be the centerpiece of this fall’s festivities, being featured on the Student Union window (north side), digital signs, posters and T-shirts available for purchase during Eagle Fest.
“The final wings design you see was actually the fourth version I created,” Hendricks says. “After trial and error, I eventually landed on the current version: an abstract scene of a sunrise over the bluffs and Mississippi River.”
Using Adobe Illustrator, Hendricks brought the beauty of the La Crosse region to life.
“One of the most common compliments I hear about UWL and La Crosse is how beautiful and vibrant the surroundings are, so I wanted to capture that,” he explains.
Beyond the design, Hendricks is deeply involved on campus as the social media coordinator for the Sport Management Association. He is also an avid participant in intramural sports. When asked what he loves most about UWL, he does not hesitate.
“It’s the strong sense of community,” Hendricks says. “That’s also what I love about Eagle Fest. It brings the whole campus together and showcases everything UWL has to offer.”
Keep an eye out for Hendricks’ artwork at Eagle Fest on Sept. 5!