Related Links:Oregon State Release Eric Schueffner, an assistant coach for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater track and field and cross country programs for the last four years, has accepted the position of assistant coach for sprints, hurdles, relays and jumps at Oregon State University, a member of NCAA Division I and the Pacific-12 Conference.
"I want to give a big thank you to Eric for everything he has done to make our program better," head coach
Mike Johnson said. "While I'm sad about his departure, I know OSU is gaining a great coach. We have a very close family culture here and it's always tough losing good coaches, but even tougher losing a good friend.
"We wish Eric, his wife, Kerrie, and his daughters, Lilly and Cora, all the best as they enter a new and exciting chapter in their lives."
A 1996 graduate of UW-Whitewater, Schueffner was promoted to associate head coach following the 2015 season. He was named United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association NCAA Division III Men's Outdoor Assistant Coach of the Year after helping freshman
Robert Starnes (Green Bay, Wis./Preble) to the national championship in the high jump.
Schueffner, who coached mid-distance, combined events and jumps in 2014-15, guided student-athletes to 43 NCAA Division III qualifying marks, 26 All-America accolades, 10 school records and three national titles during his four-year tenure as an assistant.
Schueffner offered his heartfelt thoughts to student-athletes, coaches, administrators, alumni, friends and other supporters at a sendoff Monday.
Amanda Brom (Jefferson, Wis./Jefferson) '15 worked with Schueffner for four years as a middle distance runner.
"'Schueff' is a coach who would accept me whether I had a bad or good day," Brom said. "His belief in me was always the same. He believed in you even when the road was dark. He always showed me where other people were coming from. He talked me through my mental problems. He helped me believe that I could run fast if I wanted to."
Cory Zaeske (East Troy/East Troy) '14 competed in the high jump and long jump during Schueffner's first two seasons coaching jumps.
"He brought a video camera to every practice and singled out small things each practice, and it was all done in a sequence," Zaeske said. "I saw extraordinary results in the high jump. He said he didn't know anything about high jump coming in, but he was the best high jump coach I had.
"From a character standpoint, he taught me how to be a better man and person. He treated us as if we were family."
During his career as a member of the Warhawk men's track and field team from 1993-96, Schueffner earned two All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors in the 600-meter run and was selected the WIAC's Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete during the 1996 outdoor season.
Schueffner's first day at Oregon State is Wednesday, Dec. 2.
