Bio

Mark Pawlyshyn had already become the first UW-Oshkosh men’s soccer player to earn two all-region distinctions. He held the school record for assists. But on a frozen field during a 20-degree day in November 1991, Pawlyshyn became a Titan legend.

After knocking on the door the previous three years, it was UW-Oshkosh’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship, and the Titans were playing outside Kolf Sports Center. During the contest’s 14th minute, Pawlyshyn headed in the school’s first postseason goal to take a 1-0 lead. UW-Oshkosh went on to win the match, 2-1, over the University of St. Thomas (Minn.). One week later, the Titans traveled to sunny California and played to a 4-4 tie before being eliminated on penalty kicks by host University of California, San Diego.

That 1991 campaign was Pawlyshyn’s best, as he racked up nine goals and 15 assists for a total of 33 points. He received NCAA Division III All-Mideast Region second team status, along with the All-WISA first team mention. Pawlyshyn was the team captain for UW-Oshkosh, which compiled a 14-2-3 record. The Titans closed the season with a school-record 16-game unbeaten streak.

In 1990, UW-Oshkosh lost just two matches as it won 11 and participated in four double-overtime ties. The Titans shut out their first three opponents, along with perfect defensive performances in four of their final five matches. Pawlyshyn counted 12 assists and three goals on his way to 18 points and All-WISA first team recognition.

The first of Pawlyshyn’s NCAA Division III honors came in 1989. After he tallied 12 assists and scored eight goals for 28 points, he was named to the NCAA Division III All-Mideast Region second team. UW-Oshkosh started the season 8-0-1 on its way to a 13-3-2 record.

UW-Oshkosh’s finest year came when Pawlyshyn was a freshman. The Titans won their opening eight matches and finished the 1988 season with a 15-1-2 record. It was the only year Pawlyshyn didn’t receive All-WISA first team status, but he still compiled 13 assists and five goals for 23 points.

The Totino-Grace (Minn.) High School graduate finished his four-year UW-Oshkosh career with 25 goals. His school-record 52 career assists currently ranks fifth in NCAA Division III history. Pawlyshyn, who served as an assistant coach on the Titans’ 1992 team, also sits fourth in school annals with 102 career points. During his playing career, the Titans compiled a 53-8-11 record.

After leaving UW-Oshkosh, Pawlyshyn joined the Milwaukee Wave Professional Soccer Club in 1994. He then helped win the National Amateur Cup as a member of the Milwaukee Bavarian Soccer Club in 2002.

Currently, Pawlyshyn is the vice president of marketing at U.S. Bancorp Fund Services. The 1994 UW-Oshkosh graduate plays soccer on a regular basis while living in Wauwatosa with his wife, Wendy.