Warhawk Football season is just around the corner as UW-Whitewater kicks of the 2026 campaign Saturday, September 5 against Carleton in Perkins Stadium.
Fans are encouraged to read through
updates and new features to the gameday process before heading to Perkins Stadium. Your one-stop-shop for everything you need to know on gameday can be found on our
Gameday Central page including links to purchase parking and tickets, as well as the bag and carry-in policies.
Preview
Last season, the Warhawks battled through the fifth-toughest schedule in Division III to an 8-3 record. UWW earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Division III Championship falling in the second round of the playoffs. The 2026 slate will be another battle in the toughest conference in Division III -- six WIAC institutions are ranked or receiving votes in the national polls. The Warhawks come in at #12 according to both D3football.com and the American Football Coaches Association.
The 2026 Warhawks return a wealth of experience to the field and sidelines. Head Coach
Jace Rindahl begins his fourth year at the helm of the Warhawks this season.
Caden Murphy returns as the team's offensive coordinator along with numerous starters from a year ago including quarterback
Justin Klinkner (Two Rivers, Wis./Two Rivers), running back
Brian Stanton (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South), fullback
Charlie Koeppen (Palos Heights, Ill./Andrean), wide receiver
Tyler Vasey (Crystal Lake, Ill/Prairie Ridge), tight end Colin Fritts and nearly the entire offensive line (
Mason McNeill (Bristol, Wis./Westosha Central),
Aaron Johnson (Oak Park, Ill./Fenwick),
Colin Krzeczkowski (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) and
Troy Dietzler (Ashwaubenon, Wis./Ashwaubenon)).
Ryan Cortez will head the defense once again with a pair of starters coming back on the line (
Noah Moris (Union Grove, Wis./Union Grove),
Ben Bielawski (Woodridge, Ill./Downers Grove North)), a host of returning linebackers including
Karsten Libby (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) and
Jayden Fowler (Morton Grove, Ill./Niles Township West), as well as a seasoned secondary that includes
Efrein Ramirez (Minooka, Ill./Minooka),
Deven Magli (Deforest, Wis./Deforest) and
Carter Sessa (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) - all starters a season ago.
In special teams,
Hunter Liszka (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) and
Dylan Tackett (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) will take over the kicking duties. Vasey, the most prolific return man in program history is also back for his senio season.
The best outlook for the 2026 campaign comes directly from the players and Coach Rindahl as we heard during our media day press conferences:
New Looks, Same Tradition
During the off-season, Perkins Stadium and the Warhawks received a few upgrades including a new state-of-the-art Daktronics videoboard above the traditional digital scoreboard. Banners and signage near the field on the home side have also been updated. Fans will also see a new canopy providing cover in the Champions Club.
The Warhawks also have a new look this season with the additional matte black helmets that feature a purple face mask and purple and white stripe down the middle. The Warhawk logo dons each side of the helmet with "Hawks" visible on the front and "Pound the Rock" visible on lower back of the helmet.
The new features look to improve one of the greatest fan experiences in Division III. UW-Whitewater welcomed nearly 51,700 fans to Perkins Stadium a year ago - leading the division. UWW currently holds the attendance record for a Division III game played on a college campus.
Keep an eye for a full gameday preview of the Warhawks' season-opener to be released next week.
