Bio

Not many people can say that they built an athletic program, but Richard Toby Bares can say he built the UW-Oshkosh men’s soccer program from scratch and turned it into a national powerhouse.

In 1984, Bares became the first head coach of the Titans. He then stayed for 26 years – the last 25 all featuring a winning record. His .755 winning percentage ranks ninth all-time in the NCAA Division III, while his 344 wins are the most in WIAC history. Over a span of 17 years, UW-Oshkosh made 11 postseason visits and reached the NCAA Division III Final Four three times.

Bares was named National Coach of the Year in 1994 as the Titans tallied an undefeated record of 18-0-3. UW-Oshkosh captured its first 14 matches of the year and finished with a scoring margin of 68 goals to 14. That run came to an end with a double-overtime tie to Bethany College (W.V.) in the NCAA Division III semifinal.

UW-Oshkosh made two other Final Four appearances under Bares, as he earned NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2003. The 2000 squad put together wins in 17 consecutive matches on its way to a 20-2 overall mark. During 2003, the Titans’ lone defeat came in their 22nd and final contest of the season. UW-Oshkosh recorded three postseason shutouts on its home field to reach the national semifinal.

There were four other seasons in which the Titans lost two matches or less. Bares led UW-Oshkosh to a 15-1-2 mark in 1988, 11-2-4 in 1990, 14-2-3 in 1991 and 17-2-1 in 1999. The 1999 version reached the third round of the NCAA Tournament – one of six teams to achieve a Sweet Sixteen berth under Bares.

With all the team success came individual accolades. Bares coached five NSCAA All-Americans, including 2000 National Player of the Year Scott Deopere. The Titans also had 33 players obtain a total of 50 NCAA Division III All-Region awards. Roberto Gutierrez (1993-95), Brad Haga (2001-03) and Will Howell (2007-09) each earned the distinction three times. Bares’ squads were consistently recognized with the NSCAA’s Team Academic Award, while seven Titans were named Academic All-Americans.

Bares served as president of the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association from 1991-92. The Merrill High School graduate has received 10 coaching awards from the WSCA, and he was inducted into its Hall of Fame this year. Bares is currently the assistant director of operations at UW-Oshkosh’s Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree from UW-Stevens Point in 1976, Bares earned his master’s at Bowling Green State University (Ohio) in 1977. He and his wife, JoAnn, are the parents of daughters, Ellie and Katie, and son, Ricky.