Athletics Hall of Fame
Valerie (Kerkman) Auseth played on the Warhawks' softball team from 1996-1999. A four-year letterwinner and first team National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American, Auseth was named the WIAC East Division Player of the Year twice (1998 and 1999) and earned all-conference recognition three seasons (1997, 1998 and 1999). She garnered first team All-Great Lakes Region in 1996 and 1999, third team honors in 1998 and was named to the All-Region Tournament Team in 1999. Auseth helped the team to two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles (1996 and 1999), two league tournament titles (1996 and 1999) and three NCAA tournament berths. Combined with Granger on the mound, Auseth helped the team to a 41-7 record in 1999, a win mark that has yet to be surpassed in UW-Whitewater softball history. By the time she graduated in 1999, Auseth had re-written the Warhawks' season and career record books. She topped the season list in at bats (153 in 1999), hits (69 in 1999), doubles (15 in 1999) and RBI (48 in 1999). Auseth also had the top marks in the career records in at-bats (536), hits (218), runs (157), runs batted in (125) and career batting average (.407). All of these records are still top 10 marks in the record book today. A team captain in 1999, she was also named the team's Most Valuable Player after earning Top Offensive Player honors in 1998 and the Rookie of the Year Award in 1996. Auseth went on to earn a degree in physical education (K-12) and health education. She is currently a wellness education teacher and department chair at Burlington High School.
