Bio

Braugeor Zeitler didn’t have the traditional four-year college career. Playing men’s tennis for UW-Oshkosh in 1957, 1960, 1961 and 1963, his performance on the court was also anything but ordinary.

Zeitler graduated from Fond du Lac Goodrich High School and immediately thrived at UW-Oshkosh. During his freshman season, he tallied an 11-2 singles record and was named the Titans’ Most Valuable Player. Although Zeitler was defeated in the WIAC Tournament, he would not lose again for the next six years.

Zeitler didn’t compete during the 1958 and 1959 seasons because of work obligations. Returning to the court in 1960, he was unstoppable. Zeitler played No. 1 singles and finished the season with a perfect 10-0 record. Due to WIAC restrictions, Zeitler could only play in one bracket at the league tournament. He chose No. 1 doubles, where Bill Simon joined him for a 6-1, 6-4 victory over a tandem from UW-La Crosse in the title match. Zeitler and Simon went 11-0 for the season as the Titans captured the WIAC championship.

In 1961, Zeitler captured the WIAC No. 1 singles title. He rolled through a flawless regular season and gained the league championship with his 12-0 record. Zeitler also played on UW-Oshkosh’s top doubles team that qualified for the NAIA Championship.

The Wisconsin National Guard called Zeitler to active duty in 1962. While stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington, he was still able to display his talents. Zeitler won the base’s individual championship with a 6-2, 6-0, 6-1 decision over Roman Jimenez.

Zeitler’s senior year of 1963 featured another perfect regular season. At the WIAC Tournament, he defeated his first four singles opponents by a combined score of 48-7. Zeitler then topped UW-La Crosse’s Jim Stenson, 6-1, 6-3, in the final. That victory sent him to the NAIA Championship, where he compiled a 1-1 record. For his career, Zeitler owned a 53-3 record in singles play.

After earning his bachelor’s degree from UW-Oshkosh in 1964, Zeitler obtained two more degrees in art. He was an art teacher at Oshkosh West High School from 1972-99, while also spending time as a tennis pro at several local clubs.

Zeitler utilized his experience as the Oshkosh West High School tennis coach. He led the boys team from 1972-2003 and the girls squad from 1987-2003. During that time, both squads won two Fox Valley Association championships. In 1999, The Appleton Post-Crescent named Zeitler as its Boys Tennis Coach of the Year.

Zeitler continued to play after college, winning the Wisconsin Open Doubles Tournament with Kip Whitlinger in 1967. He remains a lifetime member of UW-Oshkosh’s Alumni Association, Titan Booster Club and National “O” Club. Earlier this year, the WIAC named Zeitler to its All-Centennial Men’s Tennis team.

Zeitler and his wife, Donna, live in Pine River. They have two children, including daughter Jancee who played women’s tennis for the Titans.