Titans Mourn Loss Of Former Athletic Trainer

Jerry Nauert, who spent 22 years as UW-Oshkosh’s head athletic trainer, passed away on July 2 in Appleton at the age of 76.

Nauert came to UW-Oshkosh in 1968 as head athletic trainer and part-time instructor in the school’s Health, Physical & Recreation Department. Nauert held both positions until 1990 when he resigned from his athletic training position to become a full-time instructor.

Nauert retired from his teaching position at UW-Oshkosh in 2001. He was co-founder of the Wisconsin Athletic Trainers Association (WATA), and served as the organization's first president in 1975. Nauert was inducted into the WATA Hall of Fame in 1997.

In 1970, Nauert served as an assistant baseball coach at UW-Oshkosh while head coach Russ Tiedemann was working on his doctorate degree at the University of Utah. He helped interim head coach Tom Carlson guide the Titans to a 26-8 record and the WIAC championship that season.

“Everyone in the UW-Oshkosh Athletics Department was saddened to hear the news of Jerry’s passing,” said UW-Oshkosh Director of Athletics Darryl Sims. “He absolutely loved UW-Oshkosh, which was demonstrated in his loyalty for all those years to the students he taught and the student-athletes he medically cared for.”

Nauert attended St. Louis (Mo.) Beaumont High School and helped the Bluejackets to one state and four city baseball titles. He also was a member of the 1956 St. Louis American Legion baseball team that won the national championship.

Nauert attended the University of Missouri on a baseball scholarship. His collegiate career for the Tigers was short-lived as he signed a professional baseball contract with the Chicago Cubs following his freshman season.

After two years as a minor league catcher, Nauert returned to the University of Missouri, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1961 and a master’s degree in 1967.

Nauert served as an assistant athletic trainer at the University of Missouri form 1965 to 1968 before accepting his position at UW-Oshkosh. He previously taught and coached at Collins High School in Collins, Mo., and worked in the University of Missouri’s Physical Therapy Department.

Nauert was known as a quiet, kind and caring father, husband and friend. He gave generously of himself to his family, his church and the students he taught and mentored. Nauert’s life focused around sports and he exemplified Christ's values in all he did.

In 2013, Nauert was named the UW-Oshkosh football team’s honorary captain for its game against Alma College (Mich.).

Nauert was the son of the late Robert and Edna Nauert. He is survived by his wife, Sue, with whom he celebrated 49 years of marriage; his children, Todd (Jennifer) Nauert and Christine (Christopher) Baety, his sister, Lois Nauert, and his granddaughter, Chloe Nauert.

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 11 at Valley Funeral Home (2211 N. Richmond Street • Appleton, 54911) beginning at 10 a.m. until time for the service at 12 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the Nauert family will forward donations to two orphanages in South America.