Athletics Hall of Fame
Dr. Paul Plinske served as Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at UW-Whitewater from 2004-13. During his tenure, the Warhawks claimed nine national championships and finished among the top 15 in the Learfield Directors' Cup standings in six straight years, including fourth place in 2012-13. UW-Whitewater also won the WIAC All-Sports Award four times in his last six years, and in 2012-13, became the first school in league history to sweep the combined, men's and women's All-Sports Awards. Plinske also championed the Warhawks' work in the classroom and the community, as UW-W teams earned the WIAC All-Academic Award for nine straight years and were highly involved in numerous community service projects in the Whitewater area and the state, including Make A Difference Day, Reading With The Warhawks and the Special Olympics. Plinske raised more than $12 million for facility upgrades, which included renovations to Fiskum Field and Foster Track, installation of FieldTurf, new video board and lighting at Perkins Stadium, synthetic turf and lighting at Miller Stadium, improvements to van Steenderen Softball Complex and new video board installation in Kachel Gymnasium. His fundraising efforts also increased the department's operating funds and opportunities for women through additional staff positions. Plinske served a three-year term as Chair of the NCAA Gymnastics Committee and was Chairman of the Board of Directors for the United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties during his UW-W career.
