The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater formally dedicated its student athletic complex the Bob Berezowitz Student Athletic Complex in ceremonies September 22 on the UW-W campus. Berezowitz served as the Warhawks' head football coach for twenty-two years, 1985-2006. Photos from the ceremony are available for viewing and purchase in the link provided.
Photo gallery (available for purchase)
Animoto video
The day kicked off with a complimentary tailgate party at the Coulthart Family Pavilion at 10:30. The dedication ceremony followed at 12:00, and the UW-W football team defeated Stevens Point 34-7 on Bob Berezowitz Day. Berezowitz was honored at halftime of the game.
Berezowitz conceived the idea of the SAC, and was instrumental in planning the facility and raising funds for its construction. The building opened in the fall of 2003. The student athletic complex is located on the south end of Perkins Stadium. The building houses coaches' offices, rooms for meetings and classes, reception area, and a computer lab.
"Bob singlehandedly built the student athletic complex," UW-W director of athletics Paul Plinske said when the building opened. "He also played a key role in maintaining Perkins Stadium and helped lay the groundwork for other outdoor facility upgrades. His expertise in these areas and his passion for seeing those programs flourish was a real positive."
In his twenty-two years Berezowitz compiled a 158-73-4 record. He directed the Warhawks to eight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles (1987, 1988, 1990,, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2006) and five NCAA III playoff berths (1988, 1990, 1994, 2005, 2006). He was named Division III Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association, Football Gazette, and American Football Monthly for the 2005 season. He earned WIAC Football Coach of the Year honors seven times. He had accumulated the second highest victory total and second best winning percentage in WIAC football history when he retired. He mentored thirty-eight players to a total of seventy-three All-America honors. Berezowitz has been enshrined in the UW-Whitewater Athletics Hall of Fame, the NAIA District 14 Hall of Fame, and the Wisconsin Football Coaches Hall of Fame.
Berezowitz has the unique distinction of playing on, and coaching, two championship teams at UW-Whitewater. He was the catcher on the 1965 Warhawk baseball team that played in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics World Series and the All-American quarterback of the 1966 NAIA football runner-up. He then served as
Jim Miller's assistant when the Warhawk baseball team went to the 1990 NCAA III World Series, and he directed the 2006 football team to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the NCAA III championship game.
Berezowitz joined the UW-Whitewater staff as Forrest Perkins' offensive coordinator in time for the 1981 season. In addition to assisting with the baseball team he also taught in the health, physical education, recreation and coaching department.
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